 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-03-06 07:07
I just bought an old LeBlanc Dynamique to play around with. I thought the bore would be bigger then the 14.75mm I measured. But my problem is I had a terrible time getting it play well. Tried all my normal mouth pieces, many reeds and the sound had no edge, it was "mellow yellow". Finally I scrubbed the LeBlanc mouth piece that came with it and now it plays pretty well. What type of mouth piece works best with an old LeBlanc like this one? Clarion HS* and Vandoren 2RV sure don't.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-03-06 12:17
Hi Bill,
I have a Dynamic 2 from LeBlanc and it plays great with a VD 2RV but my main mouthpiece is a Portnoy BP02. I do not know if there were significant changes between these two models. Perhaps someone else knows that information.
I think maybe there is more to your problem that first appears. Are you using the original barrel? Have you tried several different reed and mouthpiece combinations?
I get a huge sound on my Dynamic 2. Not as focused and centered as with my Buffet or any of my Selmer 9s with the same mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds.
HRL
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-03-06 14:44
Hank, as you prob. know, I also have a Dyn 2 [15.0 mm bore] and an L7 [14.8+? bore]. Both play better with a wider tip [longer lay also?] mp than the "ancient" HS*. I've had 2 sop. glass mps [HS*s] refaced by Manfredo Cavallini [Italy] to a 5RVL and a new Pom. [wider?] facing. Both play much better and exhibit, by little finger test, a larger exit bore size than the original barrels for the horns !! An old VD 11.6 and a wide? BG Benny G mp are very satisfactory also for "classic" and "Jazz" respectively. Makes for difficult choices, they all play like me!! My thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-03-06 15:46
The bore on the barrel of this instrument is 14.90mm and the exit of the supplied LeBlanc mouthpiece is 15.11mm The clarion HS* I was using has a 15.46mm exit and the 2RV 14.98mm. I also tried a new Selmer crystal #2 whose exit is 15.41mm.
One thing that is very clear to me is that the setup I use on my 1953 Buffet will not work on this LeBlanc.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-03-06 16:04
I think, the LeBlanc mouthpiece that came with the horn is the best choice. The mouthpiece probably needs some attention. If you wish, you can send it to me for touch up. No charge.
Vytas Krass
Pro clarinet technician.
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker.
Former pro clarinet player.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-03-06 20:30
Hi Don,
Yes, you and I are about the only two that I know (maybe Marge in MY as well) that play the Dynamic 2. Nice instrument. This will be one of the very last clarinets I will even think about getting rid of.
Vytas, a nice as well as gracious accommadation.
HRL
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2004-03-06 22:14
I overhauled a Dynamique last week (not Dynamique II). The barrel measured .592 at the top, .586 at the bottom, and the bore measured .585. It plays with a huge sound. I was testing it out with a Larry Combs LC1 and 3.5 reed and it seemed to perform well. I don't know what it will do with a Brilhart Tonalin or other mouthpiece. When I get time I'll try a few moutpieces with a tuner and see how it goes.
jbutler
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-03-07 01:04
Thanks for all the comments here is what I have concluded after about 4 hours of messing around this morning. First I took a Clarion HS* put it on the LeBlanc with a normal ligature. I threw my box of Vandoren 2.5-3 reeds marked Buffet into the bowl full of water. Then tried each of them. From a box of ~25 only one almost played correctly. Then I took my box of rejects and threw them in the bowl. Out of that ~30 I found 3 reeds that worked wonderfully. So Hank L had it right, it's reed problem.
Conclusion: If the reed plays well on a Clarion HS* in a 1953 Buffet it won't play well on a LeBlanc Dynamique with the same mouth piece. Oh well, my box of rejects is shrinking as the reeds for the 2RV which I use on the 1904 Buffet A won't play on anything else either.
I remeasured the bore on this Dynamique, it is definitely not .585". At the bottom of the upper joint the average of 10 readings is 14.78mm, the average at the top is 14.81. When I bought it I was hoping for 14.90mm.
Anyway, all I need is a couple of reeds that work and I'm happy. Now to go overhaul that grungy Symphonie.
By the way I love Clarion HS* mouth pieces even if they are "ancient", but then so am I. They really work well on my 1953 Buffet which I have played since it was brand new out of the box.
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-03-07 02:08
Bill
Try Mitchell Lurie Premiums. I use them and they are straight out of the box.
Very little messing with them other than sanding the bottom for a smooth finish.....I don't understand everyone's facination with vandoren v-12s.
All I hear is trouble. Mitchell Lurie Premiums have NEVER EVER given me a problem. AND I'M NOT A SPOKESMAN FOR THEM.........just think they're the best there is.......
JG
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-03-07 03:37
Bill,
I use the ATG reed system so don't throw those non-players out yet. Evidently, the combination of all the variables in your setup is not quite right for the instrument but perseverence will pay off. Don't overlook trying other barrels as well.
But getting one or two good reeds show that the instrument is playable with the sound and feel approcahing something that is more comfortable for you. Interesting that some of the rejects are now players. That could be a whole discussion in itself.
I think this model clarinet is a player. You just need the right combo.
HRL
PS What, only two mouthpieces tried so far. You have not scratched the surface :-).
Post Edited (2004-03-07 04:09)
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-03-08 00:28
Throw away 40 year old Vandoren reeds, no way. Sooner or later I'll buy a clarinet they will work on. I have a system too, a clipper and a Gillette Blue Blade.
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