Author: jasonalder
Date: 2020-08-12 06:07
old post, but exactly relevant to the research I'm doing right now, and there's some things I need to correct...
The "old" model (possibly called 52), had all 4 trill keys, 2 register keys, an altissimo half-hole mechanism, forked A♭/E♭, and went to C. Only about 25 of them were made, I currently know where 4 of them are.
Then the model 340 that had 2 register keys, no other extended keywork features, and only 1 trill key, and went to D. I have reason to believe there should be low C models as well, but I haven't actually found one yet.
Then they switched to an automatic register key system instead of 2 separate keys, still predominantly low D instruments, but also some low Cs which were model 345.
Then they stopped producing low D models and only made low C, and started calling low C instruments model 340, and now they all just get called model 340. The model name isn't actually stamped anywhere on the instrument, so it's a bit irrelevant anyway.
Then they switched to a one piece lower joint, instead of a separate low C and C♯ foot joint.
Then they stopped production in France, moved it to Kenosha, and made the black models. They're identical in design, but I've heard they're not as good. But I haven't actually tried one to know for sure. I don't know for sure how many of these were made, but I don't think it was so many.
And now they've stopped production altogether, although the JinBao factory makes a copy, but all one piece- no upper and lower joints.
The model 342 is straight, metal and only goes to E♭. I haven't paid much attention to them, but they play better than the plastic Leblancs, and also come apart into two pieces so are more transportable.
Model 350 is the paperclip contra-alto, although it's the same bore size as the contrabass (30mm) and takes a contrabass mouthpiece. They didn't start producing it until later, so it only ever had 1 automatic register key, but does have 3 trill keys. There were no significant changes to the instrument over the years.
Model 352 is the straight metal contra-alto. I know less about it than I do the 342.
I'll have an even more detailed article referencing years and serial numbers coming soon.
Post Edited (2020-08-13 02:26)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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