Leblanc France L1189CS Concerto Clarinet in "C" Made in USA

LEBLANC L1189CS Details ^top

The Concerto in the key of C is completely redesigned to match the the Opus 1190CS acoustic, except that it offers the standard 17-key, 6-ring mechanism. Its scale is impeccable, with upper tones that stay warm in color and round in shape. Response is remarkably fluid and secure, and the tone is so dark and warm as to be indistinguishable from the Bb clarinet.

Specifications
Key:C
Bore: 14.50 mm (.570")
Key mechanism: 17 keys, 6 rings
Key style: Offset trill keys
Body material: Aged grenadilla wood
Pad cup style: Ronds bombés (rounded)
Key finish: Silver-plated
Mouthpiece: 2550-K10M
Case: Deluxe wood-shell

LEBLANC L1189CS LeBlanc History ^top

From Eb soprano to contrabass, new Leblanc USA clarinets offer a combination of unparalleled quality, easy playability and innovative design considerations that allows students to learn and succeed quickly. Leblanc USA soprano clarinets feature a cushioned, adjustable thumb rest and are fully outfitted for the serious student.

For decades, Vito clarinets set the standard for student clarinets, and four Bb soprano models now comprise this line.

On all Leblanc USA and Vito clarinets, undercut tone holes provide for uniform response and excellent tonal emission throughout the entire range. Power-forged nickel-silver keys provide maximum strength and a crisp, positive feel. Unique in-line “Jump” trill keys put pads in direct vertical contact with their tone holes and the nuisance of water “gurgle” is virtually eliminated. Balanced key suspension and natural positioning of keys and spatulas provide every Leblanc USA and Vito with lightning-fast key action that encourages the player's agility and confidence.

All Leblanc USA and Vito Bb soprano clarinets feature the exclusive Positive Radial Alignment Guide, or PRAG (U.S. patent 5,000,072) to ensure the proper alignment of the instrument's upper and lower joints, crucial to clarinet performance. In addition, all Leblanc USA and Vito clarinets feature a new seven-year manufacturer's warranty against joint cracking or breaking, now the best warranty of its kind in the industry.

Review of LEBLANC 1189CS

RATING:

Sound Quality	10
Features	10
Ease Of Use	10
Value	10
Reliability	10
Overall	10

The Leblanc Concerto C clarinet is everything it is advertised to be. The tone is smooth, even, resonant and easily controlable, even in the throat and high C areas, with a fullness very close to that of the Bb clarinet but with a particulary engaging youthfulness and sweetness which sets it apart from the larger instrument. I have had excellent results with 5RV-lyre and Gregory Smith mouthpieces. The intonation is exceptionally good except for high F and F#, which are a little flat with the normal fingerings but very good with the long fingerings. This clarinet is excellent for chamber music as well as orchestral use. I recently used it to play an entire trio program with a bassoonist and pianist we can now more easily adapt works originally written for other instruments. This clarinet also opens the door to the very large repertory of 18th-century oboe and flute music - a lesser instrument would not sing the music as well. MusiciansBuy also earns five stars for their prompness and thoroughness in processing and shipping my internet order.

-Michael A. Kimbell
-Pacifica, Calif., 02/01/07

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