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Re: Leblanc Opus

Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-07-24 01:13

I've worked on both the original Opus and the Opus II (likewise with the original Concerto and Concerto II) clarinets and I much prefer the original keywork as it hasn't got all thise adjusting screws which are usually loose and not providing any benefits anyway.

And I've seen good and bad of both - more good original Opus clarinets (is the plural of Opus 'Opera' in this context?) than bad and more bad Opus IIs than good.

One original Opus I worked on had poor key fitting, especially the RH ring keys which had the inside front edges filed out and left razor sharp as they were fouling on the front edges of the RH tonehole chimneys. Filed right through the plating leaving the copper flash and base metal exposed. Also other areas where clearances had to be made by filing left those areas without any plating. Not such a problem on an entry level clarinet, but not acceptable on a high end one.

Key fitting was done at a very late stage in the production of Leblanc clarinets (as it is with many other companies) so the finished keys (already plated, padded and corked) only came together with the finished joints (pillared, sprung and tenon corks fitted) at the finishing stage and then fitted, pads adjusted to seat and then regulated, so these problems only arose at such a late stage and weren't dealt with properly. Had the keys been mounted to individual instruments at a much earlier stage, the fitting and adjusting would've been done before plating.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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