 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-18 16:59
As an unbiased observer who plays neither of the clarinets in question, let me help you with this one:
The Buffet players will tell you the Leblanc is OK but the Buffet is better.
The Leblanc players will tell you the Buffet is OK but the Leblanc is better.
The Selmer and Yamaha players will tell you that both the Buffet and Leblanc are OK, but that they prefer their own instruments.
Hope this helped.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-18 17:03
lol! That was a hoot! And pretty much the truth! Out of curiousity, why is it that everyone compares clarinets to the R-13? Do you (csusb) currently play an R-13? If not and you are trying to see which one is better, I think the best test is to go out and try them. For all you know, you might find NEITHER of them satisfactory to you and may have to start looking elsewhere. They're both about the same price, so that can't really influence you. Only their sound. And since we all hear things differently and would prefer different sounds/feels, you're much better off finding a place that has them both, and trying them both out.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-03-18 17:08
The 'Double L' was one of Leon LeBlanc's last designs for his marque.
It's a larger bore instrument, and may require a little more training to get control over dynamics - these really shine when played loud.
The smaller bore design typified by the R13 will offer a little more flexibility in tone and dynamics - but I think R13s vary greatly, so choose from many.
Lastly, if you're buying a secondhand instrument - find out when the last service was done, and any repair history.
With so many good clarinets available, no sense in buying someone else's problems...
FYI - I think the Ridenour TR147 is a terrific instrument, out of the box.
It's made from hard rubber and lacks the attention to detail from some
top professional models - but does it play!
PS - If Dave Spiegelthal has a Couesnon Monopole to sell - buy it.
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-03-18 22:56
Vytas...
You are the "searcher" indeed. Since I sold that 1176 "LL".....I bought another.....adn Love it.....still sounds not much different than my R-13 though the intonation, and response through the registers may be a bit more in tune.....there's not much that I can say is different. The keywork is "smaller" it seems, and the barrel is a bit thinner.....
It's just a matter of which do you feel most comfotable with. six of one and a half dozen of the other as "they"say.
So which would I endorse?
BOTH. Try them. You can't get much better than the R-13 or "LL", unless....
you can afford a custom built job from Peter Eaton, Patricola or Rossi. (which I've never played) Just going on the "threads" and heresay.
Bottom line.....
My repair tech works on Professional players horns....and says....
"they bring them in here....and I can't believe they even play these things....
but....somehow....no matter the reed....the bent keys....the chips in the mouthpieces.....THESE PLAYERS OVERCOME IT AND PLAY THEM ON STAGE....
AND MAKE THEM SOUND LIKE THEY'RE NEW AND PERFECT INSTRUMENTS."
Can't remember which Marsalis bro it is that plays sax.....but that's one of the people my tech was talking about....says that bro can play a straw with a reed on it.....
JG
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Author: Taxijazz
Date: 2004-03-20 14:07
R-13 became a standard because band directors liked them in ensembles, and teachers recommended them. Soloists and jazz musicians tended to prefer Selmer, and with the tempermental nature of clarinetists many instructors would rather not deal with an aspiring Benny Goodman in their choir. LeBlanc might be a comprimise between the two.
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Author: J. Usher
Date: 2004-03-23 17:30
Synonymous Botch said it best. As I've said also in our last conversation, the larger bore could be an issue. Particularly in the case of your mouthpiece and set up - don't expect any one clarinet to work the same with a given mouthpiece. A less resistant horn might require a more resistant setup and visa-versa. The LL's could be great - just try to play them with your setup first if you can.
Personally, I liked my LL's and played on them for years before switching to R13's twenty years ago out of the (at that time) pressure to play R13s. It's great that so many good horns are accepted now.
Anyway, since you play on a nice Peter Eaton mouthpiece you already know what I'm going to say is a good match... buy an Eaton International!! Ha ha..
-Jon
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Author: sinkdraiN
Date: 2004-03-23 21:04
This is easy for me to answer since my Bb is a LL and my A is an R13. Both are great horns but both are very different. The R13 is big and more spread sounding. The LL is more compact and focused. The LL has a super even range in both tuning and tone. I spend more time trying to even up the register on the R13. I really like my LL and do not plan on replacing it. I prefer the tone and response of the LL but I prefer the keywork of the R13. You'll love the LL!
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-03-23 21:11
LLs are GREAT horns.....so are R-13s.....and some Selmers....and Yamahas...
AND off brands....I had an old CONN from 1927 with a wraparound register that I wish I'd never sold.....cie...la....whatever....
To me Leblancs are in some ways better than Buffet.....and Buffet better than Leblanc in some ways....and Selmer can be better than both...depending on the individual horn at task....so....the variables are endless...find something that fits your needs. Practice....play as much as you can....and don't keep looking for the "Holy Grail" of clarinets.....or you'll spend your entire life looking instead of playing....(my opinion)
JG
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