 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-08-01 03:32
Does anyone here have a Leblanc basset horn? Preferably one with the newer non s-shaped neck. I need some measurements of the neck of one of these instruments as i'm trying to make a wooden basset horn neck.
Thanks,
Edit:
To clarify, some of the dimensions i'm looking for are:
The diameter of the socket on the body of the instrument
The length of the tenon on the neck
The center to center distance from the end on the tenon to the end of the socket
And lastly, a picture of the neck next to a ruler would be super helpful
-Jdbassplayer
Post Edited (2019-08-01 03:50)
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2019-08-03 01:55
Attachment: 20190802_222400.jpg (718k)
I have a Leblanc basset; beautiful instrument. It's from 1985, but looks like it was made yesterday. Does that count as "newer"?
The internal diameter of the top socket on the body is 21.43 mm
The length of the tenon on the neck is 20.25 mm
I wasn't sure how to interpret "The center to center distance from the end on the tenon to the end of the socket". It sounds a bit like you're after the total length of the neck, but this isn't so easy as it's curved. It's 87.20 mm on the inside of the curve and 103.00 mm on the outside of the curve. I attach a picture that I hope clarifies what the 87.20 means. If you want any other measurements, please do ask.
Also, I'd love to see a picture of how your neck turns out.
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Author: SteveP
Date: 2019-08-03 02:12
Attachment: IMG_0981.JPG (103k)
Using a dial micrometer, I measure:
Socket interior - - 21.5 mm
Tenon depth - - 20 mm
Tenon to socket - - 82 mm
Picture attached.
The interior measurement is a pipe cleaner estimate - very hard to do.
Steve
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Author: SteveP
Date: 2019-08-03 02:21
I assumed that you meant the tenon to socket length to be the distance from the bottom of the mouthpiece socket to the bottom of the tenon at the other end, measured down the center of the bore. I estimated by holding a bent pipe cleaner down the center, marking the ends at the right places and measuring.
That's how I got 82 mm. This is probably +/- 2mm. I bought my horn new in the late 90's. Serial 9749. There is a much earlier thread on serial number issues/body styles. Use the search function.
Steve
Post Edited (2019-08-03 02:23)
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-08-03 02:51
Thanks guys these are super helpful! I will post pictures when it is complete.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2019-08-03 18:46
It occurred to me that you will probably also want the bore diameter in the neck: this is 18.02 mm, and as far as I can tell it's the same throughout.
The mouthpiece cup internal diameter is 24.00 mm. I can't easily measure the depth of the cup, but the tenon on my mouthpiece is 17.4 mm long, so it has to be at least that.
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Author: JohnP
Date: 2019-08-04 11:55
Off topic but I thought I’d post this link
https://youtu.be/wa-DwYOi6p8
It’s Non piu di Fiori, the basset horn obbligato from Clemenza, sung by Janet Baker and played by my old colleague Fred Lowe on a Leblanc basset horn.
John
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-08-05 20:56
When did Leblanc basset horns have an S-shaped crook?
I thought they had a curved crook like Vito, Normandy and Noblet alto clarinets (Leblanc altos having the longer S-shaped crook).
Incidentally, what are the vital statistics of a Vito/Normandy/Noblet alto clarinet crook? I'm wondering if they're the same as a Leblanc basset horn crook.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2019-08-05 21:44
Thanks for that lovely link John.
I assume that the Leblanc with it's larger bore and mouthpiece would come across well in the Cov Gdn pit.
I know that Ted Planas was a great fan of the narrow bore Selmer and did on occasions perform on it at the Garden. Did you ever hear him play there and could make a comparison of how the Leblanc vs Selmer worked in that acoustic.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-08-05 23:31
Chris,
I've seen at least one Leblanc basset horn with the s shaped neck, but it was being sold as a possible prototype so maybe it was just a one off instrument. I believe a board member has that particular instrument now so I wanted to make the distinction just so there was no confusion.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: JohnP
Date: 2019-08-06 10:38
Caroline
I don’t remember Ted playing the basset in the pit in my time. Although Fred managed to make the Leblanc sound great we eventually replaced it after Fred had left with a Buffet which was much better in terms of both sound and intonation.
John
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Author: larryb
Date: 2019-08-07 06:10
Jd,
Very interested to know how your wooden Leblanc basset horn project turns out.
My metal neck seems to get very warm when I play it, and I've often wondered if that creates pitch issues and if a wooden neck would help by being more stable in terms of temperature.
Are you trying to solve a particular problem by making a wooden neck?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2019-08-09 08:46
>> I can't easily measure the depth of the cup <<
Assuming you mean the socket, you can use the rod at the end of that caliper to get a rough measurement of that (more than accurate enough in most cases).
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2019-10-14 15:43
jdbassplayer,
Did you ever get to make anything of this neck?
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2020-03-09 16:46
Here’s how the final product came out:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7hNkKtAG8C/
Ive been really happy with how these custom necks I’ve been making have turned out and so far I’ve received quite a lot of positive feedback. I’m now experimenting with 3D printed wood composite to see if there’s a way to make a more affordable version.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2020-03-10 04:16
Unfortunately I didn't have a Leblanc to test it out on, but if you go to Ron Ford's Facebook or Instagram you can hear him testing it out (4 posts above this one). To me it sounds beautiful, although i'm sure that's mostly due to him.
For my own basset horn there isn't much of a difference in sound, but the response is a bit better which is why I use it.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2023-01-26 02:52
Just out of interest I had a sterling silver neck made for a 76Leblanc Basset horn. IMHO the sound was a bit rounder especially in the top end, arguably the response improved.
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