 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Drakey92
Date: 2014-11-05 15:06
Hi all,
I'm a music student, so I do a fair bit of playing and am looking at getting an A clarinet. I always find it really awkward when I'm asked to play with an orchestra and I have to beg and borrow an A clarinet for certain pieces. I think I do really need one, so the real question is:
Do I buy an intermediate one to match my beloved Bb (LeBlanc Sonata) or buy a better one with a view to one day upgrade my Bb too?
As a student, I don't have a great deal of money so I was looking at a Buffet E13 (you can't go wrong?). Or would a second-hand one be worth it if I could find one (I hate eBay these days)?
Sorry there are so many questions, I'm having quite the dilemma!
Thanks
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Author: William
Date: 2014-11-05 20:04
Two thoughts, the first one being AVOID EBAY in purchasing an A. It is important that you be able to 'try before you buy' so that you do not get stuck with someone else's reject which is often the case with auction site offerings. A clarinets are quite finicky, much more so than Bb's, so it is important that you find one that you can play--one that will project over the orchestra when needed and one that you can play in tune. Buffet seems to be the favorite choice of clarinetist's that "know".
Second thought, you should know that your Leblanc Sonata Bb is the acoustical twin of the top Leblanc Opus model clarinet. According to Tom Ridenour who designed Leblanc's top clarinets, the Sonata "plays the same and is made from the same woodpile". The real advantage of the Concerto and Opus clarinets is in the key work, not the acoustics. In fact, Tom told me when I was visiting the Kenosha factory where he was still working that if it were him, "he would pick a pair of Sonata Bb & A clarinets and save a lot of money". FWIW, I didn't listen and bought a pair of Concerto models. I still play the Bb, but have gone back to a vintage R13 A that I rescued from a local high school inventory where it was wasting away (I bought it, I didn't steal it, LOL).
Bottom lines: your Sonata Bb is a professional level instrument, acoustically--a more expensive "top pro" clarinet may not play any better. And avoid the auction site. I would try Lisa's Clarinet Shop, a sponser of this BB who makes regular trips to the Buffet factory in Jacksonville, FL to select top clarinets for her customers. She is an expert clarinetist and know how to pick the ones that play.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-11-05 20:38
If anything, I prefer the Leblanc Sonata over the Concerto and Opus as the Sonata has the better keywork. The top joint side and trill keys are inline so they're set above the centre line of the bore, so the side F# and Eb/Bb toneholes aren't as likely to get waterlogged as the offset and lower sitting toneholes on the Concerto and Opus.
If you like Leblancs, then also look for used LL, L7, LX2000, L27 and similar A clarinets which you may find for a steal.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2014-11-05 20:50
I've played and owned two Leblanc Symphonie II A and they were/are both great instruments and values. I know they are old but if you find a good barrel they are great. With the stock barrel they are flat and resistive. I use the Ridenour barrels from a basset A on the one I currently play.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2014-11-06 02:23
Why not go with Tom Ridenour's Libertas "A" clarinet? You'll save a LOT of money, and get a top of the line true professional instrument.
Ken Jarczyk, Woodwind Guy.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
Post Edited (2014-11-06 02:24)
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2014-11-06 02:32
How about having a look at the 2nd hand list at Howarth in London?
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-11-06 04:09
Where abouts in UK are you?
I have a couple of pairs in my stock (926 and 1010) and I think from memory I should have 3 individual A clarinets (Leblanc LL, B&H 926 and Leblanc Esprit).
The Esprit is essentially as brand new and many players consider it superior to the E13 (it's certainly better made).
If interested contact me offline.
My contact can be found on the NAMIR website if it's not on this board.
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Author: William
Date: 2014-11-06 19:47
Re my posting, I should have mentioned that I own a Leblanc Concerto A which was worked on by Tom and is a dream to play. Even scale from bottom to top, excellent intonation and the sweetest sound. Only problem is, it just does not project to the "back of the room" when needed, so I play a vintage R13 A that does, and actually pretty well matches my Leblanc Concerto Bb, also worked on by Tom, which does 'project' well. The switch between the two is practically "seamless". But my point is, Leblanc clarinets are made very well, both acoustically and physically. Chances of finding a "good one" are much better than many of the other manufacture's products.
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