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Re: Leblanc Low C Neck

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-02-05 08:31

>> Even though the Leblanc is cylindrical <<

Do you mean the bore? The Buffet (at least the current model since 1999) and Selmer (if I remember correct from when I measured it) have a cylindrical bore. Or did you mean something else?

>> I see no reason this would be different <<

I agree. Just a personal decision. Since I've done a lot of experiments on Buffet specifically I know what the results are, and they are sometimes very subtle (e.g. affecting notes only when played a specific way). It is about the same on Selmer. I've moved register vents on lesser known brands that played lousy with the stock position. I would be more cautious just because I haven't actually done that on a Leblanc, but if someone was interested in experimenting based on theory I would do it, knowing that it might end up as a volunteer experiment if they like it less and want it to revert to how it was.

>> When I got my bass the register vent was only 2.6mm in diameter compared to 3mm for the new 1193. However I have since drilled it out to 3.2mm which has made a huge improvement to the point where I now greatly prefer it to a stock 1193. <<

Yes that older model has a particularly small vent. The current 1193 vent is 3mm. Most players who I enlarged it for end up preferring a 3.3mm diameter, which also happens to be the largest diameter I'm willing to drill a stock 1193 vent (OD was 4.07mm last time I measured one).

Here is an example on the 1193 of how specific the differences are. On my bass I use a 3.5mm hole. This is the minimum required to completely solve the problem of some legato intervals, especially when played loud. At 3.3mm you can already feel the issue starting to creep in and more the smaller the vent hole is. Most of the altissimo responds best with a 2.5mm to 2.8mm diameter hole. Even with the stock 3mm you can feel the tiniest difference. So it is a matter of best compromise for each person,

If I remember the last Selmer I measured (not sure if it was a Privilege or a 37 but the necks are possibly the same) the neck vent hole was 4mm. However a 4mm on the 1193 compromises the altissimo way too much for me. On the Selmer, you can feel it, but it's not nearly as much.

I can't check my notes now, but the Selmer and possibly the Buffet neck vent holes are tapered... maybe. I have to check again.

Leblancs (other than Vitos) are so rare here that I can't really experiment much with them.

>>This tells me this design decision was done to same money, not produce the best possible instrument. <<

Definitely possible, but it does seem weird to make such a big compromise considering the cost of the entire instrument. Especially since the mechanism is different from all the other Leblancs with the single vent mech anyway, so it's not like they used the Vito mech.

>> Otherwise my plan is simply to remove the existing pad cup and key arm and install a key arm that goes off to the right side of the instrument <<

That's a great idea and even simpler.
At a somehow (but not outrageously) higher cost it could even be made in a way that is pretty easily reversible.

>> The Vito register vent is actually slightly bigger at 2.5mm <<

Just eyeballing it did look like it's pretty small in that first photo of the Leblanc.

Now I'm curious what is the ID of the 430 lower vent? Is it really significantly smaller than the buffet like it looks in the photo? Since it aligns pretty well with the Buffet, maybe enlarging this vent would also have an improvement... or not.

Post Edited (2023-02-05 12:15)

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