 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: KenAbbott
Date: 2001-04-01 15:01
I am a semi-professional (good enough to get paid to play, not good enough to make a living at it) player who currently uses a poor-quality bass. I am considering getting another one. I could choose 1) a good student horn (Bundy or Vito) in the $800 range, an old pro horn (there's an old LeBlanc wooden one on Ebay right now) in the $1000-1200 range, or a newer pro horn (Buffet, Selmer) for $2000-3000. My musician friends are encouraging me to shell out the bucks for a Selmer, but I lean towards the older LeBlanc. Opinions?
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-01 17:32
in my opinion ( and every one has one ) I would go for the newer pro model ( if given a choice and money not the option ( of course, money is a factor in all we do any more so .... ) do what your heart leads you to do.... the better horn, might be the ticket for better pay...who knows.... it could happen...
have fun.... enjoy life...
God Bles....
Mike
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-04-01 17:57
Ken,
Check your local paper for school district auctions. This is the time of year most districts are auctioning off surplus and no longer need/wanted items. Most of the bass clarinets I see on eBay have come from such auctions. Metro areas usually have several districts within a few miles of each other. I go sometimes just to buy horns for spare parts. Start checking your local paper's classified section under auctions or call the school districts directly. This way you can inspect before you bid.
John
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2001-04-01 20:48
The only reason I'd go for the newer Selmer is for reputation. I don't know of many professionals of any level that play Leblanc's, but Selmer and the newer Buffet's are very popular. I own a Selmer 37 and my friend has the Buffet equivalent, I'm not sure of the model. Leblanc deserves some credit for their soprano clarinets, but they're basses got left behind a bit. Hope you find your dream instrument!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-04-03 05:44
A new pro model Selmer or Buffet will set you back about five grand for a low Eb horn and a few hundred more for a low C horn. If you can afford it get a new bass with the low C extension. I have a Selmer 37 (low C) and am very happy with it.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-04-03 13:40
I bought a Buffet 1193-2 two years ago and am quite happy with it. The 1193 is Buffet's low-C model. The 1183 is their low-Eb model.
Until I bought the Buffet, I was played an '50s model wooden Leblanc for about 25 years. I was (is) a good horn, too and, in my opinion, would be a good alternative if you don't have the bucks to shell out for a new horn.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-05 00:18
Ken -
The only Leblanc-made bass on eBay right now is a Noblet at http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1421095266. Avoid it like the plague, as you should avoid any Leblanc bass that has only a single register key. The only Leblanc basses worth having are their top models with a double register key (i.e., with a vent on the neck). Basses with single register vents are simply unplayable.
I've never played a Leblanc bass I really liked, though certainly a good one is theoretically possible. Your choice should be among Selmer (particularly the older models from the 1950s and 60s), current Buffet models and ones from the 1970s (though not the ones in between) and Yamaha.
Basses are tricky and temperamental, particularly when the mechanism gets worn. I would never get one -- even a new one -- without a return option. On the whole, you'll be better off with a new one if you can possibly pay the price.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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