 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rina
Date: 2001-04-18 08:20
I am interested in buying the Leblanc Opus clarinet, but have yet to try it (waiting for the shipment to comein). I am interested in what people think of it. Is it comparable to the Buffet R-13's or is that just advertising? What sort of tone does it produce, and what's the intonation like with the low Eand F? Also, do people find the key work as comfortable as the older series of Leblanc clarinets like the L300? Any other comments either positive or negative? it's very hard to find a person in Australia who has tried a LeBlanc, as the Symphony Orchestras all use Buffet instruments, and that seems to be the "only" clarinet worth buying for a lot of teachers.
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-04-18 11:35
Oh, I can't wait to hear the responses to your question. I expect you'll hear from Dave Spiegalthal who doesn't own one but will likely tell you the Opus isn't worth the price, that it's "made from the same woodpile as all the other Leblancs", yada yada. However, as the owner of an Opus and an R13, and using the "in my opinion" qualifier so that I don't get bashed for saying so, I think the Opus sounds and plays better than the R13. My teacher immediately noticed an improvement in intonation which then caused him to see that I was using a new horn. Also, the Eflat key comes in handy, although I am training myself to be careful and not hit it when I'm going for a C# with the left hand. Bottom line: R13 is also a fine clarinet, and ultimately it's a personal preference thing. If you have the ability to play both of them before purchasing, you should do so. Also be aware there are variations among supposedly identical R13's and Opuses, so it's even better if you can hand pick from among many of them. Good luck.
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-18 12:02
why not try it first, form your own opinion, then look for opinions.
I couldnt tell you what I think about them... I do know that some people are good on one, and some not ( like matching horn with player or the mouthpiece / barral with the horn, as in a matched set )
I wish I had the time and energy to try out every brand and model... but dont.....
barley have time to do the mouth pieces....
Mike
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-04-18 13:43
Irwin,
No comment about the Opus, but please at least spell my name right when you bash me. Thank you.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-18 13:54
Leblanc, Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Rossi, Howarth, Fox, Wurlitzer, Patricoloa, et al. make wonderful clarinets. You're trying out one of them - it may be the best for you, but don't discount the others out there. Involve your teacher if you can in your choice - he or she may have a less biased view of the clarinet (or more biased - that happens, too).
Irwin,
I don't think Dave ever made any comment about the "same woodpile" - indeed, Leblanc claims the Opus comes from more dense wood than the Concerto, and in that regard I don't think anyone has ever said otherwise. The only thing that I <b>know</b> for a fact is that both Tom Ridenour and and Richard Hawkins, both designers for Leblanc, have said the Opus & Concerto are identical acoustically. This was told to me <b>personally</b>, not through some 3rd party. Doesn't mean that people don't prefer the Opus for whatever reasons, both physical and psychological. It's a fine clarinet.
The whole thing reminds me of the car indistry. GMC and Chevy vans come down the same assembly line and are identical with the exception of a few interior trim pieces and the grill. However, GMC has a better reputation and better repair stats than Chevy - even though the assembly line workers don't know which model they're working on until the very end of the line.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-18 14:51
For the record--I'm the "same woodpile" guy and I got my info straight from Tom Ridenour's mouth, when he was still with LeBlanc. Just don't want Dave to get all the credit here. :>) Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: George
Date: 2001-04-18 15:18
"The whole thing reminds me of the car indistry. GMC and Chevy vans come down the same
assembly line and are identical with the exception of a few interior trim pieces and the
grill." Mark Charette
When I was shopping for a van, a salesman told me he had seen one with the GMC Safari logo on one side and the Chevy Voyager logo on the other. Not too much related to clarinets, tho.
George
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-18 15:19
As an owner of both the Opus and the Leblanc Symphonie VII as well as the LL and, until recently, the Concerto--I can tell you only wonderful things about the Opus. The Symphonie VII is also advertised as an acoustic "identical twin" of the Opus, but the definition of "acoustic" to the Leblanc Co. must not be what we think of when we think of acoustics because it is impossible for the rosewood of the Symphonie VII and the grenadilla wood of the Opus to make an identical tone. I think they are refering to the internal design of the instruments.
