 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-02-24 01:45
It seems that other than the Leblanc Big Easy clarinet, there are no other new big bore clarinets being made. Is there really no market for big bore clarinets anymore? You would think that someone would at least want to compete with the Leblanc and give a shot at making a big bore clarinet. I know I would be interested. It seems there are enough jazz clarinetist that would at least consider something other than the Big Easy if it were available. Any opinions, facts or ideas?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-24 01:57
You could always look at english clarinets. Howarth I think is still making big bores. Or custom makers like Rossi, Peter Eaton, Stephen Fox, etc.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-02-24 03:48
Thanks sfalexi. I had not even thought about the english clarinets or the Rossi. I guess I can't figure out why Selmer, who used to be the big bore king with the CT, BT, 9 and such, won't go after the Big Easy fans. They come out with a "jazz clarinet" the St. Louis, and make the bore .571 instead of going for the .590-600 bore that the older Selmers had. The english clarinets and the Rossi can be big bores at big prices. Maybe this is why I value my CT and my Leblanc LL so much. Can't really replace them.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-02-24 12:17
Old (pre-1970) Noblet clarinets are sometimes overlooked in discussions about larger bore clarinets. It may be that they are one of those "best kept secrets" in a way that's similar to vintage Buescher saxophones. It's been my experience that an old Noblet has a dark, fat, sweet sound that's wonderful for jazz playing. Good quality instrument, too. I don't think of it as an intermediate-level clarinet.
Roger
Post Edited (2005-02-24 12:25)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-24 13:12
Of course, good [old] cls, if well treated, just dont wear out badly [I dont subscribe to "blow-out"]. My [cylindrical bore horns], Sel CT and RI and my Leb Dyn 2 and L7 [about 14.85 {intermediate bore] still play better than I can. My newer Sel [USA] Omega appears to be a polycyl or conical bore of intermediate size and as far as I can determine is very satisfactory for jazz and has better 12ths intonation than the elder citizens. Selmer seems to have tried a more radical bore configuration in the Recital, I've never played one, just heard my good friend play classics WELL on his, and Sel's Signature series may be selling better. So, whats the big deal? Re: volume, to be heard we either play in the altissimo [with louder brass] or chal/clarion quietly or with amplification. Just my [oldt] thots this AM !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-02-24 13:42
Don,
Excellent points! For me, playing a larger bore clarinet has more to do with tonal quality rather than volume. I don't buy into the notion of a particular clarinet being a "jazz clarinet". Of the jazz clarinetists and doublers I personally know, I can't think of anyone who uses a Big Easy. Rather, they use a wide selection of instruments.
Roger
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2005-02-24 14:55
Mr. Roger Aldridge, Do you have any idea of the Noblet serial number series of the pre 1970 models that you speak of as being big bore instruments. Thanks.
jmsa
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-24 15:45
Ah yes. Howarth doesn't. I musta been confused because they have two bore sizes. I thought one was a big bore, but they're both small bore. One is just smaller.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2005-02-24 16:35
Hi Dano,
If you're in "the material doesn't matter" classification, you might want to consider the Conn 16 which regularly goes for around $50 on eBay.
I have one and the bore measures just slightly over 15mm. It is made out of hard rubber and is said to produce a sound very similar to wood.
Just my 2 cents...
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-02-24 16:37
Jmsa,
It's difficult to find information about Leblanc serial numbers. However, the serial number on my Noblet is 56xxx and it's from 1966. I've seen postings from various players on this Forum and the Sax On The Web Forum who have Noblet clarinets with either an earlier or slightly later serial number than mine and they speak very highly of these clarinets. I simply used pre-1970 as a rough benchmark.
It's my understanding that ALL Noblet clarinets regardless of it's date of manufacture have a similar bore size -- even the new ones. I have a personal preference for the old Noblet clarinets because of the higher quality of craftmanship and materials (ie, quality of wood) that were used back then.
I love a dark, fat sound on both clarinet and saxophone. After a considerable amount of experimentation and trial & error I settled on using an old Noblet clarinet and vintage Buescher saxophones (New Aristocrat and True Tone models). They give me the particular tonal qualities I want in my sound.
Hope that helps, Roger
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-24 17:16
TKS. Roger, just trying to pass on what I know [and what I think I know], FWIMBW. Re: Big Easy, perhaps its a "modernized" Pete F, higher-priced? for well-to-do N.O. Dixie lovers. I asked Doreen [Jackson Square "group"] what she was playing so well, an E 11, since her R 13 was stolen ! , I forget about mp, but she sure projected. Re: Noblet, I have a "Stubbins" cl [Made in France By Noblet] ser. 324xx, ?1955-60? which measures 14.80 mm top and bot of U J which I'd guess was a "standard" model N, BUT reading parts of S's highly opinionated book on cls, who really knows? I may have an early Normandy somewhere, and if found will measure. Also dont forget the early Conns 1920-?60, "large bores".
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2005-02-24 17:38
Thanks for the amazing information as always.
jmsa
Post Edited (2005-02-24 17:38)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-02-24 20:33
Millions of good used (but not terribly old) Boosey & Hawkes "The Edgware" (and other) models out there, all with big bores (.593" or 15.06 mm), dirt cheap, made of good wood and needing nothing more than an overhaul to give you the sound you want. You just have to get out of the "new instrument" mindset, if you can.
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Author: Dano
Date: 2005-02-25 00:25
I know that there are alot of great used big bore instruments. I have several. What probably has no answer and was my question was why there would not be any new big bore clarinets being made. No "new instrument mindset" here. Just a question that as I can see, tends to morph into something else.
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-03-04 22:03
Dear Dano; I sure would like to try the Big Easy, but I think that a large bore clarinet should be higher pitched than average because of the reed, of course. How about 115mm from the top of the barrel to the side trill key for the note A? Leblanc won't respond to my written inquiry. After tuning modifications attendant to shortening the barrel I am doing very well with my 15mm (I measured it) Vito V40 that they just stopped making in that bore. Oops your concern. Mutually, indeed, Ken
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