I have play tested both these clarinets at a local music store, and both seem to very good players. The Centered Tone seems to have a beefier sound period, while the leblanc has a more focused tone. Being an amateur player and just starting to play which one is a better value? They both are going for 900.00 and both are crack free and in emacualate condition. They have both been oiled, re-padded, and adjusted. The Selmer has what looks like some shrinkage of the middle tenon ring where the body meets the ring but that is it. It has never been repaired since this has only been owned by the store owner who I trust as a personal friend. I see no cracks or repaired cracks and assume it might just need some more oil. The owner states that it probably would fix that part but he 0has seen this happen ocassionaly in older clarinets. It does not need to have the rings refitted everything is tight. I am partial to the way the Selmer plays since it has that resonant throaty tone. The clarinet just feels alive in my hands when I play it. I feel this clarinet would aid me in producing a Jazzy sound. The Leblanc is simply beautiful and has a sweet upper register but seems harder to get the best out of it everywhere else. It does not come alive in my hands and this could be just my lack of playing experience. I want to like the Leblanc because of its truely A+ condition, but the Selmer just plays so much easier for me. Would the Selmer be a good buy? Or should I get the Leblanc in hopes that I get better at making it sing. One note... the Selmer does not have the drilled out middle joint on the socket it is made with the original design unlike the others I have seen on E-bay. Any replies would be grateful.

i actually own a selmer student clarinet but i have tested both myself. selmer is better at the jazz/swing music and Leblanc has a richer tone for a symphony band or something like that

Thank you for actually replying to my question! Yeah that seems to be the info I could find regarding the two brands. The Leblanc is much more focused and precise sounding. The Selmer has a larger bore and plays with more throat and is much louder.