Anyway, I also owned (and recently sold to Bob Gardner) my Buffet R-13 Prestige that was hand-selected by my clarinet professor and a panel of professors in Paris, France at the Buffet factory. Out of 16 other clarinets, Dr. Sanders and the panel chose mine as the best of the bunch. I bought a new Opus a couple of years later because I was never satisfied with the tone in the altisimo on the Buffet. I finally decided to part with it even though it was a magnificent clarinet--the Opus simply outshined it in every area.
But, as Irwin and others have said, it's a matter of personal preference and pocketbook.
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Author: Kai
Date: 2001-04-18 15:48
I use a Concerto and so far, I am really happy with it.
However, from where I come from, everybody else uses Buffet and I am wondering whether those who use the Leblancs face any trouble 'blending' in with the rest.
Usually, it's not a problem for me in bands but when it's a orchestra or chamber thing, and I play with a one or 2 other Buffet players, the sound difference can be quite obvious.
Also, I have been using the Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and changed to a Richard Hawkins only very recently so I hope to start using it soon.
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-04-18 22:55
Dave, I appologize for attributing the "woodpile" comment to you. I guess I was reacting to the your previous threads regarding the Opus that were particularly directed to Brenda. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and those holding differing opinions are nonetheless obliged to respect the other person's right to have his or her opinion. I was raised to know better and promise to engage in appropriate netiquette in the future.
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-02 04:40
I know this subject is 15 years old and no one cares anymore, but I play a Leblanc Opus (professionally).
Wonderful clarinet; part of its excellence is in being voiced by a wonderful clarinetist who sold it to me (and every production horn would probably benefit voicing).
I play shows using a full range of low E to G3; very solid intonation across the range. The alt Eb should come on every clarinet; I use it all the time.
I play shows and I find it an excellent clarinet for blending, especially with three reeds in harmony. I can also sweeten the tone for playing Benny lead lines, when the part calls for it.
I was a dedicated Selmer guy for years and switched to the Opus. If I could find an Opus II I'd buy it (and if you have one to sell, let me know),
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Author: richard smith
Date: 2016-07-03 19:27
If Tom tuned and adjusted them, they are likely excellent. That applies to his TR147s and others I have owned , which includes all but the Opus, which I have not tried. Try before buy.
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-03 19:53
It was actually John Parrette in New York did the tuning.
It's great to say "try before you buy"...but unless you live in a populated area like NYC, LA or Chicago....this is not easy....locally, only student level or step-up horns are available for trying. Otherwise, I have to buy with a return policy (I just bought a Buffet Eb piccolo clarinet; wasn't any improvement over my current horn which I need to pack and ship back).
When WWBW still had a brick and mortar store, they once sent me 4 clarinets to try, on $100 deposit....not sure if I could do that today, and not sure I like the selection.
On one hand, I would like to sample the state of the art of current clarinet making...on the other, I have a hard time justifying $5K plus for a clarinet, when I've bought any number of (true...used) professional/elite horns for south of $2K.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-07-04 12:00
Opus II clarinets show up on Ebay 5 to 10 times a year. There are probably still some new-old-stock clarinets left too.
There is some variation between instruments so a return option on the expensive ones is recommended.
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Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2016-08-03 16:21
Last time I was in Willis Music in Lexington, they had an Opus II. Don't know if it's still there or not.
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-08-03 23:06
Not in their on-line inventory list.....
Moot...I found a Yamaha YCL-CSGII at an excellent price....I paired it with a Vandoren Black Diamond mouthpiece. Very precise sound and intonation.
I tried it out in a series of shows and the other clarinet player noticed the sound and intonation improvement.
So, not sure which clarinet is my primary and which is my backup.
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