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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: tictactux ★2017 Date:   2006-11-15 17:12 > Sometimes I thank my lucky stars that I'm poor . . .that makes me > immune to some of the more expensive GAS attacks. Sigh!! No it doesn't. It just makes you ponder about it a bit longer - by then the seizure usually is over. I've come to the bitter conclusion that it's me who is the weakest link in the sound chain. -- Ben

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: DressedToKill  Date:   2006-11-15 18:50 This is why I like you, B...you *get* it :-) For this thread's sake, I pulled out my Rapsodie just now, slapped my Backun barrel on it, played a few minutes up and down the horn...and have decided to use it on the job tonight instead of the Opus. I forgot how much RING there was in the sound...it'll be great against a cast of 24 *taking one for Team Rapsodie* ETA: Since this thread is ABOUT the Rapsodie, I took a few pics of mine for illustrative purposes. :-) Post Edited (2006-11-15 19:10)

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: Brenda Siewert  Date:   2006-11-16 14:55 So, Eu, did you buy a new Symphonie? The Backun one? If so, where did you get it? WWBW isn't getting it until March. If not, which Symphonie? I owned a Symphonie VII (the rosewood model) a few years back and it was gorgeous! It didn't sound quite as pretty as it looked, however, so I sold it. I'll definitely give a report when the Cadenza arrives. I'm excited about it. It comes with 2 Backun barrels. I have a Backun bell that I use on my Opus II, so I'll try it with and without that. This thread only served to get me to go ahead on what I had been thinking about anyway. I printed out a photo of the Cadenza a couple of weeks ago and had been thinking of getting one. It's always fun to shop with friends! YoungFl, let us know what you get and what you like about it. The Rapsodie is less expensive, but the Cadenza offers more upgrades (like the Backun barrels). So, it's a budget decision. However, I always like to remind young players that you should get the best you can afford.

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: DressedToKill  Date:   2006-11-16 19:06 Rosie IS the name of my rosewood clarinet...I just thought that what you meant by "company for your harpsichord" was that your harpsichord was also rosewood. Oops (and the cheapest professional quality bassoon I know of is about 10K. 4-5K would get you a decent student instrument, at least if you were going secondhand.) My, we've strayed from the original topic, haven't we! I used my Rapsodie in my show last night, and it was fantastic. I had some friends in the audience, and they thought it sounded gorgeous (and not out of tune at all!). So, there you are... (Although, YoungFl, if you can afford a Cadenza, there is no contest with the Rapsodie...the Cadenza is an entirely different species of clarinet!)

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: YoungFlarinet  Date:   2006-11-18 05:22 Thanks a load! I'm supposed to go tomorrow to try out a few different kinds (not sure what yet, it's at some music store in the county I've been to once). That page helped. I'm still just push and pull between my mind set on the Cadenza and Rapsodie. I'm a little bummed out right now because I just got back from our last football game, which means that we only have the Outback bowl left. I love marching, and I'll only have one year left now. :( But at least I'm getting a new clarinet! ...just felt I needed to vent a little. I'm so excited about trying out the clarinets tomorrow!!!

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: Brenda Siewert  Date:   2006-11-18 19:33 I'll do my best to give a good report on the Cadenza. Remember, it's the lesser of the 3 Backuns. I don't have time to spend on it today, but Monday will be a good time to try some more. The wood isn't as pretty as my Opus II. But, as I said, remember it's not the most expensive of the trio of new Leblanc/Backuns. I'll try to get a few good photos. The barrels are one 66mm cocobolo and one 65mm grenadilla. There is a distinct difference in sound in each. It's hard to say which I prefer. I swapped back and forth between my Backun bell and the stock bell and really think the stock one gives the best sound and volume. So, maybe it is set up to maximize its qualities as it is without having to buy additional accessories. That would be a good thing. I reread some old threads about the Cadenza and Leblanc/Backun clarinets and found Morrie Backun's comments specifically about the Cadenza. He was answering questions about whether or not the Cadenza was similar to the Legacy and Symphonie. He said: "The bore design is different, the toneholes are different sizes with different undercutting, the key designs are from different jigs and fixtures (with a very different feel and touchpiece placement) the venting is different, the springing is different, the case is different, the Cadenza has a unique mouthpiece designed for it, the thumb rest is different...........other than that...there is some similarity!" I'll do a full evaluation soon on my new Cadenza. Post Edited (2006-11-18 20:00)

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: YoungFlarinet  Date:   2006-11-19 00:02 I'm disapointed. The store only has two clarinets that you can try, neither of which were close to what I'm thinking of (basically beginners). What's even more disapointing is that they had let a middle school borrow them for a week. So I have yet to try anything. -The good news is I got a car today. Completely not clarinet related. I'm just really happy.-

