 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-06-28 04:35
A simple one, specially for the Leblanc fans who may have a few. What's the comparison, in aspects like quality control, sound production, and (perceived) position on the clarinet hierarchy?
I ask because, despite playing for many years, I have long term experience of only one instrument, my 16-year old R13. I am now married with a small child and a Sydney mortgage, so long term testing of many instruments, and even buying one, will have to wait until I win a game show.
Thanks, all.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-06-28 11:04
Well, LeBlanc usually lists the Esprit above the Sonata all the time, and ofcourse the price is a little more, making it appear higher up on the list. However, I prefer the Sonata to the Esprit [ this is ofcourse subject to the ones I have tried ] but I think it has something to do with the overall design. I would list the Sonata above the Esprit because even though it doesn't have the harmony clarinet line that the Esprit has, it seems like an overall more professional clarinet when it comes to modern LeBlanc. The Sonata is closer to the Concerto and Opus than the Esprit is in bore size, (Sonata having the same .575 instead of .577 like the Esprit) and I find it just an overall more similar model. The Esprit I think is [ or should I saw was] more for the classical player that didn't like the standard bore design.
Just my 2 cents.
Bradley
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-28 14:42
You already own a 16 yr old R13--why change? Swiching to either a Sonata or an Esprit would only be a "set down" from what you have now.
However, if you must, the Sonata clarinets have identical accoustics, undercutting and wood, and pretty much play the same as the more expensive Concerto and Opus model clarinets. (I play a set of LeBlanc Concerto's and and can report that they are great instruments)
But, if all I did was play Bb clarinet, I would prefer to play my vintage Buffet R13--it is the best clarinet that I own. So my bottom line recommendation would be to have your present R13 fixed up. R13 Bb's are "as good as it gets."
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-06-29 02:43
Sorry about this - still getting the hang of posting my own stuff.
Post Edited (2003-06-29 02:51)
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-06-29 02:49
Thanks for the advice so far. If I read this correctly, they seem almost neck-and-neck, with the Sonata ahead by a quarter tone.
The reason I ask is actually for some students' information. Since our dollar went south, clarinets aren't cheap down here and my students sometimes move up to a second-hand horn in good condition. I've tried a Sonata for a student and bought, but I know nothing of the Esprit, so I'm making sure it's OK. I've seen one advertised on Ebay Australia at a good price, with a Pomarico glass thrown in, but there's no hurry and I don't want to commit until I know a bit more.
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