 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eddie
Date: 2003-02-05 05:38
Has anyone had a chance to try out these 2 new horns and compare them to the older versions? I looked at the Leblanc sales literature on the Concerto 2 - it sounds like the main change is some reshaped keywork.
The only two complaints I've heard about the Opus are that it costs too much and that it gets out of adjustment more often than other horns. I'm hoping the new revision might address the key problems. Also worth noting, the Opus 2 is currently available at a more reasonable price (<$2000) than the original Opus. I'm not sure if this is an introductory special, but the price difference is big enough to investigate whether one is better than the other.
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Author: Jim Mougey
Date: 2003-02-05 12:04
Eddie: Just spent a week playing beside the Opus 2 and the original Opus. Both players agreed the cosmetic change was really all they could tell. Both horns had warm sounds and the upper register was free blowing. The Opus 2 player changed from a Selmer CT and the original Opus player changed from an R13. Scale intonation was excellent, but these players are very fine performers and could make adjustments with ease. The Opus 2 player was using a Vandoren 14 mouthpiece. If I had the money......!
Jim (M)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-05 12:58
I've played each of these. The Opus II I played at International Musical Suppliers was nothing special. My regular Opus was much better. I did have to have some set-up done on it, but the key action was smooth and wonderful and the tone magnificent!
The $2,000.00 price you mentioned is no doubt a special sale because that's right at dealer's cost on the Opus II. Probably had the instrument in stock for a while and are needing to move it.
The intonation is usually quite good--a bit above the R-13, although the upper registers tend to have a more "covered" sound than the Buffets. I loved playing the Opus. And, if you're wanting to try one now is the time because dealers are having a hard time selling the upper level instruments and quite a few have them at drastic reductions.
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2003-02-05 13:54
Wow! Music123.com has the Opus 2 listed for $1699 on their website.
Best regards,
John Elison
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2003-02-05 14:06
Interestingly, that's $100 less than their $1799 price for the Concerto 2.
What gives?
John Elison
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-05 14:40
Maybe too many players are opting for their Buffet's over the Leblanc's (such as myself). And, I know of one very prominent local clarinetist (female) that was treated quite rudely by the folks at the Leblanc facility in Kenosha, WI. LeBlanc's declining sales may also be a result of Tom Ridenour's departure. He was single handedly responsible for initially converting many of our top players to the (then) new Concerto/Opus line and in promoting those models to the general clarinet community.
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Author: Eddie
Date: 2003-02-05 15:02
Thanks for the info. Currently, Woodwind/Brasswind has the original Opus at $2800 and the Opus 2 at $1700. Usually, instrument makers structure their prices pretty simply so that you pay the most for the best, but in this case something odd must be going on. I doubt that the Opus 2 would be the 'cheapo' version of the Opus; companies usually do a good job protecting a brand image.
I haven't actually seen the 'A' versions of these 2 new models. Maybe those aren't out yet, or aren't selling in quantity enough to get put in catalogs.
Thanks again!
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Author: James
Date: 2003-02-05 18:02
The only differences between the first and second generations of the opus/concerto line is the key work. The key work is infinatly better than it has been known to be in the past. With the combination of the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention and the IMEA All-State festival I have had several oportunities to play on leblancs again.
Ironically enough I tended not to like the actually acoustics of the concerto two's that I have tried. more of the finer clarinets that I have tried, were the first generation of opus's. Don't get me wrong, the concerto II's are great horns with better keywork but I was really partial to the opus's I have tried.
- Jame
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2003-02-05 22:03
I tried the Opus II from a display that was set up in a local music dealer (one that does a lot of sheet music sales and band instruments). I used the same combination mpc and reed that I was using at home on my R13.
The Opus2 had good intonation and blew much more freely than a Selmer 10S that I also demo'd.(yeah, I know..."apples and oranges") The keys felt just OK, nothing special.
Did it stack up against the R13? Not really. While the sound was rich and nice, it did not seem to have the resonance of the Buffet.
Now this was just one horn that was stuck on a display that I couldnt resist trying. Others might be better.....add obligatory legal jargon here......
Hope this helps.
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Author: Carmen Izzo
Date: 2003-02-06 02:44
YAY! My horns! I have a new COncerto II B Flat clarinet. Let me tell you, I think it is fantastic. I have played many buffets, and of course there was a difference, but i swing Leblanc, and love em!The keys are excellent. Currently, i really need to have the brannens look at my horn and adjust the keys (new pads too...) but they are really an improvement! So at least give them a try, and you may want one, you may not. Its all about the player!
Carmen
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-02-06 06:11
I would like to know if the same results would be achieved with a blindfold.
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