Klarinet Archive - Posting 000103.txt from 1999/04

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: SV: [kl] Leblancs :(
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 12:55:18 -0500

Bert Amten wrote:

> Interesting, because I am just now looking at one Opus Bb and one Opus A clarinet and they are brown!
>

Aha, so you have found not one but two colorful Leblancs! ;^)

According to Leblanc, one of the differences between the Opus and the Concerto is that the Opus is made
from unstained grenadilla (so color will vary) while the wood used in the Concerto is stained. I guess
this is how Leblanc can say both that the two models are "acoustical twins" and that the Opus has more
color, is brighter, warmer, etc. (I'm on shaky ground here. Is brown "brighter" than black? "warmer"?
It seems definitely more chocolate but we're talking about a licorice stick.) Beware of people with
marketing degrees! ;^)

Regarding Dave B's comment, Leblanc's statement may mean that they use more dense wood in the Opus than
the Concerto or it may not. They don't really say. The only differences they identify are: (1)
auxiliary Ab/Eb key on the Opus, (2) unstained aged grenadilla (Opus) vs. aged grenadilla (Concerto), (3)
silver plated keys standard (Opus) vs. nickel plated keys standard (Concerto -- silver plated keys an
option, add $250 list [$120 at Woodwind and Brasswind]). Then, of course, there is the price difference
-- the Opus (Bb) lists for $1800+ more than the Concerto (street price differential is about $1000).
Considering the apparent physical differences, the price difference seems excessive. Perhaps, there are
other features in the Opus that Leblanc considers trade secrets.

For those of you who are relatively new to the list, we've had extensive discussion in the past regarding
the effect of material (type and density of wood, wood vs. plastic, silver vs. nickel key plating, etc.)
on sound. Detail is in the archive. In short, some people believe these factors significantly affect
sound, others (FWIW, I fit mostly into this latter category) do not. Theories abound, supporting
scientific evidence does not.

Best regards,
Jack

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org