Klarinet Archive - Posting 000132.txt from 1994/12

From: MR DAVID W KAMINSKY <TPNW33A@-----.COM>
Subj: Stephen Cranefield "Concerto" comments
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 1994 10:53:16 -0500

-- [ From: David Kaminsky * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --

Stephen & All,
Stephen had some concerns about changes in Leblanc clarinets and I
thought the forum could benefit from the discussion.
I appreciate your concern about the changes at Leblanc and I think
I can help. You are right, the Concerto is a brand new clarinet
designed to respond to the market needs. However, we have not
abandoned our loyal Leblanc customers of the past. We believe that
everyone cannot fit in a size 7 shoe nor are they satisfied with one
clarinet design, or even one clarinet company.
First of all, the Leblanc Concerto design can be purchased with the
Leblanc key structure. This model is an Eternite', model 1142. Also,
the LX models are alive and well in the LX2000 model. (Model # 2000).
We are also continuing to produce the 1176 "LL" model for those who
like a larger bore.
Leblanc France is currently owned by Vito Pascucci of Kenosha,
Wisconsin, USA who established Leblanc USA in 1946. Tom Ridenour, an
American clarinetist and designer, is the designer of all the new
clarinets. However, all Leblanc clarinets are made in France, not the
USA, and not all are "American" designs. The new models were produced
to target a very large segment of the market that we were not
penetrating and, to this date, has been quite successful.
The Selmer Company, USA is a separate company from the French
company. The US company makes a "pro" sax, priced much less than the
French model. The Selmer US sax price is close to the Yamaha and
Yanagisawa "pro" models. The French model is much higher.
I hope this will answer your concerns. Please feel free to
contact me if you have any other questions.

Dave Kaminsky, Leblanc
Orlando