Klarinet Archive - Posting 000435.txt from 2003/02

From: "R. Williams" <rwilliams@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] fire at LeBlanc factory
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 18:48:46 -0500

I read on the gleblanc.com website that the contra is made in Kenosha. I
think all the metal instruments have been moved to US production. There
was also a blurb somewhere on there about the new black contra, it must
really be striking. The comment from them was that it would blend better
in an orchestra setting.

>From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
>Subject: Re: [kl] fire at LeBlanc factory
>
>At 08:46 AM 2/15/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >I am working on a BEAUTIFUL brand new Leblanc "paper clip" contra bass.
> >Very lovely instrument, with the body in a black lacquer and nicely plated
> >keys. Nice sound, easy response, all the way down to low C (an octave
> >lower than my low C bass - WOW).
> >
> >It is marked Leblanc, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Does anyone know if these are
> >made in Kenosha, or do they come from France and have final assembly only
> >in Kenosha?
>
>The G. Leblanc Company is headquartered in Kenosha now, but they have
>factories in both France and the U.S. I don't know for certain, but I
>BELIEVE the contras are made in France. Only the student line instruments
>(Vito) are made in Kenosha.
>
>I've never seen or heard of one in black lacquer. It must be stunningly
>beautiful!
>
>The Opus and Concerto models are going to be a bit scarce for a while, I
>would imagine. What a horrible disaster!
>
>Bill Hausmann
>el

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