 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Elmore
Date: 2007-11-21 21:32
Hello. My first post here. I don't play clarinet but I have a Leblanc bass clarinet. The people at Conn-Selmer tell me that they only keep records to '68 but estimated it to be from the early sixties. The serial # is 40xx. Any ideas what the model designation might be? Are these silver keys? Any idea as to where I can get info on this and the other Leblanc and Noblet clarinets that I have?
Irish Whistle is my axe. Previously an active saxophonist and trying to get my embouchure back. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-11-21 22:26
I think Leblanc basses from this era may have unplated nickel silver keys which tarnish yellow. But the bell and crook might be nickel plated.
The current ones have silver plated keys, though during the '70s and '80s they had nickel plated keys.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-11-22 00:15
My Leblanc LL bass clarinet #55xx dates from 1962. Makes me think that yours is probably from late 1950's. Mine has nickel plated keys over a "flash" of copper plating. As they wear, the copper shows through first, then the "raw" nickel silver. The key metal is very hard -- hard to bend -- a good thing for bass clarinets with very long keys and rods!
Elmore, does yours have the entwined "LL" logo under the Leblanc stamp?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Elmore
Date: 2007-11-22 03:32
Nickel silver keys, like on a paperclip contra bass, is what I thought.
Larry I'll look for that "LL" under the stamp and get back on it. Does that indicate an LL model.
I have heard about "Symphony III" and L400. I take it the LL is top of the line
Elmore
Post Edited (2007-11-23 02:42)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris J
Date: 2007-11-29 15:48
Hi all
I have a similar question. I have just got a Leblanc bass in poor cosmetic condition, but hopefully can be fixed up to play. It is serial number 104xx and is "Made in France". The logo looks like this on the clarinetperfection web site.
There are no intertwined LL above the logo.
On that web site there are a number of models for bass clarinets - Models # 328 / 330 / 400 / 415 / 417 / 425 / 430 - and if mine is one of these, then it dates to 1971. See here
But below that list of models there is a mention of Leblanc France Clarinets. Is that a different model, or does that relate to the ones "Made in France"? (but then I wonder of that vintage, they were all french made, rather than any USA)
So my basic questions are - how do I age my clarinet, and what distinguishing features can I look for to determine the model?
As an aside, the only missing part is the brace that screws the UJ to the LJ. Are these readily available to buy for old instruments? The instrument is going to a repairer anyway who will know, but I was curious.
Happy to post photos if that helps someone tell me what I have bought! Please spare me asking if it has a double register mechanism. I have read posts about these until my brain hurts and I still don't know. I doubt it does as old Leblancs are frequently criticised because of it. There is a register pip in the top tenon for the crook, which closes when the A key is pressed (and a tone hole at the back opens, beneath the register lever). That is as technical as I can get.
Chris
Post Edited (2007-11-29 15:56)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-11-29 20:39
I'm not 100% sure but the Leblanc at that age were all professional instruments. The LL, L-7, L-70, L-200, L-300 sopranos (or whatever they were) at various times overlapped each over, and for the case with the sopranos they differed in bore sizes.
If you check here you can see what I mean
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/snclarinet.htm#1982Prices
i'll try and throw on the bass clarinets of that time frame on the list tonight for more information
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2007-11-29 20:40)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris J
Date: 2007-11-29 22:33
Steve - many thanks for that. If more information is unearthed in your archives, then I would be pleased to hear of it.
As I mentioned above, I understand the instrument originally had a metal brace screwed in to attach the UJ to the LJ. The (leblanc) box it shipped in seems to be about 5mm too narrow, widthways, to accomodate the assembled body of the instrument. It is in a bad way anyway and I need a new box
But I was wondering - with these instruments are they usually stored with the UJ always screwed into the LJ in a single body box, or are they usually unscrewed and stored in a 5 piece box. Not having the brace, I don't know what taking it apart involves.
And the answer to that would lead me on to finding a suitable replacement box. Looking for a cheap replacement I have come across five piece case and one piece case.
Would either of these be a suitable replacement for me? Can anybody point me towards anything similar in the UK?
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-11-30 01:33
Chris,
i'm not much of an expert on bass clarinets. I only really refurbish soprano but few Eb and bass clarinets.
FYI - i updated that price list to include alto and bass cls and their models from that year
Steve
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-11-30 14:07
Chris,
Probably is one of the model # you cite. 300 series were small bore instruments, IMO not pro quality. Model 400 is "plain jane" -- no extras. 415 is low Eb instrument with forked RH Eb/Ab mechanism. 417 is low C instrument. 425 and 430 have double automatic register key (two bridge linkages across the upper and lower joint). 425 has a low Eb, 430 goes to low C. Leblanc eschewed the LH Eb/Ab lever in favor of the forked fingering, which I prefer.
Year you cite sounds right to me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris J
Date: 2007-11-30 14:23
Larry
Many thanks for that. I probably have a plain Jane. Which is fine by me!
I would be really intersted if you have any comments about the bracing between the joints.
Is the instrument intended to stay braced and stored as such in a single bodied case, or were they shipped and cased apart, with an expectation they are screwed together each time they are played. As mentioned before, my brace is missing so I don't know what the actual attachment looked like.
I hope to have it restored to its original spec.
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-11-30 14:39
Chris,
I have no experience with the joint braced Leblancs. I suspect they were made for the school market, to eliminate the adjustment problems kids have with bridge keys. I do remember seeing instruments that were stored in a long case and left assembled -- horrors!
Larry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
