 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rgoldem
Date: 2005-03-02 11:12
I recently bought a Leblanc Symphonie clarinet, serial 4542. It seems to be a good horn but I really have no idea of its age. Since I cannot find any other label in this horn (all it says is Symphonie) I am assuming it is an original Symphonie from the fourties. Is this right? Can anyone help me determine the age and quality of this instrument? Thanks in advance.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-03-02 13:32
When I had a question of this sort about a LeBlanc Opus, I found the LeBlanc website, and used the query link that they provided to ask about the date of manufacture.
It took a couple of weeks, but they did get back to me -- very cordially -- with the information that my instrument dated to 1993.
Susan
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-03-02 13:45
I have a pair of Symhonies (Bb and A) and I believe you are correct -- forties or possibly early 50's. I seem to remember Dee mentioning that she has a SymphonieII that she has dated to 1954.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-02 13:47
Leblanc has used many,many names for their cl models, Yes, the Symps , [1?] 2,3,4, are some of their bests, yes, dating back to at least the 50's. My son has a no-name L as patented back in the 30's, my grandson has a Classic of the 50's, all closely related, L made something for everyone's taste, I guess. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-03-04 21:42
Dear rgoldem; I remember the Symphony model from the 60s when I was in high school and played one again ten years ago next to its contemporary the Dynamic H that Pete Fountain played then. The latter was much better or more responsive in the long pipe tones of the clarion register. I was so impressed that I remember this. And he still uses basically the same clarinet today. I know that Daniel Bonade endorced the Symphony, but he did not use it for very long. Bye, Ken
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2005-03-05 14:37
I have both a Symphonie #8XXX and a Dynamique #5XX. I was playing the Symphonie full time about a year ago but sometime last fall started playing the Dynamique for a change. In my opinion the Dynamique is a much nicer playing horn and has better intonation. The keying on the two is identical. My Symphonie II A #4XXX is an acceptable horn and again the keying matches the other two.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: nickma
Date: 2005-03-05 16:38
I agree - I think the Dynamique's are really nice instruments, civilised wide bore models, the forerunner of the Dynamic H, with which they share many characteristics. Thye can be found for a around $200 in need of work/ overhaul: They are a bargain. Beautifully made and used wonderful wood. I am working on a Dynamique at present which is number 156, so a very early one.
Nick
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-03-05 16:53
Agreed, Nick, On back I got acquainted with a Dyn H, have a Dyn 2, with fork Eb/Bb and Artic C#/G# [my "poor boy's" Pete F] dern good big bores, can see their diffs from my L7 14.8+mm bore, all good. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: avincel
Date: 2005-03-05 16:56
I also have an early Dynamique, number 166, which was just nicely overhauled by Vytas Krass. I agree that they are wonderful instruments.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2005-03-05 17:16
My only complaint with my Dynamique is the Eb4 and Bb5 with the banana key are flat. Do other old Dynamiques have this problem too? Actually, that banana key is too wide and close to ring for my liking. I'd like to have a Buffet key installed.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2005-03-05 17:32
I don't have an exact year for my Syphonie II. Leblanc told me it was from the early to mid 1950s.
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Author: nickma
Date: 2005-03-05 20:26
Bill28099 - Try different venting distances of the pads from the tone holes: further the distance, sharper the note (within reason, obviously). The alloy used for the keys of the Dynamique, whilst quite stiff, takes to gentle bending very well.
Nick
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-03-07 00:18
I have an original model "Symphonie" number 4971 and a project "Dynamique" number 4325 (plan to send this to Vytas Krass this year).
Unfortunately, I agree with what Ken Shaw wrote about Leblancs of this era. But they are nice to play and my first Leblanc was so wonderul - an L7 (I sold it to finance a vacation). The Symphonie, like all Leblancs of this time period, is well made and attention to detail is evident. Luxurious instruments, but with an intimate and relatively "superficial" sound (a tone that is more "surface" than depth). The wood is excellent and the lay of the keywork is very nice.
I'm hoping the "Dynamique" will (again) turn me back into a lover of old Leblancs.
Bill.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2005-03-07 13:53
nickma The Eb4 is flat with the key off so the vent will have to be adjusted some day. I helped it a lot by ginding a bit where the key contacts the wood, not installing any cork and using the thinnest pad possible. I don't want to bend the key upward as it will interfere too much with the adjacent finger.
The Eb4 key on these Leblancs is fatter then the post 1950s Buffet key. However, if you look at really old Buffets (pre 1920) they had huge banana keys.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
Post Edited (2005-03-07 13:54)
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