 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-07 22:00
I just received 3 clarinets for a two week trial. I like the Leblanc Infinite feel and sound the best. The Buffet Vintage is nice, and I could be happy with it. I like the Buffet R-13 the least, but it may be out of adjusment. This view may change in two weeks.
I wish I had a Leblanc Concerto to compare with the Infinite. I know the smart thing would be to try to play a Concerto, but I haven't figured out how to do it in this trial period. I could send the clarinets back, and have a new trial with an Infinite and Concerto.
I (an adult) play for my own pleasure, and I have no plans to play with others. Here's my question(s). How does the Concerto differ in sound and feel from the Infinite? I also have a concern about the popularity of the Infinite, compared to the Concerto.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-07 23:40
i have a Opus which is great. had a Sonata and a Pete Fountain which were also fine horns. You can;t go wrong with a lablanc.
You may not plan to play with others, however the time will come when you will want to join a band or some other group. You will want to share your knowledge and pleasure with others. I'm in the same boat.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-08 17:09
Bill -
Tom Ridenour, who designed both the Opus and the Infinite, told me the following:
The Opus is a new design, with better tuning, a more even scale and more even resistance than any Buffet.
The Concerto is identical to the Opus, except it has no alternate Ab/Eb key for the left little finger and the wood is a little less dense.
The Infinite is a clone of the Buffet R-13 with some of the flaws of intonation corrected. It is a completely separate design from the Opus/Concerto. It is available with either Opus/Concerto keywork or the traditional Leblanc "jump style" keywork.
I play an R-13 (heavily tweaked) and prefer it to any instrument except the Rossi, which equals but does not surpass it. I have played a number of Opus and Concerto instruments and did not care for them. As Tom Ridenour says, the intonation and evenness of scale and resistance are excellent, but they do not have the tone color of my R-13. However, Larry Combs sounds wonderful on an Opus (no doubt heavily tweaked), and Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr is equally good on a Concerto.
I have played a number of Infinites and like them very much. I have long fingers and short thumbs and find that the "jump key" keywork fits more comfortably under my fingers than the Opus/Concerto keywork. I haven't seen many people playing them, but I think that's not important.
Since he left Leblanc, Tom Ridenour is promoting the Selmer Signature. I have tried several and liked them a lot, but not as much as my R-13.
I tried several Buffet Vintage instruments at a Buffet show a couple of months ago and was very impressed. They had several new R-13s and RC-Prestiges and an Elite at the show, and the Vintage felt best.
Every model varies from instrument to instrument. There are great ones and not so great ones in every style. Keep trying until you get one you fall in love with.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2000-12-09 00:02
Ken--don't forget the LeBlanc Sonata, which TR told me was accoustically identical to the Opus and Concerto.
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