LEBLANC ALTO CLARINET REVIEW PROFESSIONAL
LEBLANC ALTO CLARINET REVIEW SERIES

Leblanc added the KHS company of Taiwan as a source for Vito saxophones in 1981. Leblanc imported Yamaha flutes for its Vito-Japan line starting in 1970. During the mid-to-late 1960s Leblanc started sourcing saxophone parts from Yamaha for the Vito-Kenosha line, producing saxophones with both American and Japanese parts.īetween 19 Leblanc introduced saxophones under the Vito-Japan line, consisting of alto and tenor saxophones from Yamaha (7131 models), and soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones from Yanagisawa (VSP models).

The most distinctive model from this period was the Vito Model 35, with a key system based on the Leblanc 'system' design.

LEBLANC ALTO CLARINET REVIEW SERIES

The two series of Vito saxophones are referred to as Vito-France and Vito-Kenosha. By the late 1950s Vito saxophones were also assembled from parts supplied by the Art Best Manufacturing Company of Nogales, Arizona, with some differences from the Beaugnier designs. Vito brass instruments were sourced from Holton, which later was acquired by Leblanc in 1964.Īfter briefly sourcing its Vito saxophones from Holton, Leblanc imported Beaugnier saxophone parts to be assembled in Kenosha and sold under the Vito brand. The bores were produced at Leblanc's Kenosha facility and the hardware was supplied by G. Models include 301-c, 701-f, and possibly others.īeginning in 1951, the American Leblanc firm started manufacturing student model clarinets under the Vito brand. A line of classical guitars was manufactured in Japan for the G. In 1989 the American Leblanc firm acquired majority interest in G. In 1981 Leblanc became the exclusive marketer and distributor of the Yanagisawa products in the United States and Canada. Yanagisawa saxophones were first marketed by Leblanc in the late 1960s under the Leblanc and Vito brands, and the Martin brand after 1971, prior to their distribution under Yanagisawa's own name. Leblanc broadened its product line and distribution with the acquisition of several other companies: the Frank Holton Company (manufacturer of brass instruments) in 1964 the Bublitz Case Company, manufacturer of musical instrument cases in 1966 the Woodwind Company (manufacturer of woodwind mouthpieces) in 1968 and the Martin Band Instrument Company (brand rights and distribution network for brass instruments and saxophones) acquired from the Wurlitzer Co. Leblanc since the early 1930s to alleviate acoustic problems inherent in the standard key system and offer more fingering choices. Leblanc Corporation started importing brasswinds and saxophones made by the French firms Courtois and Beaugnier, respectively, branded 'Leblanc.' Leblanc's most distinctive saxophones at the time were its Model 100 and 120 'System' saxophones, the latest iteration of instruments designed by G. Leblanc Corporation based in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He and Leblanc reached an agreement and in 1946 founded the G. The idea lived on with Pascucci after Miller died, and he was scouting potential suppliers. Pascucci and Miller had discussed opening a musical instrument distributing company and importing instruments after the war. In 1945, Léon Leblanc (1900–2000) met Vito Pascucci (1922–2003), then on duty as the instruments manager and repair technician for the Glenn Miller US Army Air Force Orchestra. Noblet, the oldest instrument manufacturer in France (established 1750). was established in France by Georges Leblanc late in the 19th century, in La Couture-Boussey.

LEBLANC ALTO CLARINET REVIEW PROFESSIONAL

Our professional woodwind technician replaced several pads and made any necessary adjustments to get the instrument into good, playing condition.'G. There is some wear on the keys where the previous owner would have held the horn, but that's a part of the instruments character! It was owned by a player and it is best suited for another player who will put many more miles on it. Some of its keys have clouded a bit, due to age, but everything on this instrument moves freely and easily, and all pads are sealing nicely. It's made of aged grenadilla wood, which is a standard wood that nearly every professional wood clarinet is made of. The Leblanc 400 Series Bass Clarinet was one of Leblanc's flagship instruments for years, being a viable option for students learning the instrument and also a great intermediate instrument that advancing players can hone their skills on. Used Leblanc 400 Series Bass Clarinet - 87XX

Leblanc alto clarinet review