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Re: Leblanc L27

Author: clarinettefaerie
Date: 2010-07-05 22:15

Wow, thanks for that link Ken.

I'm in the process of seeing if I may be able to play on the L27 before buying it. If that is not possible or if there isn't any trial period, I would not ever spend that much money on something that I don't even know if I'll like.
Pertaining to the link you posted, Ken, I know that uneven tuning in intervals and across registers is a possibility in a lot of clarinets, particularly vintage ones. I do love my Buffet in that aspect; the tuning is brilliantly even across all registers. That is something that I'll be sure to double and triple check for if I can play test the L27.

JNK, I came across a website that listed serial numbers for various makes of clarinets... Clarinetperfection.com is the name, I believe. With some of the brands and models, there's some explanation and history. It seems that they claim that the Leblanc L27/L7 both have a larger bore. That may not be true, I don't know. Again, play testing would reveal whether or not that's true. I do remember reading about the quite large bore in the LL model in a post on here.
It's funny that you mention that the tone can get dull in the L7/L27 compared to Buffets. When my Buffet was being, uh, repaired, like I said, I borrowed an L7 from my band director. I happened to have a rehearsal for my clarinet quartet during that time, and I wasn't entirely sure what to think of the L7. A friend in the quartet said that my tone "seemed to die." He's not exactly reliable, but it's an interesting thing to think about.
My Buffet was manufactured in 1963 (quite an antique, as my clarinet professor claims...). I purchased it from a local instrument repair technician in August of 2004, and I've been happy with it. I do know that Buffets have a smaller bore (which creates a more focused tone?). But, I know that my clarinet is much more lightweight than newer R13's (my boyfriend claims it to be anorexic...), so I have to wonder if the bore is thin as well as small. At soft volumes, my tone is very dark, but even at a mezzo-forte, my tone begins to get raucous and bright. Part of this is probably me, but I have to wonder if it could be the clarinet also.
Going back on topic to the L27, I would like to calm down my tone a bit in my Buffet, but I don't want it to sound dead on the L27 either. If I did find the tone to be too dull in the L27, could a barrel solve that problem?

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