Klarinet Archive - Posting 000042.txt from 1998/01

From: DGross1226 <DGross1226@-----.com>
Subj: Re: The Leblanc 340 Curved Contrabass
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 11:27:18 -0500

In a message dated 98-01-02 05:21:01 EST, you write:

<< I was wondering if anyone on the list has had experience using the Leblanc
340 Contrabass. (It's the curved silver one).>>

Yes, I've been playing one regularly for about 7 years now.

<< Are there any cleaning devices or things to be aware of while playing?
(Please note, this is the updated model that doesn't break in two. Why they
updated it so it doesn't split, go figure...)>>

They do "break in two" but the two halves are normally left assembled. The
only time I had to take mine apart was when a horn that I had borrowed slipped
off its peg and bent the main tube at about a 15 degree angle and had to have
it straightened out. It's basically a socket mechanism with a hinged,
threaded rod which is tightened with a wing nut.

<< Are there any mouthpiece preferences, or would any standard contrabass
mouthpiece work? (There isn't a huge selection out there anyway).>>

The original LeBlanc mpc is very large and I found that only Van Doren reeds
are large enough. The new contra-alto/contrabass mpcs from the Woodwind
Company work just fine. I play on an old VITO that was refaced by Tom
Ridenaur when he was at LeBlanc. And if you won't tell anyone, I use good old
Rico's on my contra. Also, Rovner makes ligatures for both contra alto and
contrabass horns.

<< Also, a question about how it sounds. Has anyone heard it played
specifically?>>

I understand that in England the contrabass clarinets are called "pedal
clarinets" because they emulate the sound of pedal notes on a pipe organ. I
can tell you for sure, that I once played a low written F on the contrabass
horn in a Richard Strauss piece and the entire horn section some 20 feet away
felt the note thru their chairs because the horn was resonating so well with
the stage floor.

<<Would it be best to use a neckstrap, the stand, or both?>>

After my initial disaster with a borrowed contra, I use both neckstrap and the
peg. However the peg is pretty unstable. Perhaps one of the new "Weight
Lifter" stands might be a better option.

Jason, if you have any more specific questions, I'd be more than glad to
answer them personally so we don't use up too much bandwidth on KLARINET.

Don Gross
La Canada, California