Julian Bliss plays... the Leblanc Bliss model clarinet which is now available at The Music Place stores. The Music Place staff have spent many, many hours playing, testing and assessing this new model. The following is our report.

The Music Place says...

For such a long time there have not been any huge advancements in clarinet design and aesthetics. The Bliss clarinet employs a completely different and revolutionary approach to traditional clarinet presentation. The wood is selected for it's beauty as well as it's tonal quality and each part of the instrument is made from a unique piece of wood. There is no attempt to cover up with dye any inconsistencies in grain - this allows each part to show it's natural beauty. The bell is of a newly designed shape - turned from one piece of wood and has no metal or plastic bell ring on the lower rim. It also has a unique internal profile which enhances clarity and projection.

The keywork is formed and finished to the level that you would expect from Leblanc - very beautiful. Interestingly, the innovative mechanism has adjustment screws which enable your technician to make precise micro adjustments quickly. The keywork is very modern in look - polished black metal which feels warm under your fingers and looks absolutely stunning. The right hand thumb rest is adjustable in height to suit a variety of hand sizes and it also has a built in hook for use with a neck strap if required. The barrel is of the latest design as featured on all Backun models. The pads are made from a special material which is very stable and should maintain a secure seal. We are also able to customise one of these clarinets to your own requirements - eg - leather and cork combination, roo pads, traditional pads etc etc. (an extra cost would apply)

The case is also a real winner - backpack with zip away straps - very solid but lightweight. The ligature and mouthpiece cap are very high quality and finished with black plating to match the keys - all in all a beautiful design theme.

Now that Leblanc has relocated all production to USA, they have really gone out of their way to raise the bar in clarinet design and making. This really is a fantastic and beautiful clarinet for any advancing intermediate level player. We thoroughly recommend this instrument. With a price of under $2000, the Leblanc Bliss or the Schreiber are the best choice in this category - no competition!

Purchase your Bliss clarinet now.

Backun Series® "Bliss" Grenadilla Wood

The Leblanc Bliss LB210 clarinet is challenging preconceived notions of what an affordable wood clarinet can and should be. After nearly 18 months of mechanical and acoustical refinement, the Backun designed Bliss LB210 clarinet combines new keywork, the most advanced manufacturing technology and Backun acoustical techniques. The result is a clarinet that is anything but ordinary.

Grenadilla Wood Body The Bliss LB210 is constructed with the highest quality, unstained Grenadilla and cut on the most advanced 9 axis Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine in the industry.

Genuine Backun Low Profile Barrel Backun Bliss barrels are free blowing with immediate response, aiding in tone production and articulation.

Over - and Undercut Toneholes The Bliss tone hole design provides superior intonation and response well as easier placement of the fingers.

Innovative Thumbrest Design This fully adjustable thumbrest features locking mechanism to prevent slipping. The set position of the neck strap ring ensures perfect playing position while offering excellent support.

Black Nickel Plated Keys While clarinetists will love the sleek look of the black nickel keys, their tarnish-resistant finish will help keep them looking great for years.

Inline Trill Keys All trill keys are in-line, above the water line to prevent water in the keys.

Acoustic Felts The pre-compressed felt bumpers replace ordinary cork for a better feel and longer wear.

Low E Reinforcement Bar The reinforcement bar helps the long, lower keys stay in adjustment when assembling and disassembling the clarinet.

Low E Reinforcement Bar The low E reinforcement bar, found only on the Bliss clarinet, helps to stabilize the long, lower keys when assembling and disassembling the clarinet.

Targeted Key Adjustment Screws Found on the left F/C, right F/C and the oversized crow's foot, these adjusters keep the clarinet in excellent playing condition with the turn of a screw.

Leblanc says...

Passion for Perfection
- The Story of the Leblanc Bliss Clarinet

At the age of 19, Julian Bliss, is already considered one of the top soloists in the world. Through his collaboration with designer Morrie Backun and Leblanc clarinets, Julian can now add clarinet designer to his long list of accomplishments. Says Julian of the project, “I’ve been thinking for many years of what I would like to see, feel and hear in an affordable clarinet. There are so many lower cost clarinets out there and many just aren’t very good. I thought it could be done better”.

Enter master clarinet designer Morrie Backun and the Leblanc Company. “Julian had been playing on my bells and barrels for a time and had just moved to playing the Leblanc Legacy when he approached me with the idea of developing a new concept in affordable clarinets with Leblanc”, mentions Backun. “Yes!” adds Bliss, “one that works properly!”

By ‘one that works properly’ Julian goes on to say that he envisioned a clarinet that would be able to “grow with a musician” and not hold him back. “It had to play with a clear, even sound, play in tune and have quick and comfortable keys”. Bliss adds that he also wanted the clarinet to have a look like no other. “In the UK, we would call this design ‘wicked’”.

Much of the “wicked” design of the Leblanc Bliss clarinet came as a result of Julian’s demands for a superior sounding and performing instrument. “We couldn’t get the sound we wanted out of the standard ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) from which most synthetic clarinets are made so we were forced to experiment,” says Backun. “After a lot of trial and error, we were able to develop our own composite material. Not only did this new composite provide us a clarinet that produces 20% more amplitude (translate more full sound) over ABS, we also found it stronger than we thought possible.” “In fact”, adds Julian, “we are so confident in the material and the American manufacturing that we have doubled the warranty from five to ten years.”

This new found durability allowed Julian, Backun and the design team at Leblanc to make some unique changes to the overall clarinet look. “We pulled off the rings and made the barrel and bell narrower just to see if it would hold up,” says Bliss. “When it did, we were thrilled because removing the extra weight from the clarinet made it easier to handle and produced an even more vibrant sound,” adds Backun.

From there, both men say the final cosmetic nuances were easy. Says Morrie Backun, “Once the rings were removed, the clarinet had a very clean and sleek profile. Changing the color of the keys to match seemed to be the next logical step.” Julian adds, “We tried a lot of different platings but kept coming back to the black nickel. In fact, I like the look so much that I’m having Morrie put it on my other clarinets.”

When asked if they are happy with the final product, both Bliss and Backun respond with a rousing ‘yes’. “Our original thought was to design an affordable clarinet the way it should be made. What we have created is a durable, value priced clarinet that players of any level can play and feel secure doing so. In fact, the majority of our orders are coming from military bands around the world as well as professionals that do a lot of outdoor gigging or pit work,” says Morrie. “Yes,” adds Julian, “I think the fact that we have designed these clarinets to be useful in a wide variety of performance situations make them as appealing to the professional as they are to the casual player or student. Whether playing the full synthetic (LB320), the synthetic model with the wood barrel (LB310) or the full grenadilla (LB210), our goal was to design a clarinet for each desired sound, performance venue and level of performance”.

From Julian’s perspective, he feels comfortable putting the new Leblanc Bliss clarinet up against anything. “I know I can pick-up any Bliss clarinet and be able to perform at the level to which I am accustomed. I can’t say that about even some of the highest level clarinets from other makers. I know the marketing tag line for these clarinets is The Revolution Is Now but all of us involved with this project truly believe breaking new ground in the clarinet world. I’ll be bringing my personal Bliss with me on the road for encores. I want to make everyone aware of exactly what this clarinet is capable of”.