Klarinet Archive - Posting 000302.txt from 1998/06

From: "Jay D. Webler" <webler@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] LeBlanc Sonata vs Selmer Centered Tone vs Buffet E-12
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 21:46:18 -0400

Kenneth,

I just went through this process two weeks ago. I tried the E-12, R-13, Leblanc Sonata, and Leblanc Elite. I found that
the only real way to make the final decision was doing a side by side comparison. Unfortunately, unles your extremely
lucky, one music store won't carry both lines. Someone had loaned me there very old R-13 and I was able to do this test
and decided on the R-13. If you can get a side by side test and have someone you know play the horns while you listen
this will be very helpful. When my teacher played each horn I was able to get a different perspective on the sound.
With the Buffet I heard (as many other people have) an instrument that projects much better then the Leblancs.
Concerning the E-12; I liked that instrument very much but was not able to do the same test. The sound is still the
Buffet sound and the intonation was as good as the Leblanc Sonata and the Elite. (The intonation was tested with the
same tuner.) I don't envy you this decision and we should only go through it once, unless we're just rolling in dough.
That's whiy I finally decided to go the extra change and get the better horn, I figured that if I keep this horn 30 years (like
my previous horn) it comes out to about 85 dollars per year.

One last thing I want to say then I will leave. Check to make sure that you are comfortable with fingering on the Sonata.
I found that the first hole on the upper section (F#) was offset slightly, which drove me nuts. I was told that this was
done for people with small hands. I used the Weber Concerto #2 when testing the Clarinet and it took me ten minutes to
get adjust to this before I could even play it. I ended up only covering up half the hole. I did not notice this on the Elite
or the Concerto. My teacher noticed this also. If it doesn't bother you than, "never mind".

Jay Webler
webler@-----.net
On Mon, 08 Jun 1998 17:09:43 -0400, Kenneth Wolman wrote:

>When I see some bonus money at the end of the year (I pre-plan:-), I'm
>considering another clarinet. I can't afford to nor do I need to go the
>whole distance into something like an R-13 or Opus, but I'm considering a
>Sonata or E-12. Does anyone have any idea of how these stack up against
>the Centered Tone I have now, and which I might just give to my
>girlfriend's kid.
>
>Ken
>

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