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Re: Which A?

Author: William
Date: 2014-11-05 20:04

Two thoughts, the first one being AVOID EBAY in purchasing an A. It is important that you be able to 'try before you buy' so that you do not get stuck with someone else's reject which is often the case with auction site offerings. A clarinets are quite finicky, much more so than Bb's, so it is important that you find one that you can play--one that will project over the orchestra when needed and one that you can play in tune. Buffet seems to be the favorite choice of clarinetist's that "know".

Second thought, you should know that your Leblanc Sonata Bb is the acoustical twin of the top Leblanc Opus model clarinet. According to Tom Ridenour who designed Leblanc's top clarinets, the Sonata "plays the same and is made from the same woodpile". The real advantage of the Concerto and Opus clarinets is in the key work, not the acoustics. In fact, Tom told me when I was visiting the Kenosha factory where he was still working that if it were him, "he would pick a pair of Sonata Bb & A clarinets and save a lot of money". FWIW, I didn't listen and bought a pair of Concerto models. I still play the Bb, but have gone back to a vintage R13 A that I rescued from a local high school inventory where it was wasting away (I bought it, I didn't steal it, LOL).

Bottom lines: your Sonata Bb is a professional level instrument, acoustically--a more expensive "top pro" clarinet may not play any better. And avoid the auction site. I would try Lisa's Clarinet Shop, a sponser of this BB who makes regular trips to the Buffet factory in Jacksonville, FL to select top clarinets for her customers. She is an expert clarinetist and know how to pick the ones that play.

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