 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2013-04-29 20:43
Hi! I play on Selmer Series 9 clarinet it sounds good and everything is ok. I use Fatboy, Protege, and Clark Fobes barrels with it. And I can buy Leblanc Bliss clarinet for 700$ (Almost new).
Who can give me good advice, because I`ve never played on Bliss and I don`t know will it better or not?
THank You!
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-04-29 23:46
"Better" is a very subjective quality. Personally I prefer the old large bore Selmer clarinets as I can play them with good intonation and I like the sound of them. I've tried many other clarinets and haven't yet found anything I liked better. That's just me though. Some people may like the Bliss better as it is a more modern instrument compared to the Series 9. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try the Bliss and see if you like it better.
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-04-29 23:58
Which model? The L210NS is the grenadilla model with the nickle silver keys. The L310NS is the composite with a grenadilla barrel. The L320NS is totally composite.
Now that you're confused about the models, one other thing you should know -- the "original" Backun version is labeled "LB" instead of "L." The barrels were made in Canada, while the instrument was made by the LeBlanc Division of Conn-Selmer. There was a problem with the Backun made barrels, in that they were a bit tight and some of them split where the Tenon joins the receiver (Mortice). LeBlanc made good on every one of these. That being said, I recommend that if you buy any clarinet, make sure it's set up by a good technician to make sure it fits together, plays well and is adjusted.
The black nickle plating on the keys look cool, BUT they wear very quickly and some of the keys flake badly. Again LeBlanc stands by it with the 10 year warranty, but save yourself the hassle and choose the Nickle-Silver (shiny) plating.
I play the L310NS (grenadilla barrel) and love it. The mouthpiece is pretty standard for a student MP and I upgraded to the Ridenour Z MP and a VD M30. I like the Ridenour better. I also found a good deal on a Cocobola 66mm Backun Prestige Barrel, MOBA Barrel and Grenadilla Bell. (Yeah, I'm crazy, but the deal was too good to pass up.)
The original equipment is nice, because I live in Montana and the air is very dry so composite has its advantages. The composite has a great tone. Intonation is very good, though can be a bit piercing in the altissimo from A and above. (This could just be my technique as a beginner). My favorite combination is the Ridenour MP, Prestige Cocobola Barrel, Backun Grenadilla Bell.
The price sounds right. Again, just make sure someone, who knows what they are doing, goes over the clarinet. The other question is what is the return policy.
Tristan
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-04-30 10:38
The Series 9 is a pro level clarinet, whereas the Bliss is marketed as an intermediate instrument. But that's purely academic depending what you want from a clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2013-04-30 19:23
To Taras12
I want buy Leblanc Bliss LB 210 with black nickel keys.
Why this clarinets were discounted?
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-01 01:29
The black nickle finish does not hold up as well as the bright "silver" finish. The finish flakes off. While the instrument is very playable, it looks bad. It was a neat idea to do this type of plating, because it looked cool. The acidity and oil on the sweat did not mix well.
Julian Bliss aimed these models as an affordable quality instrument. He worked with the LeBlanc division and Morrie Backun to design this clarinet. You can find more about the history from Dave Kessler's website (Kesslermusic.com).
Tristan
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Author: Bragon
Date: 2013-05-01 02:07
That’s right, the original black finish of the Bliss wears out rather soon, but it never gets to the dull copper base as with the normal nickel finish. The result is a very bright finish (that one may like it better than the original in fact), maybe from the higher chrome content of the alloy. In my hands, this finish is more resistant than the nickel one.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-01 14:53
I don't think there's chrome in the alloy, only the black nickel flash wears off to reveal the nickel plate beneath it. I've seen this on Keilwerth black nickel plated SX90R saxes as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bragon
Date: 2013-05-02 00:02
Well, as for the chrome content of the Bliss alloy, please refer to http://www.kesslermusic.com/blog/?p=40.
But Chris P may be right, the name “Black Chrome” given sometimes to that alloy may not reflect its real composition. Anyway, my point was that the finish is a lot better than the regular nickel finish. I ate the nickel finish of my fist B12 Buffet clarinet to the copper base in about six months, but my Bliss clarinet still has its bright finish (not the original black one though) more than two years after use.
Claude
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-02 01:05
Regardless, these are fine instruments. I've played my L310 for 5 months, and I have been able to produce the "real" clarinet tone. The key action and feel is wonderful. You also can't beat the 10 year warranty
Tristan
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2013-05-03 15:29
Vova:
I own a Bliss (LB210/wood) that I bought new and, it is a good clarinet. It is not a great clarinet (like the R13 I recently bought), but a "good" clarinet (and is priced accordingly).
If your Selmer is working "good" for you, I'd stick with it and later parlay that $700 your thinking of spending on the Bliss, to buy a pro level horn (new or used).
Ultimately, the clarinet market is pretty efficient in terms of pricing and, in my opinion, you're usually going to get what you pay for. Want a big improvement over your Selmer; you'll need to add some more money to that $700 (US dollars).
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Author: Rickwbliss
Date: 2013-05-04 01:42
I bought a LeBlanc Bliss LB210S with silver keys new for $700 with shipping, so I am not sure if yours is a really good deal, the silver plating is better than the Black Nickel one, cause the black nickel ones wear off. I bought mine on eBay, and it is true that the barrels are a bit tight, and the upper joint tenon doesn't fit exactly so it cracked, but it doesn't affect the playing in any way. I love my clarinet, but Series 9s are also great. Although the Series 9 is a "pro" clarinet, but that is rated by 1970s standards, so I am not sure it fits tdays standards. The series 9 is good for jazz tho. You must also consider that a clarinet that is about 40 years old WILL have some problems unless you overhaul it once two years or something, so yeah. the Bliss is a good player, but the tenons is a HUGE problem. It some times doesn't fit all at, and it takes me 10 minutes with a red hand to make the bridge fit. But you need to take note that the Bliss is designed by Backun and it is a custom looking clarinet. It's also got the "Voicing Groove" bell, and I gotta so that the bell helped a lot when I tries to get from the registered B to the altissmo G. While other voicing groove bells cost 375 at least. Hope this helps!
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-04 02:51
Rickwbliss wrote:
> I bought a LeBlanc Bliss LB210S... It [the Barrel] some times doesn't fit at all >and it takes me 10 minutes with a red hand to make the bridge fit. But
> you need to take note that the Bliss is designed by Backun and
> it is a custom looking clarinet. It's also got the "Voicing
> Groove" bell, and I gotta so that the bell helped a lot when I
> tries to get from the registered B to the altissmo G. While
> other voicing groove bells cost 375 at least. Hope this helps!
You purchased the original model LB not the L series. The barrels were made by Backun in Canada. The remainder of the clarinet was made in the US, then
assembled here. Essentially, the barrel is an "after market" add on. Currently the whole clarinet L Series is made in the US.
You point out some very important things.
1) You purchased something off eBay...as is. Look for a return policy.
2) You didn't get someone to set-up and adjust the clarinet, unless it was so advertised on eBay. You might want to take your new purchase to your local music store's repairman and have him/her look it over.
3) If something doesn't fit right, don't force it. Take it to someone who knows how to adjust your instrument. For example, I bought an after-market barrel for my Bliss L310. The receiver (mortice) for the upper joint tenon needed to be widened by about 1/2 mm in diameter. My repairman showed me how to gently take 220/400/600 wet/dry sandpaper and make the final adjustment.
4) The fit of the bridge, wow, that sounds like the instrument had some major man-handling prior to you getting it. It sounds like whoever owned it before you got it and really didn't know the basics of clarinet assembly.
Tristan
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