 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: thedean
Date: 2009-03-06 03:03
I am looking at purchasing a pair of clarinets and have come accross a pair of Leblanc Concerto, Serial #73701 and 71423, obviously they are used. They are priced at $4000.
Could someone tell me if these would be decent clarinets, and if that price is pretty standard or whether they are way over priced. I am going to play them sometime in the next week. But until then i wanted to find out if any one new anythng helpful about Leblanc Concerto clarinets.
I have searched here but haven't found anything specific.
I currently play a Buffet BC20, with a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and Francous Louis Lig.
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-06 14:21
Leblanc Concertos are very good clarinets which are in the same price range as Buffet R13/RC, although some people prefer them to the more expensive Leblanc Opus.
I think the average price in the UK for a used set of Concertos is somehwere between £1800 and £2400 depending on age and condition (and whether it's a private or dealer sale).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-03-06 14:57
Those serial numbers are close to my A & Bb Concertos which I bought new, from the factory, (early '90's) for $1950 approx each. Auditioned many--some bad, many "good" and a few, exceptional. If your set plays well for you, then they are probably worth it. Good luck.
FWIW--I still have my set of Leblanc Concertos which I will never part with, but am currently playing my vintage set of Buffet R13s. They just seem to allow more musical nuance than the Leblancs. The Leblancs seem "stiff" in comparison, but are much more in tune and even between registers. For me, it's a trade off--I can play the Buffets in tune and enjoy their flexability and projection....but the Leblancs are easier to play--up to you, I guess.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2009-03-06 15:31
I can't comment on the price but I used to own a pair of Leblanc Concertos, but sold the Bb in favour of a Buffet R13. However I simply could not part with the A nor have I ever played a better one, which I guess makes me extremely lucky! Beautiful dark tone with a lovely bright 'ping' to the sound, as well as even scale and superior intonation make Leblanc clarinets great. That said, I sold my Bb Concerto because it wasn't the best instrument (it certainly isn't the worst though!), so make sure they're both really great instruments. Also, find out why the owner is selling... The new owner of my Bb Concerto wondered why I let go of it and sometimes I still wonder!
Bets of luck though, you might just be getting an awesome deal!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-06 15:38
I was considering a pair of Concertos back in the late '90s and tried them against my Selmer CTs, but the lack of keywork options/extras put me off. But I did like the huge resonant tone they had, especially in the lower register.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2009-03-08 15:43
Try for a week or two, or better a few more weeks, before buy.
richard smith
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-03-09 17:57
The street price for a new Concerto II Bb is around $2800. The only Concerto I could find in a completed auction on eBay failed to sell on a Buy-It-Now of $850 but it had a repaired hairline crack in the upper joint. You're looking at instruments that are around 15 years old so, in my opinion (but note that I am not in the market for Leblanc clarinets) they are overpriced. The general rule of thumb is to pay around 50% of new street price for a used instrument in mint condition. I think $2,000 - $3,000 is probably closer to a reasonable price in a private sale, depending on condition. If you are willing to treat the purchase as a business deal and negotiate (and are willing to walk away from the deal if the seller isn't), I think you should be able to bring the price down. There probably isn't much competition to purchase the instruments and even less at the offered price. How much you can save depends on whether you are dealing with a private seller or a dealer and how badly the seller wants to sell. But to put things in perspective, you can have a pair of brand new Yamaha CSV's for around $4,600 (or CSG's for just under $5,000).
If you are willing to be patient and put some time into a search, I think you can do better than this deal. On the other hand, if you fall in love with the instruments decide you must have them, and can afford them, then the $4,000 may be worth it to you in the long run.
Best regards,
jnk
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