 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2009-12-23 13:17
Hi guys, just making some enquiries about a LeBlanc Bass clarinet to low C advertised on the classifieds. The seller does not know the model, but does have the serial number which is 122208. Is any body able to help me find out the model of this? Is/was it a pro level instrument? Thanks
Nick
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-12-23 14:22
My guess would be that just about any bass that goes down to low C is a pro-level instrument.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-12-23 15:08
I'll second it's definitely a pro level bass if it goes to low C.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2009-12-23 16:40
My first experience professionally was with a fine playing Low C, Leblanc Paris bass clarinet. I played it with the Syracuse Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic between 1966-70. It was a great instrument , with a beautiful, dark low register and plenty of projection. The break b was difficult to use and I often used the side b key with the low e, no regular octave key, to make it work. Some of these older instruments had a second octave key added to help the third line b. Also, I think the modern Leblanc Low C instruments are available with this second octave key.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-12-23 21:06
Chet says it well, I[ve had similar experience with several Eb Leb's, but not to the low C models. I believe that Selmer and Buffet ]perhaps now Yamaha] had the better Double Register keying to "clearup" the mid-staff B,C,C#, and E. Also there are several versions ot the extended range note keying , hopefully others may give you their thots/ecperience . I suggest your trying these questions on the "New Bass Clarinet" Yahoo group site, quite a few pro's talk there. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-12-23 22:19
On Leblanc low C basses you can't get low C by pressing the low C key on its own - you have to hold down the low D along with it as the keywork for the lowest two semitones (low Db and C) isn't linked to the rest of the mechanism.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-12-24 04:08
I'll wait for Larry Bocaner (who plays a low-C Leblanc) to chime in with the definitive answer, but as I recall they made a couple of models (430 and 330?) that went to low-C but one had a double automatic register vent system (practically a necessity for a professional horn IMO) whereas the other had a "student-grade" single-vent system. I think.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-12-24 12:44
On Leblancs (pro models) the speaker mechanism is linked to the throat A key - the student models (Noblet, Normandy and Vito) have the speaker mechanism linked to the LH thumbplate.
As David pointed out, there were two different speaker mechanisms on Leblanc pro model basses, and also the RH forked Ab/Eb mechanism that some had and others didn't.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-12-24 14:34
"I'll wait for Larry Bocaner...."
Well, true! I've played a low-C Leblanc professionally since the early 1960's.
This is a model #517 with (student-grade?) single register vent. Not a problem for me with over-the-the-staff notes, but it did contribute to a stuffy long B -- especially when there were leaks elsewhere on the instrument. I solved that problem with a second register key that opened the throat Bb vent, providing a resonant and in-tune B. (I posted a picture of this alteration on this site some time ago). Mine was done by Leblanc, but subsequently the similar appendage had been executed for others by (the late) Paul Covey as well as Bill Brannen. My Leblanc has been lovingly maintained over the years by Hans Moennig, Paul Covey, Bill Brannen and lately by Tony Valenti.
I'm still performing on my Leblanc (in my late 70's) -- as much as I admire the new Buffets. I love the responsive feel of the keywork, the warm and centered sound, and the excellent intonation. Most of my career I performed on a Lelandais mouthpiece refaced by Robert Miller; a few years ago I switched to a Zinner-based Roger Garrett mouthpiece that provided an equally rich sound, but with less effort!
My serial number is 49xx.
Post Edited (2009-12-24 14:59)
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