Fantastic video! Despite being sped up it was still very clear and easy to watch. What type of camera are you using if I may ask?

@MichaelTumiel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! This was actually shot on an iPhone 8 using the timelapse feature.

I would like to hear you play it at the end to see how everything turned out. A little disappointed we could not hear what it sounded like.

@MichaelTumiel

2 жыл бұрын

I used it to record the soundtrack for the video actually, but I may get it back for maintenance at some point and I can do a follow up video then.

Do you know how much this would cost. Because I’m thinking about fixing up an old and dingy Leblanc bass clarinet. It works for the most part but it’s pretty gross.

I am a bass clarinet player and recently purchased a used one on eBay. To get an idea for this complete repair, buffing, pad replacement and cleaning, I wanted to know how I could get a quote, based on this video example, for a Selmer Bundy (resin)and how you handle those out of State clients that are looking for this same type work to be done. Your time and comments are appreciated.

@MichaelTumiel

7 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! I would recommend sending me an email at michael@truereed.com to get started.

How many hours from tear down to back into customers hands?

@MichaelTumiel

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a great question! I have always been pretty bad about clocking my hours on a given project since I’m usually juggling several at once. But if I had to estimate for this particular overhaul I would say it took about 12-15 hours.

Where can one find pad clamps that size?

@MichaelTumiel

Жыл бұрын

I got a few of these from a shop I used to work at, but I’ll see if I can find the supplier and get back to you!

That is a pro level bass. Noblet, Normandy and Vito were the student level basses made by the Leblanc company.

@MichaelTumiel

2 жыл бұрын

It has a range to low Eb, only has a single-vent register mechanism and is generally not up to the standard of modern professional bass clarinets. It may have been marketed as a professional horn when it was new, but it’s mechanically identical to the Noblets, Normandys and Vitos.

@chrisperyagh

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelTumiel Buffet, Selmer and Yamaha also offer pro level basses built to low Eb. Leblanc low C basses are identical to this low Eb model except for the extended range to low C where they spliced an extra section to the regular low Eb lower joint with the socket ring at the join. Leblanc basses are indeed backward in their design compared to the others with the double speaker mechanism, but they were still marketed as pro level basses and some (both low EB and low C models) had the RH forked Ab/Eb mechanism which is more versatile in some ways compared to the LH Ab/Eb lever. The C#/G# mechanism on Leblanc basses is a two part affair and has the tonehole on the front instead of around the side as the single piece C#/G# key on Noblet, Normandy and Vito basses. There were also some Leblanc basses made with a double speaker mechanism. All pro level Leblanc basses have the large double metal socket that fits over a tenon on the top end of the top joint whereas the student models have a much simpler affair with either a socket directly in the wood (as seen on Noblet basses) or a metal socket set into the top (as on plastic Normandys and Vitos). The saving grace with Leblanc basses (and most decently made single speaker mechanism models) is they're more likely to put up with the rigours of school or college use compared to other pro level basses with the double speaker mechanism where the crook key and speaker mechanism linkages often get mashed up through careless handling.

@MichaelTumiel

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisperyagh You’ve certainly proven that you’re quite knowledgeable! We seem to agree that this instrument is a considerable step down when compared to some of the other makes and models available. I guess I referred to it as a student model because this is not an instrument that I could use professionally. But if it would work for someone else’s needs, that’s great - and obviously the reason it was worth restoring!

@chrisperyagh

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelTumiel It's a shame Leblanc didn't make their basses distinctly pro level in terms of their mechanism as even the low C ones haven't got all the lower joint keywork linked up which makes some things awkward if you have to keep the low Eb key held down to get them. Older Selmer low C basses did that too (Series 9 and earlier), but they soon linked everything up so you can go from low G to any note below it by just using one single touchpiece rather than having to hold two down at the same time. Out of all the new low C basses from 1999 onwards, I chose the Buffet Prestige simply because of the then newly redesigned keywork which I assume was the work of Rene Hagmann as it's a nicely balanced and far simpler keywork compared to Selmer and Yamaha low C basses. I'm normally a Selmer fan (especially older Selmers from balanced Tone to Series 9/9*) and naturally I would've gone with a Selmer low C bass because of the sound, but I don't care for the keywork on their low C basses which is far too overengineered, exerts a lot of friction and is heavier going under the fingers. I was lent a brand new Buffet bass back in 1999 and couldn't believe how much easier it was under the fingers compared to the others. The redesigned (post 1999) Buffet keywork is as light as a feather - especially the front low D touch which has next to no weight to it unlike the newer Selmers which is still far too heavy even with all the spring tension backed off, plus the Buffet has a single piece front low D key and Selmer's one is in three separate parts. The Uebel Emperior and Royal Global low C basses both copied Buffet's keywork. Maybe Leblanc are developing a new bass with pro level keywork as we speak.

@MichaelTumiel

2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisperyagh Yes, again I totally agree with you! The missing connections between the low D, C# and C to the low Eb are a detriment to otherwise beautiful instruments from Selmer and Leblanc. Though the modern Yahama has these connections, the thumb cluster is not the best in my experience. And for a variety of reasons I, too, find the modern Selmers to be a bit over-engineered.