 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: packrat
Date: 2006-10-07 01:52
I have found two horns very reasonably priced that I am going to play this week. One is a 50's Leblanc Bb Classic - the other a 80's model Concerto Bb with articulated keys. Both in good shape (buying from a repair person) and priced about the same. I want this as a second horn. I normally play a Buffet. I am buying this horn because I already own LeBlanc LL A which is fun to play. I was actually looking for a LeBlanc LL to match because I know it has a bigger bore which I also liked, but I can't find the LL anywhere - I just missed one on eBay :(. I guess I'm also asking which would feel more like the LL.
I've never even consider a horn with the articulated keys before, because I figured it would be out of my price range.
Of course the final decision will rest on which feels and plays better when I try them out , but which should be the better quality horn?
So, does anyone have an opinion?
Thanks to all who can help.
Packrat
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-10-07 02:02
The articulated G# key will take away some of the alternate high note fingerings (F6 etc...)
...GBK
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-10-07 02:09
There was also no Concerto in the 80s...nor was it, to the best of my knowledge, ever manufactured with an articulated C#/G# key.
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Author: seafaris
Date: 2006-10-07 02:36
I have owned 2 classics and 2 LL's. I feel that the LL is the better horn. I have no experience with the Concerto. If you are interested in a LL send me an e-mail.
....Jim
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Author: packrat
Date: 2006-10-07 02:37
DressedToKill wrote:
> There was also no Concerto in the 80s...nor was it, to the best
> of my knowledge, ever manufactured with an articulated C#/G#
> key.
Ok. He told me he had to get it out and look at it, it's been in his stock, but he aquired it around 15-20 years ago and I assumed the 80's. When was it made? He was definite about the articulated keys though because he bought it in response to a request from a univiersity professor at the time, who thought he would have students interested in it. Maybe he's wrong about the model if the keys were not available on it. Any speculation on which model it may be? I'd like to do a little research on whatever possiblities he has to show me, before I go. Nothing like the Boy Scout's motto - be prepared!
Packrat
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-10-07 02:39
I believe Tom developed the Concerto (and Opus, Infinite, LX2000, Ambience, Eternite, Sonata, and Esprit) in 1991 or 1992, but don't quote me on that. That would put it about 15 years ago, though...
It MAY be possible (although I doubt it) that Leblanc built one or two on very special request with an articulated C#/G#, but as far as I know, Leblanc has only ever made those special mechanisms available on the LL series, and on the Pete Fountain (now Big Easy).
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Author: packrat
Date: 2006-10-07 02:48
DressedToKill wrote:
> I believe Tom developed the Concerto (and Opus, Infinite,
> LX2000, Ambience, Eternite, Sonata, and Esprit) in 1991 or
> 1992, but don't quote me on that. That would put it about 15
> years ago, though...
>
> It MAY be possible (although I doubt it) that Leblanc built one
> or two on very special request with an articulated C#/G#, but
> as far as I know, Leblanc has only ever made those special
> mechanisms available on the LL series, and on the Pete Fountain
> (now Big Easy).
Well if he has made that mistake and it's an LL or a Pete Fountain, I believe I will be happier, if they have the large bore like my other LL (60's vintage)
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Author: packrat
Date: 2006-10-14 14:41
DressedToKill,
You were right about the Concerto and articulated keys - at least about the instrument I looked at. I went this week and picked it up to play and decide if I wanted it. It was a Symphonie 3 with articulated keys. Nice horn with a couple of problems, but... If I can get used to the extra keys :-)packrat wrote:
> DressedToKill wrote:
>
> > I believe Tom developed the Concerto (and Opus, Infinite,
> > LX2000, Ambience, Eternite, Sonata, and Esprit) in 1991 or
> > 1992, but don't quote me on that. That would put it about 15
> > years ago, though...
> >
> > It MAY be possible (although I doubt it) that Leblanc built
> one
> > or two on very special request with an articulated C#/G#, but
> > as far as I know, Leblanc has only ever made those special
> > mechanisms available on the LL series, and on the Pete
> Fountain
> > (now Big Easy).
>
> Well if he has made that mistake and it's an LL or a Pete
> Fountain, I believe I will be happier, if they have the large
> bore like my other LL (60's vintage)
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2006-10-14 15:08
If you decide against the Symphonie, let me know. I have a Symphonie 3 in A that needs a mate.
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Author: sherman
Date: 2006-10-14 18:36
I had a lovely set of L7s with the articulated G#, and also a set of LLs with the same configuration. The A clarinet in the latter was a superb and like-new instrument. I sold it because I.....................
Sherman Friedland
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2006-10-15 06:05
The A clarinet in the latter was a superb and like-new instrument. I sold it because I.....................
had too many clarinets =DDD
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-10-15 13:29
P R - does it also have the 7th ring for the left hand "ring" finger, which would make it a "relative" of the Pete F's ? If you have a caliper available [via a repairer?], measure the bore diameters of the ends of the upper joint, which, for Leblanc-knowledgable cl'ists, will help identify this horn. I'd recommend it over the Classic, even if the cost were higher! LUCK, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: chazman
Date: 2006-10-15 13:36
PR,
Don is 100% correct....the wood and mechanisms are superior in the Concerto. If you have the cash that is the way to go, you cant go wrong.
Just one suggestion before you buy it, play it for a week or so (if the seller is willing) and have another set of eyes look it over.
Chuck
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Author: William
Date: 2006-10-15 15:33
"the wood and mechanisms are superior in the Concerto."
When I was in Kenosha (1995) picking out my Bb Concerto, I asked Tom Ridenour very specifically if the Opus clarinets were made from a better quality of wood than the Concerto. He replied that all of LeBlanc clarinets (Esprit throught Opus) "come from the same woodpile". So as for wood being superior in the Opus clarinets--not true, according to the man who designed them for LeBlanc.
FWIW--I did select a marvelous Concerto Bb to match my A and still enjoy playing it. Incidentally, Gregory Smith--CSO clarinetist and BB Sponser--played my Concerto (while I was in his studio selecting one his his excellant mouthpiecies) and remarked that it was the most "R13 like" (Buffet) clarinet he had ever tried.
Post Edited (2006-10-16 14:23)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-10-17 21:57
Concertos are generally good instruments. Of course, so are LLs. I've owned both and can only say good things about them. The Concerto is probably more like your Buffet than the LL, however, as you mentioned it will probably come down to which one you prefer when you play-test.
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