 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kuteclar
Date: 2007-08-23 00:55
I've recently heard about this model clarinet, but have been unable to find much about it, just that it is considered to be a premium professional Leblanc clarinet ranked around the Concerto and Opus. Can anybody help out here?
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-08-24 14:47
Saw the advertising around 1994 but never the instrument. I believe it was not a success and dropped from the line.
richard smith
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-08-24 17:12
It was ranked nearer the Concerto than the Opus (either just above or just below the Concerto in order of price), I would be clearer as to how it was ranked but I can't find my Leblanc literature from that era to be more precise.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kuteclar
Date: 2007-08-24 21:09
Just saying that I had the opportunity to purchase one for $800, but especially without knowing more about its sound and history, I didn't want to risk it. But, it still made me curious about this instrument I've never heard of.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-08-24 21:40
For $800 that's an excellent price for a clarinet of this level.
I still can't find my Leblanc blurb, I'll probably have to turn the entire house upside down and then find it where I first looked (but not well enough)!
It's here somewhere ...
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: thomas.b
Date: 2007-08-25 14:34
I tried one ( used, several years ago). The instrument was ok.. but the sound did not fit my ideas.... brrrrr... it sounded imho horrible ...very bright, strident... but this is of course a very subjective statement..for other people it works probably better...
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Author: thomas.b
Date: 2007-08-25 19:42
I found some old Leblanc-brochures. It is a little bit strange:
1) a small information brochure ( late 90s) has the following clarinet "sequence":Normandy 4, Sonata,Esprit,Concerto, Ambiance/Infinite,Opus,Symphonie VII ( where the opus (1) has the old signet).
Text for Ambiance: The playing characteristics of the Ambiance meets most demanding performance needs. Made in typical french style, the Ambiance haqs seduced Europe in particular with its rich and warm sonority, with a centered and direct emission. It is homogenous and steady in all nuances. At this same level, the infinite offers mire youthful tone that is rich and direct with a more traditional tuning in the upper clarion tones.........
2) a somewhat larger leaflet from the late 90s has the following sequence:
Noblet,Sonata,Esprit,INfinite,Concerto,Ambiance, Opus and brand new: Morales and the Symphonie VII. Here they write for the Ambiance: The playing characteristics of the Ambiance meet the most demanding performance needs. The instrument offers a rich and round French sound, direct and centered emission and balanced evennes for dependable articulation under all circumstances. The Ambiance is an excellent choice for the professional clarinetist. (in this leaflat the infinite has a mature tone...;-)
3) a large brochure from 2000: the sequence is: VSP,Normandy 4, Noblet 40,Noblet 45,Pete Fountain,Sonata, Esprit, Infinite,Concerto, Opus ( 1), with a new signet, Symphonie VII.... the Ambiance vanished...but interesting: here the infinite has the same playing characteristics of the CONCERTO but with a more youthful tone and more traditional tuning... blablablablabla
the bore here is for Sym, Opus, Concerto and INfinite: Polycylindrical, 0,575'' the same for Ambiance? no idea
but in 3) a french price list from april 2000 is contained ( without tax):
Leblanc Millenium: 3046€,Symphonie VII: 2957€,Opus: 2482€,
AMBIANCE(!) : 2289€, Infinite: 2289€, Concerto: 1869€,Esprit 1041€...
perhaps you can make your picture from the marketing-blabla and the price about the rating of the ambiance in the world of Leblanc
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2007-09-12 01:35
I purchased an Ambiance about five years ago and use it all the time. I love the fluidity between registers. This instrument is a fine clarinet that just never got the advertising press that the Opus or Concerto received. I don't find the sound to be strident as stated above, but could be with a poorly selected mouthpiece. (Note: not to say the above author's mouthpiece is "poor", but may have not been the best mouthpiece for this instrument.) I wish I could find an Ambiance in "A" to see how it plays.
jbutler
ps. I still have all the Ambiance press material. I can provide a copy of it for anyone who wishes.
Post Edited (2007-09-12 01:56)
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2007-09-12 10:52
I have an old brochure for Leblancs
Regarding Ambience, it says
The playing characteristics of the Ambiance meet the most
demanding performance needs. The instrument offers a
rich and round French sound, direct and centered emission
and balanced evenness for dependable articulation under
all circumstances. The Ambiance is an excellent choice for
the professional clarinetist.
Specifications
Key: Bb
Bore: 14.61 mm (.575")
Key mechanism: 17 key, 6 ring
Key style: Offset trill keys
Body material: Aged grenadilla wood
Pad cup style: Ronds bombés (rounded)
Key finish: Silver-plated
Mouthpiece: 2550K-10M
Case: Deluxe wood shell
Options: Model 1193S available in the key of A as model 1193AS
Regarding bore, I have a comparison chart which says the upper joint bore taper is reversed cone (unlike the polycylindrical Opus and Concerto either side of it in the list)
Other differences include it having a standard outside diameter barrel (as opposed to a "fatter" outside diametre); the barrel bore is the same as the models below it, not having an inverted tapered bore (the Opus has the inverted tapered bore); it does not have an adjustable thumb rest (unlike the others)
I have pdf files of these brochures and happy to email if wanted
Chris
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Author: oboeterry
Date: 2011-01-21 20:00
Hi Chris,
I was Google searching trying to find an old LeBlanc price catalog so that I could get an insurance appraisal for an old Model 350 metal contra-alto clarinet; your post came up on the clarinet board and I was wondering if after all this time you might still have the pdf you mentioned? Thanks so much for any help you might be able to offer!
Terry 
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2011-01-21 22:15
Hi Terry
The pdf I mentioned in my post was only for soprano instruments, sorry.
I thought I was going to help you, as I found a copy of a 1974 price list, but the list stops at model 340, BBb contra-bass clarinet, complete in case, priced at £774.07 GBP
But the received wisdom is generally to insure instruments for replacement value of a new current equivalent model
Chris
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