 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-12 16:23
I know... to the purists, pads on a standard Bb seem..... But, they work on bass clarinets and saxes, flutes, oboes.... I know a gent who had flute pads added to his clarinet (7 rings) to aid his arthritic fingers. Given that I'm a beginning clarinet player and have very dry, tough skin (I make furniture), I have a tough time covering the tone hole - sometimes just feeling them is tough.
As long as I have a few horns coming for trials, can anyone recomend a clarinet with plateau keys, or am I asking for a rare bird??
Mitch
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Author: Lynn L
Date: 2002-03-12 16:41
Leblanc makes such an instrument, but I don't recall the model number, so perhaps you can go to their site and get it. But, I thinkthey may be a special order.
Lynn
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-12 17:53
I've seen a couple of full-plateau clarinets on eBay in the last year or so, and as I recall both were Normandy (made by Leblanc). The new Leblanc on-line catalog does not include such an item.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-03-12 18:54
I recently did a minor repad/tuneup on a wood Normandy plateau clarinet (which was in pretty good shape already as-received). It played remarkably well, had none of the stuffiness and dullness of tone I was expecting. Actually had a nice, bright sound and decent intonation --- and since I'm primarily a bass clarinetist, the plateau keywork on the Normandy felt very comfortable to me, although I can play 'regular' clarinets perfectly well.
The only plateau clarinets I've ever seen or heard of have been Normandies (which used to be Leblanc's 'student step-up' line, just above Vito and just below Noblet).
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-03-12 19:11
I believe the Leblanc LL, a pro model horn, is available in plateau system. Probably a special order item.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-03-12 19:21
Purists??? I don't know about 'purists', Mitch. I do know that most people feel that the clarinet that works for you is the best one for you. Plateau clarinets are not too uncommon but are not in the majority. They're designed for folks who, for one reason or another (or, multiple reasons), have difficulty covering the open holes. Properly padded and adjusted, they play like a clarinet should play. I have one that has the LH, 3rd(ring) finger hole open and the Thumb hole open. The rest are closed. Because if this, I can only guess it may have been a special order. That's not too uncommon either. It's a plastic 'Three Star' with a Carl Fischer bell. I have no idea who made it - it's not a Normandy. I've seen them in stores, pawn shops, on eBay and actively played by people who, for whatever reason, just like them I bought this one to add to my 'collection'.
I'm sure you'll attract a few more suggestions so, please, don't assume any 'purists' will look down on plateau clarinets.
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-12 19:32
Acording to the LeBlanc site (www.gleblanc.com) page 11, the Noblet 50S model (not shown) is the plateau model. If I get a price, I'll post it just for the curious.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-03-12 21:03
Leblanc also makes a plateau version of their student Vito model.
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Author: clarinetgrammy
Date: 2002-03-12 21:44
Actually, Leblanc makes a Plateau model. Go to their website at www.gleblanc.com and see if you can find it. Every once in a while one will turn up for sale on the classifieds or on eBay.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-12 21:52
I find leblanc's website slightly irritating as they don't have a complete range of pictures of all their product - unlike Selmer or Buffet's comprehensive sites.
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Author: Lawrence
Date: 2002-03-12 22:42
Mitch,
I am the happy owner of the Normandy plateau model that Dave S. worked on. The plateau keys have been a boon to me as I have very large finger tips and inadvertently touch adjacent keys, causing squeeks and bad notes. While the Normandy is not quite an R13, it's pretty good, especially after Dave tweaked it.
I purchased it on eBAy for $200 and thought I got a fair deal. Vito makes a plastic model, the 7214P, which I have never seen, but would bet that it's similar to the Normandy. The picture on LeBLanc's website makes it look like some of the holes are open, but they (LeBLanc) say that's just a quirk in the photo and all the holes are covered. WW&BW's price is $519 which seems good. If I hadn't found the used one, I was going to buy the Vito. I may buy one anyway as a backup. Please let me know how it goes. Us plateau guys need to stick together.
Lawrence
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-13 04:54
Yep, $519.00 for the Vito. It's plastic, but if it sounds good (not expecting R-13 good, but presentable) - what the heck, I'll give it a shot. The E-11 and Noblet 45 are already on the way... I'll give the open tone hole thing another go.
I'll let you know how it all goes.
Mitch
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Author: Lawrence
Date: 2002-03-13 08:18
Mitch,
I just read your other post (Rings 5,6), so I know a bit more of where you're coming from. So, some additional thoughts ...
First, on plastic horns. Nothing wrong with them, IMHO. I've played some fine Vito's and my daughter had a GREAT old Conn (a $7 garage sale purchase) that was wonderful. I saw a pro in New Orleans playing a gig on a plastic student model. Some fine stuff coming out of the end of that horn!
After studying the design of my Normandy plateau, I observe that they are pretty complicated beasts, especially when compared to an open hole model. I can't imagine a successful conversion of a non-plateau model to a plateau. They are almost two different animals.
If you try the Vito plateau, watch out for stuffy low B naturals and throat F sharps (and their 12th overtones). Those are the particular problem areas on my Normandy, although it is much better after Dave's work. That problem may be percular to my horn; it may be the nature of the beast. Keep us posted.
Lawrence
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