Klarinet Archive - Posting 000151.txt from 1995/11

From: Luuk van Buul <vanbuul@-----.COM>
Subj: Vito/LeBlanc (Was Student Models)
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 1995 05:25:11 -0500

On Tue, 7 Nov 1995 13:44:43 -0700
Don Kinghorn <kinghorn@-----.EDU> wrote:

>Here, just to add to the confusion;
>Vito also makes a high quality, low priced, wooden clarinet and it's made in
>France, the Vito VSP. I own one and I love it.

And on Tue, 7 Nov 1995 17:55:07 -0800
John Baetens <jsbtens@-----.COM> wrote:

>At 05:44 PM 11/6/95 CST, SEAN wrote:
>>Vito's are not made by Yamaha in any way. The Vito's are all made here in
>>Wisconsin by Lablanc. I asked a question a few days ago...wanting to know
>>why they perscribed Vitos and there hasn't been any responce. Maybe that
>>is just the popular thing or what??? I hope I don't sound insulting or
>>something...but I just wanted to hear their side of the story.
>> Sean
>>
>Yes, indeed, Vitos are made by Leblanc of America in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
>The Vito was named after the American founder of Leblanc, Vito Pascucci,
>who was a friend of Leon Leblanc. Leon and his father Georges were the
>founders of Leblanc of Paris.
>I think the Vitos are used in schools more for their durability and
>manufacturing consistancy than for their sound quality. They seem to
>play in tune with each other fairly well (for a cheap instrument).
>While I can see how an inexpensive wooden instrument may have a better
>tone, it may not hold up as well in the hands of the average 11 year old.
>Vitos also make a sturdy marching instrument when the student advances to
>a better quality instrument in high school, though you still have to
>watch out for runaway running backs on the football field!
>
>John Baetens

As you know, I have visited the LeBlanc factory near Paris last October. I have
seen/heard some things there that can clear up this discussion:

The Vito VSP clarinet is made in the one and only LeBlanc factory making wooden
instruments in France; the same place where the Opus, Concerto etc. etc. are
being made. This Vito clarinet is only sold in America. The same goes for a so
called 'Normandy' clarinet.
The 'plastic' Vito's are being made in the USA.
The metal contrabasses are being made in the other Leblanc factory in France.
Yes, Leblanc has two factories: one producing all metal works (keys and bodies
for contrabasses) and the other one; this is THE Leblanc factory) for
woodworking and assembly. These factories are located some 200 kilometers from
each other.

Vito Pascucci has actually bought the LeBlanc company some (five?) years ago.
Since then the new models were developed and sold. The old Mr. Leon Leblanc was
so much convinced of the quality of the Leblanc instruments, that he virtually
stopped research/development and marketing activities.

Leon or Georges Leblanc cannot be the founders of the LeBlanc company. The
company was founded somewhere in the 18th century; Mr. Leon Leblanc is still
walking around in France (at the age of 92). I've seen him in the factory.
The founder(s) must be somebody of the LeBlanc family living some 200 years ago.

Luuk van Buul