 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2016-06-07 02:33
I just had all the pads changed, keys adjusted, and corks replaced on my new Opus. I've been playing a Yamaha 20C student clarinet for going on one year now. I'm finding that the Opus requires considerably more air (resistance?) than the student clarinet. Also, the fingering positions are off ever so slightly leading to tone hole closing problems.
Couple questions: 1) does the Leblanc indeed have more resistance than the student clarinet? and 2) is there a difference in fingering position among different clarinets.
I discovered that if I bend my knuckles just a bit higher on the Opus I can control the sound better.
I like the deep resonant sound on the Opus; I'm just a bit frustrated (squeaking again. Thought I was done with that).
Thanks
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-06-07 04:56
Are you using the same mouthpiece as with the Yamaha? That's where much of the resistance comes from.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-06-07 05:53
Well, also could be a poor seal job on the pads. Not every tech does a good job.
Or it could be ring height misadjustment, or the bridge key not being adjusted right, or the "A" key screw over tightened and allowing leaking from the "G#" key.
I'd recommend doing a suction test to check. Take the top joint and and place your left fingers over the holes. Place the heel of your right hand over the open end, place your lips on the near end (like you were about to play it like a trumpet), but instead of blowing out you suck in. You should feel the negative pressure against your fingers and it should hold (like a coke bottle on really good repair work) until you release at the mouth, and it should ideally make a pop.
Do that for the top and bottom joints. If it seals well that way, then you need to consider mouthpiece issues.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-06-07 06:50
For me, the Opus has high resistance -- more than I can deal with. This is a characteristic of Ridenour-designed clarinets. If you like it, you lean into it and just play. If you don't, you find it tiring and unresponsive.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-06-07 08:04
It's been a long time since I played the opus or concerto, but I remember the resistance being greater than the average clarinet I played.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2016-06-07 11:08
Yes, the Opus can feel resistant. Certainly more than a student clarinet. There are a many factors that have effect on the total resistance of your clarinet. Try softer reeds, try stronger reeds. Or find a new mouthpiece that reduces the 'feel' of resistance. It takes some time to get optimal results.
Keywork may indeed differ per brand and/or clarinet model. You will get used to it.
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2016-06-07 15:11
My experience is the other way round - I have an Opus and an old R13. Both have been serviced in the last couple of years. I find the Opus more free blowing (same mouthpiece and reed).
and the problem is - I still can't truly decide which one I prefer!
Post Edited (2016-06-07 15:17)
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-06-07 15:19
The Opus was designed to be more free blowing than any other Leblanc professional clarinet. The Concerto has more resistance.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-06-07 16:20
Johan -
My experience is exactly the opposite. I've never played an Opus that didn't fight me with resistance, but I've played several Concertos that felt just right.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-06-07 23:03
Ken,
I can't explain your experience. Resistance due to leakage is a factor when instruments are compared. Some first generation Opus instruments had resonators which can make it more difficult to fit the lowest three pads. I have removed those resonators on some instruments I have restored.
Besides what Tom Ridenour has said himself regarding the design (can't find the quote though), a measurement of the bore gives objective evidence that the Opus is more free blowing (although tone hole size and height matters too). The Concerto has more of a "choke" in the upper joint, whereas the Opus has a more smooth reverse conical bore shape.
I think the difference in resistance can be heard here:
Concerto A: http://picosong.com/ZjiX
Opus A: http://picosong.com/ZjiE
I once test played a Concerto and Opus side by side in a shop. The owner commented that the Opus didn't disturb him at all when customers played it, while the Concerto and all Buffets got very harsh in his ears after a while.
Post Edited (2016-06-07 23:04)
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-09-25 00:20
Correction: Having measured more Opus and Concerto (and Rapsodie/Ambiance/Infinite) bores I cannot say anything about the bore of the different Leblanc models. The variation between individual instruments is too great.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-09-26 21:31
Thank you, Luuk, for these links to older discussions. I have also read your report from a visit to the Leblanc factory in the mid 90s which I found very interesting. I'd appreciate if you could click my signature and contact me on e-mail for a few a questions I have.
I will check the weight of a few Opus and Concerto joints and see if there is any observable difference.
The difference in resistance that can be heard in the sound clips I linked to above cannot possibly be attributed to the wood density, nor to the existence of extra keys. And I have tested more than one instrument of each model, rather 10 of each I would say. I thought there was a difference in the bore but since my measurements falsified that theory, I would primarily start looking at the tone hole cutting, which I will when time admits.
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