 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-06-13 17:08
I notice from a previous post that you are the owner/player of a 1960's Leblanc basset horn and would like to know from you or any other old Leblanc basset player how you like the horn. Further if you have played a new smaller bore Selmer how do the two compare? Given the size of the investment is it better to buy new when the cost differential between old and new seems to be only about $1500 when the horn goes to low C?
Thanks
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Author: larryb (---.nyc.gov)
Date: 2004-06-01 19:58
also,
LeBlanc Bassethorn (c. 1961); Vandoren 5RV alto mouthpiece; no-name metal ligature; Vandoren 2.5 (sometimes 3.0) reed
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A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2004-06-13 17:10)
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Author: John25
Date: 2004-06-13 18:52
I have played a Leblanc basset-horn since 1962. I think it's a superb instrument, although some people say the wide bore Leblanc is not a "real" basset-horn. I have never tried the smaller-bore Selmer. A friend of mine had one for years and bought a Leblanc a couple of years ago. She now uses the Leblanc all the time. When playing the Leblanc you must try to produce a soprano clarinet sound, and not aim for an alto clarinet sound.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2004-06-13 20:17
If you can find some of the old posts by Daniel Leeson who was/is a basset horn player, you may find some good information.
I own a Selmer Series 9 basset horn which probably came from the 60s. It has the same bore as the one they sell now(0.621 in). While it is expected to use a regular clarinet mouthpiece, my Lurie M3 that I like a lot on an R13 does not work so well on the basset horn. Thus, I've been using an old Selmer soprano clarinet mouthpiece(C facing) which seems to work fine. Thus, the mouthpiece used on the Selmer basset horn is a significant factor, probably because the bore is a little larger than the soprano clarinet. As I understand it, the LeBlanc basset horn and the Buffet basset have a larger bore and thus use a mouthpieces with larger bores than a soprano clarinet.
For all of that, I haven't played the basset horn much. I'm a little reluctant to publicize my ownership as I know several people who would want to borrow it(not to rent it) so they could play an essential local gig. Mr. Leeson rented his two instruments out a lot but probably knew the renters well. I've known musicians who get angry when refused a loan of a special instrument. Good luck!
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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-06-14 02:37
I haven't yet had the opportunity to play a small bore basset horn, so I can't really compare. I'm very happy with the old LeBlanc, and I think the "authenticity" of the sound has more to do with how it is played. If you play it like an alto, it will sound like an alto. If you play it gently, it will sound like you think a bassethorn should sound (Stadler isn't around to disagree with me). Mouthpiece and reed, of course, may also be an important factor - I play on a Vandoren 5RV alto mouthpiece, and am quite satisfied, but I plan to test and compare other set ups, especially the hand made mouthpieces out there.
I've spent a lot of time listening to many recordings of basset horns (german and french), and from what I can tell, the LeBlanc sounds and plays like a basset horn should. I'm sure the others do too, and I understand that the new small bores have overcome many of the problems (stuffiness, intonation) of the older ones.
The main problem in purchasing a basset horn has to do with availability. New ones seem to be obtainable on an almost seasonal basis; one reputable shop in New York City offered to order a Selmer, but only on the condition that I commit to buying it. Apparently, they're hard to return. For old horns, you have to keep searching. I found mine almost by chance (actually by Google search).
Forget about the basset horns that only extend down to Eb - they're just altos in F; the beautiful basset sound comes in large part from the extra length down to C.
The advice I received from a pro was: a good used horn is worth buying for up to $3000.
The advice I received from Duke Ellington (to paraphrase via Peter Schickele): if it sounds and feels good, it is good.
Post Edited (2004-06-14 02:39)
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Author: beejay
Date: 2004-06-14 18:51
I would agree with Larryb that if you play it like a basset horn, it sounds like a basset horn. I think the mouthpiece is much more important than the bore.
The Vandoren B40 that came with my Buffet Crampon BH gives a very rich sound in the bass regions, but does sound a bit like an alto clarinet in the higher ranges. I bought a mouthpiece from Ed Pillinger in London with which I am well satisfied. It gives a pleasing sound across the whole spectrum, and with the right reed, the instrument sound like anything I've heard on recordings.
I don't know the precise measurement of the bore of the Buffet Crampon BH, and I don't care too much either. It is simply the most beautiful thing I ever owned.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-14 19:48
This is such an interesting "fire" to jump into, I cant resist. I believe, the point I wish to make is that the diff. between the highly expensive [traditional] basset horn in F, and the small bore Alto [Eb] cl [Selmer B series,16.65 mm bottom of neck, and 16.45 mm bottom of U J] seems [to me] to diminish-disappear when played with a good mp, [my] Pomarico mellow 3, the only low note unobtainable being the BH's low C. If needed, a tube in the AC's bell might do it ! Also adaptation to a large-bore sop cl mp would be easy. Sheer heresy to many?? Don, an A C'ist.
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-06-14 19:53
Don,
how do you obtain the low D and C# on the alto? Or are they obtained through transposition?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-14 20:19
Yes, single note trans [same as playing C cl {oboe} music on Bb cl!], here D becomes E and Db/C# becomes Eb! Must stay awake, tho ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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