 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-02-05 05:41
So, I've been a die hard Selmer fan; 2 bass clarinets, as well as a number of soprano clarinets. Mostly old stuff; a '37 Balanced Tone, a '71 S1 and my current horn; a "55 full Boehm Centered Tone (range down to Eb and yeah, I use it...fits beautifully in Creole Love Call).
I play shows and a lot jazz and swing...hence the big bore horns.
I'd been reading about the Leblanc vs Buffet wars (I'm from the 60s, peace and love, man)...and came across a LeBlanc Opus, reworked by John Parrete, so I had confidence leaks, intonation other quirks were eradicated.
Horn plays great; and in an initial face to face comparison, I find the tone equal (I play a Portnoy BP02 I've had for over 40 years), but am very impressed by the playability of the LeBlanc. As a doubler who has to keep any number of chops on any number of horns, I find the LeBlanc a very easy blowing horn, yet, still full of tone and character.
I've only just started playing on it...but so far, am very impressed.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2016-02-05 14:00
Ah, relax--it's perfectly OK to love more than one marque of clarinet. I also play shows, big band, and beer tent gigs; accordingly, the big-bore instruments of yesteryear are of special interest to me, too.
In my clarinet rotation, you'll find Backun, Boosey & Hawkes, Conn, Noblet, Pan American, Pruefer, and Ridenour instruments. The Leblanc LL and Selmer Centered Tone are on my wish list.
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Author: TAS
Date: 2016-02-05 20:56
I use a Buffet R13 (I have two, vintage 1959 and 1962).
When I played lots of jazz at clubs, I used a Leblanc LL7. I sold it many years ago It was a cool instrument and extremely well constructed. The person who bought it was told it had a 90 proof bore from my club drinking and playing days.
Play what you like - and your audience likes.
TAS
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-02-05 21:01
Now I know why I have to change pads so often...the alcohol dries them out
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-02-05 21:11
My main clarinets are old Selmers (Eb, Bb and A), but I do own a few Buffets (Eb, basset horn and bass and a cracked full Boehm R13) and a couple of Yamahas (YCL-24 and an alto). And a Masspacher (Couesnon) C clarinet.
I've owned a Leblanc LL and some B&H clarinets as well, so not one to stick to one make and one make only.
There are many players that don't have matching Bb/A sets - not just different models, but by totally different makes as they've found the same model A clarinet isn't what they like (maybe too resistant or for a variety of other reasons) and have found the ideal A clarinet from another maker.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-02-06 00:36
I "discovered" Leblanc when I tested clarinets in a shop. I played topline Buffets and then the shopkeeper thought I should test a second-hand Leblanc Concerto and talked well about the brand. I had no previous experience but found out it played as good over the register break as the Buffet Divine I tested, and better than the RC Prestige.
The Selmer clarinet that is most similar to the Opus must be the Privilege. If you have to play at A=440 the Opus is a better choice. The Privilege comes only in a 442 version and the tuning breaks down when you pull the barrel. The "compromise" 441 Seles Presence or the 440 versions of the Recital or Signature are better choices in that situation.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2016-02-06 00:55
I play a Selmer CT on most gigs. But I also have a set of 1951 Fritz Wurlitzer Reform Boehms I like to bust out occasionally. If I had a Pete Fountain model Leblanc, I'd probably play that too. Anyone wishing to donate one to my cause, please email me.
Play what you dig.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-02-06 05:44
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The earliest CT I've owned (which had a very slightly different 'Centered Tone' logo on the top joint compared to my P, Q and R series ones) was an N series with all original joints and large hexagonal speaker bush. The serial number was in the N84xx region. The top joint had cracked but had been pinned instead of being transplanted.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-02-06 05:54
Where did the reply above my previous one with photos of the other CT go?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-02-06 06:15
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Well, let's try this from a different angle! Besides various other wonderful clarinets, I also have a pair of "big bore" clarinets, a Leblanc Dynamic H from 1959/1960 (dates right on the cusp) and a Selmer Centered Tone, with an interesting history. The Centered Tone's serial number actually would date it to be a Balanced Tone. Apparently, the Selmer Factory Repair facility in Elkhart replaced the top joint of the clarinet with a brand new Centered Tone upper joint, and stamped the serial number to match the bottom. I found this to be pretty standard practice then, and the bottom joints of the BT and CT are identical.
The Leblanc Dynamic H is quite the wonderful instrument, both for jazz and classical! I enjoy playing it very much, in any genre. It is the clarinet that converted Pete Fountain to Leblanc, and was in later years re-marked as the Pete Fountain Clarinet.
The Centered Tone is also a joy to blow! That great Selmer fingerboard feel! Superb control too, ppp to FFF with effortless ability.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-02-06 06:42
Well, wait...the top joint bore on the BT was very different from the CT, especially after the changeover which was what?...1955 or there abouts?
I don't recall if the bottom joint bore changed.
But, apparently, the change was good from what you say.
I specifically looked for an R series CT with the modified bore....I was just lucky to find one with the full Boehm treatment....though I really dig the alternate Eb....including on the LeBlanc Opus.
I compared the CT to my BT and chose the CT...better player. And I had played the BT for over 15 years on Miller band and other gigs needing that clarinet lead.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-02-06 13:55
Clarineteer wrote:
> I was told by an expert that the Opus II was the best Leblanc
> ever made.
I agree with your expert, although it is my impression that the Concertos were made with more consistency. The Opus is more free blowing.
Tom Ridenour's design combined with the craftsmanship and know-how in La Couture-Boussey was a good combination.
As I understand, the main part of the income for instrument makers comes from student instruments. Leblanc couldn't compete with Asian instrument makers.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-02-06 16:04
Concerto II and Opus II keywork was the worst ever made. While it may have been a good design, the execution was terrible. Absolutely no need for those grub screws on the crow's foot and they were always loose, so didn't do the job they were meant to.
The older Leblancs had the best keywork in my opinion.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2016-02-07 14:27
Chris P wrote:
> Absolutely no need for those grub screws on the crow's foot and
> they were always loose, so didn't do the job they were meant
> to.
I can agree on that. The friction of the plastic screw declines over time. Then you have to put some material (grease, teflon tape) into the threads to create friction.
Backun MoBa clarinets have those adjustment screws but with a more robust design.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2016-02-08 09:22
I had a Leblanc LL full-boehm A clarinet for awhile (with range down to concert C, whoo!), it was a wonderful instrument and I enjoyed it a lot. It just played so differently from my Buffet R-13 at the time, I wanted something similar so I sold it and bought an R-13 A. I kind of miss it!
Also had some random Leblanc A I bought from someone on local classifieds for $200. Apparently they wanted to get rid of what their elementary band teacher called an "awful, out of tune, instrument." I got it overhauled and it served a number of my students as an excellent loaner for youth orchestra, very even scale, excellent keywork, just good all-around.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-02-13 02:18
Attachment: selmerclarinets 001.JPG (792k)
Getting Selmer Mental Over View! (see attachment)
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: spage
Date: 2016-02-14 15:05
Nice.... [snarfs photo]. Glances over shoulder at cupboard. Considers. Decides against. Too much hassle and also I don't have anywhere as suitable as that for an overview (nor are some of my online purchases yet in a publically viewable state, and a Marchi system is t'other side of town with my duet partner (who, to balance the books, has a small family of Leblanc LLs).
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