 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-12-11 04:22
Has anyone tried the new Libertas Clarinet in A offered by Tom Ridenour? Is it a good match for his Libertas Bb model?
Whoops. I guess it's not out yet. I'll wait till next year and ask again.
Post Edited (2014-12-11 09:36)
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2014-12-11 09:30
They are not making Libertas in A, and are not planning to at this time. This is what Ted Ridenour told me a few weeks ago. However they have significantly upgraded the 575A. I'm awaiting one to try later this month.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-15 04:00
I suspect when/if we see the Libertas in A, it will be a bit more expensive than the 575A. For the factory to start-up a totally new design that has a smaller market (because it is pitched in A) is expensive, because the new tooling/setup/procedure cost has to be spread out over fewer sales. The Libertas has some extra features and details anyway (e.g. locked key posts) that increase production cost, regardless of the factory setup charges.
I have a Lyrique Libertas and a Lyrique student instrument and planning on buying a 576BC. The 576BC is different, but has some characteristics that are useful for certain types of music. I think it's nice to have several good instruments having different personalities to enhance your musical expression.
Tom
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2014-12-15 05:02
Quick question what makes the libertas different from the BC? I heard it was just keywork, but I have a hard time believing that just key work would make it a few hundred dollars more expensive
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-12-15 09:11
>> I have a hard time believing that just key work would make it a few hundred dollars more expensive <<
I don't know about these Ridenours specifically, but there can be differences in keys that can make one instrument significantly more expensive to make, eventhough it might look exactly the same to almost any player. Actually it is often invisible and/or subtle differences in keys that are important.
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2014-12-15 18:25
I don't see any difference in the keywork. I'd assume the bore to be the main difference. Tom said it was more flexible that the 576.
We spent time comparing the new Selmer SeleS Presence with a 576 last Friday. Between these two clarinets I'd have to say I'd buy the Lyrique. I'm a big fan of Selmer clarinets, but this Presence was unremarkable.
Post Edited (2014-12-15 18:28)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-20 08:49
I believe that the acoustic designs vary between the Lyrique RCP-576 and Lyrique Libertas ... definitely the keywork is different . The Libertas has locked key posts, for example, which is VERY unusual for non-wood instruments. Some wooden clarinets (where you may really need locked key posts) do not have this feature.
The LH pinky key mechanism and linkage is different.
I suspect that the body machining is also more involved on the Libertas ... as it appears to me, the center tenon has an interesting tapering or undercutting of the edge. The pad covered tone holes seem higher and dome shaped. I also see a short, rapid flare in the last 1/4" of the bottom joint' bore. Seems to have other small visible features that I don't see on my other instruments of various brand and models ...
I have been told, by a reliable source, that there is less reverse taper in the upper joint of the Libertas and not as much undercutting.
So, the Lyrique Libertas might be a considerably different critter than most other designs ...
It's my opinion that the Lyrique Libertas plays with wonderful uniformity of resistance, response, warmth and clarity from note to note and register to register.
Tom
Post Edited (2014-12-21 04:23)
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2014-12-20 08:55
I actually haven't had that same experience with evenness. I might be doing something wrong, but going from A to B is definitely uneven
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-20 18:20
I was actually referring to the B-flat instrument differences between the Lyrique RCP-576 and Libertas. (I haven't played a Ridenour "A" clarinet) ...
Yes, the B-flat and A play differently, I am sure on most brands, just because of the necessary acoustic differences ...at least my Yamahas and Buffets did, quite a bit ...
Sorry, my post might have been confusing ...
Tom
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