 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mstrampp1994
Date: 2011-10-18 19:33
Hello Again! Since my last post about looking to upgrade, I have purchased a Leblanc Opus. I was wondering when It was made. Im looking all over for Opus serial numbers and I am getting nowhere. Ummm the serial number is, 79147. And it is an Opus. Paid $1000 for it. More information, came with brand new mouthpieces both a Vandoren B45 and an M13 Series 13. Ajustable thumb rest thingy (Its black plastic and wraps around your thumb.) Has the A flat/E flat extra keys. Silver Plated Nickel. Plays wonderfully couldn't be more happy then that. No cracks in the wood. All pads seem to be in good shape but it will be going to my local music shop this weekend to get a tune up. I think it was put away and not played for awhile. More information would be great. I love to learn more about my clarinet. Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-10-19 09:39
Only thing I would watch for is the pinky keys going out of adjustment rather easily. I don't know why, but the metal of these keys seemed a bit more supple than usual and with continuous play those notes can go out fast (the crow's foot thingy mostly). Legend has it that the Army Band ordered a whole section of these when they first came out and after about a month they scrapped them all over this issue.
......................Paul Aviles
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2011-10-19 17:47
I don't remember having an issue with the pinky keys staying in adjustment when I owned my opus. However my Opus was brannenized immediately after I purchased it.
I'd strongly recommend that you have your horn serviced Brannen Woodwinds. You will be amazed at how your Opus will come back.
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Author: CWH
Date: 2011-10-20 21:18
The Opus is hand down the best horn I have ever owned. I had it recently overhauled by John Parrette of Clarion Musical Service....it sings, sings, sings.
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: Mstrampp1994
Date: 2011-10-20 21:56
Out of curiousity here, Anyone who owns an opus, what your barrel situation? I'm about 20cents flat with the stock 65mm barrel. My teacher told me to order the 62mm 63mm and 64mm stock opus barrels and try each one until I find the one that tunes and just buy the one. Is there anyway else to be more in tune without changing the barrels?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-20 23:05
Mstrampp1994 wrote:
> I'm about 20cents flat with the stock 65mm barrel.
Are you consistently 20 cents flat along the whole scale or only in certain ranges? Remember that swapping the barrel won't affect the pitch of all notes equally.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-10-20 23:17
In my experience there is NO WAY to play in tune with the stock barrel. I had an original Concerto and noticed that the sockets of the stock barrel are rather deep, so................... I filed down both sides of the barrel (rings and all) until it played in tune.
Kids, don't try this at home.
.........................Paul Aviles
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2011-10-21 02:01
My Bb opus played slightly sharp everywhere actually. I recently got a Concerto A and now use the 66mm barrel from the Concerto.
I have played with an m15, 5rv lyre, and now a McClune DM and I consistantly have the same issue.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2011-10-21 02:16
Keep in mind the same mouthpiece that is fantastic for a Buffet isn't necessarily going to be gold for a Leblanc.
Richard Hawkins makes a mouthpiece that is pitched rather high that would work for you. Avoid any of the Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces as they are pitched flatter.
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Author: Mstrampp1994
Date: 2011-10-21 20:30
I use a Larry Combs Lc1 mouthpiece. But i have a few others. One being a Vandoren M13 Seriess mouthpiece and it seemed to have fixed to flatness. So I think im going to play on it for awhile.
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2011-10-21 20:57
I have been told that some of the original Opus clarinets were sold with a choice of a 64, 65, or 66 mm barrel. Not sure how true it is though. I'd say $1000 was a steal for it though.
I think I paid $1500 for my Opus Bb and $1500 for my Concerto A. Couldn't find an Opus A. If I ever come across one I will probably snag it.
As far as Pauls comment, I do find the keys go out of adjustment faster than I would like. They fall out about as quick as my bass clarinet. And I find the Ab/Eb key falls out so fast it isn't even worth having. It just rattles. So after I got my Concerto A, which does not have the Ab/Eb key (which is why I really wanted an Opus A) I just took the key off.
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