The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mrdi
Date: 2002-08-16 21:08
Anyone have any experience or knowledge of the differences between the new LeBlanc Pete Fountain "Big Easy" and the older Pete Fountain Model??
Thanks,
Mrdi
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Author: SJ
Date: 2002-08-18 01:41
I was wondering the same thing. I've been playing a P. Fountain gold model for years. It's a great horn for my purposes, primarily big band and jazz. However, going back to my Buffet feels great and alot easier to control. I think the"Big Easy" model is just a marketing update for the same horn.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-08-18 18:31
I'm inclined to agree with SJ, the P F has been around for many years, as have the several other "big bore" [.590"/15.0 mm] LeBlancs. With all of us aging, Pete included [dont hear much about him any more], a new association with N O Jazz would perhaps be desireable. Maybe Tom Ridenour would know of differences [if any] . If anyone can find a "Big Easy" in a music store, please ask if they have any LeB info concerning it, and report! Don
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-08-19 15:01
I get the Bell magazine, which is a Leblanc publication for its dealers, but which occasionally has interesting things to say about the instruments and playing.
They claim there is a significant difference in playing qualities between the original Fountain model and the Big Easy, and Fountain himself says so. On the other hand, Leblanc's instrument descriptions have been known to be fanciful in the past....
I think the Big Easy costs less than the Fountain. It seems odd for Leblanc to undercut one model with another that plays the same. However at least the promo literature has Fountain saying the BE plays better. Who knows what the mind of Leblanc will come up with.
I haven't tried either, and I'm not a jazz player anyway. I'd be interested in hearing from people who've tried them both, one against the other.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mrdi
Date: 2002-08-19 21:54
Interesting AJ that you find the Buffet ( ) easier to control. I thought one of the attributes of the Fountain was that it was a pretty easy horn to blow. Yet you comment that the Buffet is easier to control ? Any comments would be appreciated.
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Author: connie
Date: 2002-08-20 23:13
"Easier to control" for me means it isn't as hard to play in tune. The BE is more flexible for jazz, and thus easier to bend notes. I can do a half-decent smear on the BE, but not on my Buffet. My teacher can bend an altissimo C down an entire octave on the BE. (I can't!) So if it's ensemble playing and I have to hit the intonation on the head, I use my Buffet; if I'm soloing and can play with the notes some, I use the Big Easy. And it's louder.
connie
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-08-26 21:16
Connie -
I've been thinking about picking up a BE. What kind of setup do you recommend for it? Open mpc and weaker reed? I understand that's better for jazz. Normally, I'm using a B45 and Mitchell Lurie 4 1/2s, or Grand Concert 4s.
.....Vic
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