 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: FredR
Date: 2004-04-23 19:48
I recently won an ebay bid for a L7 A clarinet. I did searches and found the BB to have an overall positive opinion of the model, at least in a Bb. I thought it would be a good match for my Bb a Leblanc L300, I seem to biased to Leblancs over Buffets.
My first question is if any one has had expierences with an A L7 and what opinions or advice in making sound cohesive with my Bb.
Secondly has to do with MP/reed setup. Do you generaly use the same as with your Bb?, Find you use a more open or closed setup?, Or is it trial and error from sqare one.
I had gone into Manhattan on a one occasion to try out some A's and besides being surprised at the price of some instruments, that seemed older than dirt (Are you supposed to haggle?), the majority of them played flat. I checked my tuner when I got home and it wasn't the problem. I use a Vand M13 with Brancher 41/2 or ML prem 5.
Any advice appreciated (unless your going to tell me I should of bought a R13)
I should probably say that my primary need for the A is for a WW quint
Thanks Fred
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-23 19:58
In general, most people use the same mp/reed for the A as the Bb. And some even have the ability to use the same BARREL on the A as the Bb (which facilitates when having to switch from one to the other during a performance). The only people I know that use different mpcs are those that do so for 'switching' purposes. And even then most use the same brand/model mouthpiece and lig and reed on both to negate having to 'adjust' when switching.
So don't worry about switching your setup.
As for the L7 itself, I've never played a Leblanc so I can't tell you squat.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-04-24 02:40
I have a Leblanc LL A and sometimes use an M13 Lyre mouthpiece with it. My Bb is an R-13, and the M13 series is really suited toward the R-13. I too am a little flatter using it with the A than with my Bb. So your mouthpiece may be contributing. Remember, the M series is optimized for 440 Hz, so it may flatten out a bit on a longer bore. I found whenever I used my old B45, it brought the pitch right back up. Now my primary piece is a Greg Smith Kaspar (which cleared up the tuning issues), but the Vandoren is my main backup.
You shouldn't necessarily have to change mouthpieces. Just play with the setup a bit, make sure you're completely warmed up, push the barrel all the way in, and see what works. Good luck
________________
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- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-04-24 03:56
The L7 A should be a good match for your L300 because, as perhaps you already know, they are from the same series (L7, L27, L200, L300) so they should be similar in design. The L7, which started the line, was made from around 1970 to around 1978, according to Dave Surber at Leblanc.
As far as the reed/mouthpiece combination goes, you probably won't know if you have a fit until you try yours out. Most A clarinets have a smaller bore than their Bb counterparts to allow for a smaller, more comfortable finger spread. The smaller bore usually results in an instrument that is a bit more resistant than the Bb but YMMV. In theory, it seems to me that a mouthpiece perfectly matched to a Bb would be suboptimal for an A and vice versa. In practice, however, the difference may not be noticeable. If your present reed/mouthpiece combination works comfortably, you're in good shape. If not, then IMHO you should try to find a combination that matches the A.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-04-24 18:32
It's a good horn.
You paid a good price for it.
You've found what most other browsers find near 44th street...
There's something to be said for having just one mouthpiece and reed to juggle (and train yourself to use).
Given the frequency with which your likely to play the A - stick with one for some time, and find out if it suits your needs.
I tried to get a hard rubber Ridenour 147 in A and the cost was high.
If this doesn't work out for you, the Yamaha SE and SEv clarinets in A are very good, so is the Amati and *gasp* the Buffet RC.
I wouldn't spend more than $1000 for secondhand, myself.
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