Klarinet Archive - Posting 000678.txt from 2001/07

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Opus or Concerto
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 19:48:39 -0400

Ian Black wrote:
<<<...er what's an offset trill key? I play Buffet R13s and don't know
whether these have offset trill keys or not. Can someone describe these
to me?>>>

. . . and Bill Hausmann replied,

<<<The are a Leblanc exclusive (which includes Noblet and Vito) It
describes the way the higher trill keys go directly over (or "jump") the
lower trill key pad cups, instead of having the pad cups angle away from
the key the way others do to get out of the way of the higher keys. It
does allow for the trill key tone holes to remain higher up on the body,
where they are less prone to getting wet. Also, it makes for direct
up-and-down motion of the pad relative to the hole, making for a more
positive seal than with offset ones, which can get very iffy if there is
play in the mechanism.>>>

Leblanc used to market the Concerto with the "jump" trill keys under a
different name -- the "Eternite" I believe. The primary difference
between it and the "Infinite," which is advertised as having "more
youthful tone" and wider 12ths than the Concerto/Opus is apparently the
placement of the octave vent; the "Infinite," which is still marketed,
has a lower vent placement similar to the R-13. =20

I've been told that the Infinite is basically a clone of the venerable
R-13, replicating the lower vent placement even though it's an acoustic
mistake. The Concerto/Opus has the higher vent placement (and related
better 12ths) similar to the Buffet S-1, Festival, Vintage and maybe one
of the Prestige models, too.

In any event, they don't sell the Eternite any more. But you can order
the Concerto with either the offset trill keys (Model 1189S) or with the
"jump" keys (Model 1189SL). At least that's what their web page says;
see
http://www.gleblanc.com/pdf/catpages/pdf/leb-Bb.pdf.

It would be interesting to compare the two side by side. Other things
being equal, I wouldn't expect much of a sonic difference. If there's
less water in the side Eb/Bb, though, that would sure be a good thing!

kjf

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