 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Karen J.
Date: 2001-08-21 20:07
Well, guys, I admit it . . . it was me! I’M the one the bought that Leblanc Contrabass paperclip on eBay last week!
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1454173762
I was very hesitant to do so. And even more hesitant to let you guys know what I did! What if I totally blew it?!?! What if it’s just a scam?!?! (Been there, done that!) What if it’s just a pile of garbage?!?!
The pictures weren’t that good, and the seller’s feedback (along with the instrument price) was pretty low. But I asked the seller questions, and she answered them openly and honestly. Plus, seller was willing to use the escrow service. I decided to take a chance. I played a straight contrabass in high school and have always dreamed of playing one again.
The contrabass arrived last night! Yes, it needs some work. Some keys are bent. It needs a repad, a new mouthpiece, and a new case . . .but I CAN get some notes out of it! And the notes I can get out of it are really cool!!! (Mr. Butler, are you willing to take on another paperclip??)
Now, I’m looking for someone in the San Jose / SF Bay area that can take at look at my new beast and give me an expert opinion. I’ve got a two-week approval period and I’m pretty sure I’ll keep my new toy, but I’d really like a sanity check. Can you guys recommend someone to me?
All the serial numbers match (#6xx). Dave at Leblanc tells me it was made in 1961 or 1962. Their records start in 1965 with numbers in the 1,000’s.
By the way, the horn arrived without a floor peg. But within two dollars and ten minutes my wonderful husband fashioned a floor peg for me that works perfectly! The receptacle was there. We just went to the hardware store, picked out a piece of 5/16” steel rod and a rubber tip. We came home, my hubby drilled some holes in the rod for the securing pin and viola!
A big thank you to Ken Shaw for some very sound advice during this transaction. And also a thank you to Mark for posting the 800 number for Leblanc. I love this list!
Karen J.
San Jose, CA
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-08-22 00:57
Karen,
I would be "up" for your LeBlanc contra. I guess yours would be the third, maybe fourth, overhaul on one of this vintage for me this year. Must be the "age" of the contra. Contact me offline.
John
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-08-22 04:48
Congrats on getting your own contra. I know how good it feels as I got my own EEb Leblanc a couple months ago. The only thing I found wrong with mine is the mouthpiece will barely play though it looks like brand new. This may be why mine sat in someones storage for years without playing it, so it is in prestine condition. My quest now is to scrounge up some bucks for a good mouthpiece or have one of mine refaced. Happy honking!
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Author: IHL
Date: 2001-08-22 11:55
just what our school band needs, in my opinion
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-22 17:23
AS an aside, YES ... the Seller had LIMITED eBay experience, but to call it LOW is not being fair! Before _your_ auction, The Seller had 18 chances to screwup, or alternatively to meet the expectations of others - they CLEARLY had done the latter. I would also point out (as an eBay Seller), that the Seller here took a "flyer" on you --- they could have had a problem with YOU, as you have less experience than they do! Am I surprised that it worked out for you? NOT ONE BIT. Success story? SURE, but it's "easy" to get there if you follow the suggested guidelines that have been posted here on Sneezy before (the best of them? - Pay by CC through BillPoint when you can, they allow chargebacks from your credit card company). best, mw
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2001-08-22 19:49
Karen J.--
You might give Clark Fobes in San Francisco a call. (Note that there is no R in his last name.) He is a sneezy sponsor and his number is on his web site. He plays bass clarinet and makes bass (and soprano) clarinet mouthpieces. I'm sure he can help you directly or with local references.
Todd W.
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