 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2014-03-17 06:13
Has anyone played one of these, or know if it is a close relative of the other Leblanc clarinets? I'm wondering if it's essentially an extended range Concerto, extended range "LL" or other older design, or its own animal entirely. I dug up some old catalog pages, but they didn't help much.
The 1756S has a 14.60mm/.574" bore, which suggests it is a newer design. Most of their clarinets designed in the 90s, Opus/Concerto/etc, are 0.575". There's also the 0.574 "LX2000". This suggests it is more related to the 90s era lineup than the older slightly larger bore instruments like the "LL" (0.582").
From the model number progression (1756S), I thought it might be closer to the 1176 "LL", but then I made the connection that Mozart was born in 1756.. So maybe I shouldn't read too much into that.
Thanks!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-03-17 06:57
I tried an LL basset several years ago and though it was not very good. However, it had lots of small leaks, even though it was part of an official Leblanc display.
The photo of the 1756S at http://www.musiciansfriend.com/woodwinds/leblanc-france-1756s-bassett-clarinet does not show a LL mark, so it's a different instrument.
I've never heard of a Mozart Concerto played on a 1756S. Everyone seems to use a Buffet Prestige or a hand-made German instrument.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-03-17 09:06
Still no LH Ab/Eb lever - how are you meant to slur from low Eb to Ab smoothly on them?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2014-03-19 03:30
Charles Neidich recorded the Mozart Quintet on a LeBlanc basset clarinet in 1988: Musicmasters MMD 6017. Doesn't say which model.
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2014-04-03 02:04
I finally found some better pictures here:
http://www.clarinetsdirect.biz/LeblancABasset.html
That, and the old catalog pictures of the 1756S, seem to have the C#/G# key rod inset towards the fingers a little bit, like my "LL". Most clarinets have that rod "buried"under the longer rod that runs above it. Still, the bore isn't like a LL. I'm guessing its neither a 90's concerto-ish design, or a LL, but something in-between, perhaps a LL tailored a bit.
As best I can tell, the top RH key is C#, bottom RH key is E-b, LH key is D, and RH thumb-touch would be C.
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2014-04-16 06:12
I decided to try it out. Its the only way to know..
The serial number is 12x. I'm surprised.. some of the ones that have sold used have been in the 140 range. I'd presume those to be 20 years old or more.
Setup seems pretty good. The low D-flat is very hard to get out, pad height slightly off I think. There are adjustment screws on most of the bottom pads. There's a lot of things that have to line up to get the low C to work.
Overall it feels more like a bass clarinet than I expected, especially in the clarion register.
There's no "LL" or other identifying mark, and I'm not sure how to say what member of the LeBlanc family it may be most closely related to. I might be able to measure the bore this weekend.
I'll post other reactions as I have them. Any pointers for how to evaluate the thing would be appreciated.
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2014-04-20 04:20
Actual measured bore size (using a digital caliper, not ideal since its hard to hit the full radius): entry of left hand joint, 14.76mm, exit 14.52 mm.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-04-20 14:16
(First post here, so Hi everyone)
This performance features what looks to be a Leblanc basset clarinet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E26-wPLumFw
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2014-04-21 09:34
Thanks. I'll check out the video when I can.
I have found this horn to be extremely resistant, to the point that I don't see how I'd make it through either of the Mozart pieces with any artistic effect. I like a little resistance, but this thing seems to take a lot more effort than I'm comfortable with. I'm not sure if this is normal on a basset.
Another little note, the key setup does present some problems. For example, in the Quintet measure 103, the low "D" is very hard to get to from the preceding C# since they are on the same finger. You might be able to do the switch if playing this section staccato.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-04-22 02:16
I have a Ridenour basset which I thought had the same fingering as Leblanc. D is on the left pinky, C# is on the right. I found one awkward passage in the Mozart concerto where you trill E/F and then end the trill D-E-F.
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The Clarinet Pages
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