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: frank  Date:   2006-11-20 21:47 When the Backun products stop being a fad, the R-13 will still be there as a great horn which also happens to keep it's value better over time. It's only a matter of time before Leblanc starts offering a "blowout sale" on all the various Opie and Backun products to make way for even new and improved, better instruments. That's my opinion... the $1,800-$2,000 plain R-13 is still an awesome value and when selected properly, can be equal to or greater than any Rossi, Chadash, Backun, Opus, Eaton, or Signature. It's funny, I play in tune and produce virtually the same sound on my Rossi, Chadash, Signature, R-13 and any other well made pro horn. Wonder why that is. The same goes with blowing $600 on a mouthpiece that does nothing more than a good Vandoren, Smith, or Hawkins. You said you were on a budget, so consider that Carbonare and Manasse play on Vandoren mouthpieces and Selmer Recital/R-13 respectively. They are amazing! If you have the cash, buy all you can get. It's fun! That said, spending $4,500 more on a clarinet that won't make a difference is a waste of money. You will not sound 4,500 times better. Trust me. I say it all the time on here, but again quoting the illustrious pop culture icon Flava Flav of Public Enemy infamy... DON"T BELIEVE DA HYPE! Post Edited (2006-11-20 22:02)

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: frank  Date:   2006-11-22 15:56 Of course Donald...that's what I meant! I would have quoted you if I thought your statement was tongue in cheeck or suspect. You were right on! I guess marketing hype, without actually improving the product annoys me no matter what product it is. "New and Improved" slogans are scattered throughout the land here. Truth be told, how much improvement has the Boehm clarinet made since it's debut in circa 1849? Other than a few tweaks in keywork (better materials now, but worse wood) and a few MINOR bore adjustments in some brands (yes, brands, not all manufacturers use the same bore and tone hole dimensions), nothing has changed. There are plenty of clarinets from late 1800's to early1900's that play far better in tune and with a better sound than some select pro horns. How could this be you ask? I will say it in caps... THE CLARINET IS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR WELL OVER 150 YEARS. Why? Design limitations. Look only as far as the Benade NX clarinet designed by eminent physicist Arthur Benade. He was an amateur clarinetist who designed a clarinet based on acoustical formula. The result? An awful sounding and playing instrument. So, by the Boehms inherent design, in order to sound like the clarinet we know and love today, it must remain close to the original. What does that mean? Well, it means that all the manufacturers who charge 4k+ MORE per horn and claim a "perfect intonation" or "amazing sound far better than brand x" are simply selling snake oil. All I ask anyone to do is listen to vintage recordings of players like Bonade, Marcellus, McLane, Cahouzac, Leferbre, Wright, DeSantis, Gomez, etc. Their sounds are amazing and compare favorably to any top professional today. I know for a fact that Bonade didn't play Backun...so he must suck (sarcasm). I do realize I've had a question and answer session with myself. I'm never wrong that way! lol Buy the R-13 if you want a great pro horn and resale value in the U.S., and budget is your concern. I don't make the rules, I just follow the market.

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: frank  Date:   2006-11-23 09:17 Tony, Recordings aside, the players I mentioned are legendary for their sounds and musicianship. There are plenty of documented articles and I am sure some people alive today which witnessed their greatness. I liked what you said about regression. It was dead on. Cool...that should mean Backun is overcharging by $5,500, not $4,000 like I previously mentioned. I am sorry. I love all the accounts of the instruments Brenda provides and I enjoy playing and owning all types of pro horns and acessories. I just don't buy into the nonsense some manufacturers dish out. I also disdain misguided sheep mentality, mainly from amateur players, but some pros as well. This is not an educated guess or me wanting to play devil's advocate. I have come to these conclusions by studying the history of the instrument and through years of playing professionally AND hearing the same thing from other pros. Be advised, Ricardo Morales is a self proclaimed gadget man. Look at all the different stuff he has played on and endorsed over the years. He flits around from one thing to the next. He can play anything and sound awesome. I personally would believe more hype from a person who played the same thing for years and years, then suddenly switched. A similar scenario would be trusting a playboy type, like Casanova for relationship advice. Yes, he may know women - lots of beautiful women, and loved them all - but what does he know about being faithful to one? Would you trust the opinon of someone who couldn't commit? Wonder what he will be playing in a few years when the Backun fad runs dry. Time will tell. Again, remember that when you are good or great, you can play virutally anything and sound like yourself.

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Re: Leblanc Rapsodie

Author: YoungFlarinet  Date:   2007-05-05 16:10 Well, I know this is an old thread now, but I decided to come back and inform you guys of my decisions. I got a Cadenza a few months ago. I say one of the best decisions of my life! The extra resonance bell doesn't seem like it would do much, but it sounds so good you probably couldn't imagine. I'll try to get some pictures up or something, maybe a recording. My recomendation, if you can afford it, is the Leblanc Cadenza.

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