 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maldran
Date: 2003-11-05 22:14
Hello their again, a friend of mine pretty much gave me an old clarinet. It is a little beaten up, keys are worn and brown and their are some problems with sound. I especially notice it when trying to go up an octave. It is extremely airy sounding on a lot of notes as well. I am assuming it is going to take a major rehaul, and a new barrell. I was about to be purchasing a new E-11 Buffet B clarinet on Friday, but wanted to be sure i was making the right choice. The clarinet that I am using now that is having all these troubles, is a LeBlanc Paris Symphonie 3. That is about all i know about it, thats all that it says on it. I just know it is a old wooden clarinet, can someone tell me if i am making the right choice in getting the E-11 over getting this one Overhauled?
Thanks!
Terrell Brown
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-11-05 22:23
It is probably worth restoring anyway. I could be wrong but these Leblancs are professional models whereas the E11 is only a step up intermediate horn. All the sound problems you describe are symptomatic of the pads being stuffed, a full overhaul including wood restoration should give you a good professional horn. A new barrell is no major drama.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-11-05 22:31
It all depends! If the Symphonie's problems are only cosmetic, I'd go for a complete overhaul (about $200?). To my knowledge, it is of professional quality and, overall, superior to the E-11. If the horn was essentially given to you, you almost couldn't go wrong with an overhaul. Once restored, it may look and play like new. However, without a close look (e.g., any cracks?), it is hard to tell. I would consult a good, trustworthy tech and go from there.
Henry
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-11-05 22:33
Attachment: LeBlanc_Symphonie_3.jpg (327k)
LeBlanc Paris Symphonie 3 is a professional clarinet and after an overhaul by a master technician should play with no problems. In my experience the Symphonie 3 was the best LeBlanc I've ever tried.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-11-05 22:33
Mark is right.
Doing all that should be less than buying a new E11, and you'll come out with a better clarinet.
Bradley
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-11-05 23:17
The Symphonie 3 is a top of the line professional instrument where the E-11 is an intermediate clarinet just above the beginner grade instruments (although they are good). If you can get the Symphonie 3 restored for under $400, you would still have a major bargain. For this price, you would not only get new corks and pads but also new springs, excess motion cured, and any other mechanical ills fixed plus all adjustments. You might even be able to get the keys plated in this price.
The equivalent new Leblanc Symphony is several thousands of dollars.
I play an old Leblanc Symphonie II (they used roman numerals for that model) and it plays like a dream.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-11-06 00:08
Hi,
I have a Leblanc Dynamic 2 and an L-200. Both were purcahsed inexpensively and then overhauled. The pitch is right on and the sound is very nice. These are professional instruments and both are my clarinets of choice.
HRL
Post Edited (2003-11-06 01:29)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-11-06 14:43
May I "chime in" my agreement with the multitude of praise for LeB's Symphonie line. My good-repairer friend [both senses of the word] has just restored a S 4 or 3?, I plan to take a mp and play it, prob not buy tho, since my L7 is holding up well.[Same cl?] Don
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