Klarinet Archive - Posting 000396.txt from 1995/10

From: vanbuul@-----.COM
Subj: LeBlanc Clarinets
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 1995 05:45:00 -0400

On Fri, 13 Oct 1995 Tom Ascher wrote:
>
> John Baetons mentions "That Leblanc Concerto looks better everyday".
>
> Well, you don't even need the Concerto. I just received my second
> Leblanc Infinity, an A to match the Bb I got a month or so ago. I have to
> say that this pair of Leblancs clearly plays better, has better workmanship
> than the comparable Buffet R13's I've tried.
>
> I think you will find much greater consistency in the Leblanc's than the
> Buffets. You still may find an R13, or a Prestige, etc., that you clearly
> prefer to any of the Leblancs. But based on my experience and what I've heard
> from more than one dealer, the Leblancs are clearly worth a try.
>
> =====================================================================
> Tom Ascher Internet: u15310@-----.edu
> University of Illinois at Chicago Phone: (312) 413-3665
>

I am looking for a new clarinet. Today I play on a LeBlanc LX.

Last week I tried several LeBlanc clarinets from a demonstration case of the
LeBlanc importer in Holland. One of the people working there is a member of the
same symphonic band as me (Philips' Symphonic Band).

I liked the Concerto because of its comfortable playing. Very responsive.
However, when I let somebody else play on the several types of clarinets, I
found the sound he made on the Concerto rather 'narrow' (sorry, I can't find out
a more precise description).

When listening to this person (also a member of our Band) the Opus stood out
with its very broad sound. When he changed from the Concerto to the Opus, it was
like going from living room acoustics to a concert hall.

Another one which we all liked was the Sonata. This is supposed to be a student
model, but we judged it definitely as one of the better LeBlancs.

However, I think I'm going to buy the Opus.

When the person working with LeBlanc Holland heard this, he offered me to
arrange a visit to the LeBlanc factories near Paris this week. So, now I'm going
to Paris on wednesday and thursday! If anyone of you has something he/she always
wanted to know about LeBlanc but were afraid to ask, tell me and maybe I can
look for an answer. And I'm definitely going to ask about the Octocontrabass
clarinet (or whatever that monster is named)!

Luuk van Buul

   
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