Klarinet Archive - Posting 000321.txt from 1997/05

From: Martin Marks <mmarks@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Tuning and Reeds
Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 00:07:36 -0400

IAt 11:17 PM 5/9/97 EDT, you wrote:
>Symphony models? Do you mean the Opus etc.?
>
>
>Kenneth Chin
>New York Youth Symphony
>Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division
>www.geocities.com/Vienna/2637/index.html (*****NEW*****)
>www.portfolio.3000.com/kennethchin --&-- www.tibn.com/kennethchin
>
>On Fri, 9 May 1997 18:10:29 -0400 (EDT) Jessica Phillips
><jp251@-----.edu> writes:
>>Are the new LeBlanc Symphony models priced yet?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>Jessica Phillips
>>
>>On Fri, 9 May 1997, Gary Hopkins wrote:
>>
>>> Matt, you are correct in the statement "the R-13 is not what
>>everyone says
>>> it is"...or I guess "was" would be more correct. The bore is
>>different than
>>> it was on earlier R-13's. Buffet increased the size of the bore at
>>about
>>> 150K serial number. Intonation and response both suffer greatly with
>>the
>>> larger bore. Even the addition of a reverse-taper barrel does not
>>make it
>>> right. Also, the wood starting around 130K really went to pot. I
>>don't
>>> believe that is the reason for the crack. You just managed to get a
>>joint
>>> that had a weak spot. Once properly pinned it should be as good or
>>better
>>> than new...better in that it probably won't crack again, or at least
>>not in
>>> the same spot. All in all, it is probably the best instrument for
>>the money
>>> available. The Leblanc Concerto is more expensive and IMHO a better
>>playing
>>> instrument. (Note: We sold a Concerto at Christmas and have just had
>>the
>>> upper joint replaced for the second time because of cracking. Texas
>>is not
>>> that cold in the winter.) I think people that like the older R-13
>>Buffet
>>> should try the Leblanc Infinite'. It is "supposed" to be the
>>"acoustic
>>> double" of the early R-13. I have played three for short periods of
>>time,
>>> and I think it is worth trying. It is also less expensive than the
>>either
>>> the Concerto or Buffet R-13.
>>>
>>> Yesterday, I talked with the Buffet (Boosey-Hawkes) District Rep. in
>>our
>>> store, and he is shipping one of the new "Vintage" model Buffets for
>>me to
>>> try out. I plan on taking it to Andy Crisanti to try out. If for
>>some
>>> reason you find the instrument you are playing now won't satisfy
>>you, my
>>> boss said I could sell any clarinet we have in stock for $150 above
>>our
>>> cost....plus shipping. This is something to think about for the
>>future.
>>>
>>> Gary Hopkins
>>>
>>> >I beielve its the r-13 itself. I alo play sharp on mine. I've
>>only been
>>> >using it for a few months and have encountered numerous problems
>>with it.
>>> >Including key positioning sharpness in the intonation and a few
>>other minor
>>> >technical glitched like the clation B sounds very stuffy. The wood
>>in the
>>> >upper joint cracked after the first month. I am beginning to
>>belive that the
>>> >r-13 is not all that everyone says it is. But I am very
>>inexperienced still
>>> >and am still learning. Does anyone else notice similiar problems
>>with their
>>> >r 13s
>>> >
>>> >//=++ C P=l=sik
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>I have a recently manufactured set of R13's (about 390,000 serial #'s) and
they tune at exactly
A440. They tune lower than any clarinets I have owned previously.
Mouthpieces can make
major pitch differences. The mouthpiece I use now requires shorter
barrels(65mm on Bb clarinet
and 64mm on A cl.) . Too many players play R13's in tune for anyone to
make a blanket statement
as to their being inferior.

Marty Marks
>>
>
>