 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-11 11:23
Hi!
I have LeBlanc alto and basset horns that have fixed neck joints (both made in the '80's) but newer models have adjustable ones. Now i have to resort to pulling out the neck joint and/ or mouthpiece toi get in tune but would very much like to NOT do this. I don't see any neck joints listed in the major music suppliers catalogs. Is there a source i'm missing???
Thanks!
EEfer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-12-11 13:44
That's a tough one! I suspect you'll have to talk directly to Leblanc (or Conn-Selmer-Steinway-Leblanc-Backun-Whatever, not sure what their corporate name is this week).
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-12-11 13:52
Charles Bay has made replacement necks for bass clarinets for at least thirty years now, and if you are nice to him (and cough up the purchase price), he will do one for you as well.
The Leblanc style of harmony clarinet neck was a bone of contention for many years. At one point, they were using a metal sleeve that allowed adjustment (and a wobble-free one at that) at the point where the neck entered the horn, but I think that method has since gone by the wayside. Doesn't their top end bass offer a split neck like those used by Selmer and Buffet (and, if memory serves, Yamaha)?
The best way to avoid this problem is to not purchase or use Leblanc harmony clarinets. It's workable if you're buying your own, but it's a bit more problematic if you're using someone else's equipment. In my experience, the older Leblanc harmony horns (with the exception of the "paperclip" contras) had more problems (half-assed register key system, fork Eb mechanism, neck, less than comfortable keywork) than were worth enduring. I am given to understand that the new, top of the line, bass clarinet is now more like a Selmer or Buffet, but I've not seen such an animal in many years.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-12-11 14:50
Terry,
I believe he's looking for ALTO clarinet necks -- I don't believe Dr. Bay ever made those.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-12-11 15:53
I believe that at one time Leb offered a choice of a "single-angled" or "doubled"[swan type], which type might be more comfortable on my oherwise fine-playing Selmer. How about making me one, Dave?? please . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-11 17:37
Well i will agree that the Selmer and Buffet horns have better neck joints I own these two LeBlancs and the sound on both horns is quite nice, just a problem with tuning the horns. The octave mechanism o the alto or the basset has prsented no problem. In fact, I prefer it to the uite klunky one on my Selmer bass.
The basset horn is at least ten cents sharp with the neck pushed all the way in. fine for me just playing alone but not too good for IN PUBLIC. The alto is a little closer to in tune and generally just a little bit pulled out will be close to in tune. Still it would be much easier to just buy a new adjustable neck joint for both. Since LeBlanc has been bought out, who should I actually contact for this, or is it stil best to run it by someone like Muncy? Weiner lists some bass necks but no alto or basset ones.
Don, my two LeBlanc altos have two different style (one double angled, one single) neck joints. The single angle feels more comfortable for me, although I have used both. The other is a little more flat and puts the horn almost in tune.
Thanks for all of your comments.
Eefer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-12-11 18:28
Eeferguy, as a short-term solution, may I suggest sliding a rubber O-ring on your existing neck tenon to space it off the top of the instrument by the appropriate amount -- that will take care of your ten cents' sharp and will not wobble too much.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2006-12-12 00:58
several years ago, I spoke with the Leblanc guru (Dave S?) about the very same issue with my basset horn. good news is that they do make an adjustable alto/basset horn neck/bocal/crook; bad news is that it cost about $600 at the time (more if you buy it with an instrument)
i opted to pull out at all the joints: middle, neck/bocal/crook, and even the mouthpiece a bit. it works. I also have a few rubber plumbing washers (the red kind) that I insert in the sockets. I don't pull out the bell, because the basset notes are always in tune, no matter what I do.
what I might spend good money for would be a wooden neck/bocal/crook; I find that the metal really heats up, which can't be good for intonation. One day, i'm going to see if that Bakun fellow will make a curved wooden neck for a Leblanc basset horn.
by the way, eeferguy: do you think there will be a new Farm Bill in 2007? Or just an extension of the current one?
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2006-12-12 13:31
I have a Selmer Basset horn that has two curved barrels. They were made by someone here in London. I'm borrowing the instrument so i could find out. Wether they could be done for the larger bore i'm not sure.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-13 12:24
Thanks for all of your comments! I do like the idea of the washers in the sockets as that would fill in the void space and decrease the tendency towards wobbling. Very clever! Still I would like a permanent fix for both.
Is there a main address at LeBlanc that i could contact for the info on the necks?
Eefer guy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-12-13 15:14
The only 'permanent fix' for an alto clarinet is a decent burial.
![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
Just kidding! I love the little things myself. Even own two of them. Nobody ever asks me to play them, though. Go figure..............
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-12-13 16:34
David Spiegelthal wrote:
> Nobody ever asks me to play them, though. Go figure..............
A decent mouthpiece can do wonders. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-12-13 19:07
Ben,
I have a couple of fabulous alto clarinet mouthpieces, and one of my two instruments is superb --- but still no calls!
![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-12-13 19:27
David,
What cork grease are you using? The wrong one may hamper your projection you know.
Heck, I with the kids weren't asleep already...must...fight...the...urge....
--
Ben
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Author: larryb
Date: 2006-12-13 19:28
Conn-Selmer, Inc.
600 Industrial Parkway
P.O. Box 310
Elkhart, Indiana 46515 USA
Telephone: (800) 348-7426
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
French Office
G. Leblanc S.N.C.
13, rue Georges Leblanc
27750 La Couture-Boussey, France
Telephone: 011 332 3236 7503
Fax: 011 332 3236 0998
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