The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Series G - Leblanc, any ideas

Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-20 22:29

Hi

Anyone know anything about Leblanc's Series G clarinets? Were they "just normal, good quality" or exceptional (like the Selmer Series 9).

Any adivce greatly appreciated.

diz, sydney

Reply To Message

RE: Series G - Leblanc, any ideas

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-03-21 17:56

Hi Diz - I've been hoping that others of us LeBlanc owners {Dee? etc] would speak out our impressions of a very good make of pro insts for years. With my son's-grandson's and my LeB's we cover some 50 years of V G horns and believe it's well carried on by newer models than I have. All of mine are G LeBlancs, has naming been changed? Don

Reply To Message

RE: Series G - Leblanc, any ideas

Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-21 22:18

G'day Don - I was downtown last night and played a few horns as I'm thinking of purchasing new B flat soprano clarinet.

My view on the range I played: the store did not have a huge selection of clarinets but they did have a Leblanc Concerto, a Buffet R-13 and a Buffet Vintage. Having tootelled on them copiously - I've decided, even though I thought the Vintage Buffet was magnificent (didn't like the R-13 at all) that I'll probably end up purchasing the Leblanc Concerto - it was is a toss up, however, but the deciding factor for me was the keywork on the Leblanc. Both the Buffet's I tried had serious intonation problems (especially the R-13 in the high register and their throat B flats were horrible - the alternate throat B flats were fine, however) The Leblanc Concerto's high register was effortless and perfectly in tune, it's chalemau was very rich and mellow (just what I like) and the throat notes were just beautiful.

Now - I did also have a play on a second-hand Selmer Series 9* (which was my "first pro clarinet"). Unfortunately, it was in a sad state, tennon rings, bell rings loose, crappy cork (all fixable). I told the retailer that the owner is asking a little much $2100AU (which is roughly $1050US for a nice instrument made in the 70s).

Soooooo, I've got to now sit down and do some serious thinking. I finally, after being pushed by the retailer, also played a Yamaha pro-horn - and, while it was very nice, I don't think it had the lovely silky rich chalemau of eithe the Leblanc Concerto or the Buffet Vintage.

Now - next step for me is to consult my crystal ball. I certainly won't be buying an R-13 until Buffet fix the high register intonation problems. But the Buffet Vintage was very impressive.

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.