 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Karen
Date: 2000-01-29 23:33
I have the opportunity to purchase a Leblanc Eternite clarinet. The dealer called and let me know that Leblanc has discontinued this model, but that it is the same as a Concerto, except that it has the old style trill keys.
It is selling for $975.00, so I wonder if it is really of that quality. The Leblanc site has no information on this model, so I would appreciate any information that I can get.
Hey, if it's that good I'll buy the Bb, too.
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Author: Doug P.
Date: 2000-01-30 20:15
I bought a Leblanc Eternite Bb (model 1142) in Nov. 1997 about the time Leblanc discontinued this model. I went through about a dozen at the factory and paid just a bit more than you have been offered for the A clarinet ($1100).
I considered it a very, very good price at the time. The last Leblanc price list I have that lists the 1142 indicates $3245 list for the Bb and $3500 for the A, the same as the Concerto model prices. Discount prices at the time were about $2000 in the Muncy and International Musical Suppliers catalog. Here is what the Leblanc brochure says about the 1142: "The Eternite model offers the Concerto acoustic design but with the famous Leblanc Mechanism, featuring in-line "jump" trill keys. The patented trill key design provides a direct up-and-down movement between the tone hole and pad cup, which ensures positive seating of the pad and a clear tone. Trill key springs are individually and correctly engineered for balanced key suspension and crisp, fast key action." My clarinet has the rounded key cups, "Ronds Bombes" as Leblanc calls them, but the socket rings are the usual style, with rings and not plain like the Concerto. While Leblanc states the model is the same as the Concerto except for the mechanism, my example has the register tube placed at the same point as my Buffet R13 and not higher on the instrument the way every Concerto I have seen has it placed. In all, it is a very good instrument and I alternate between it and my R13. The price you have been offered is very good, but of course, you should try the instrument to see if you like how it plays first, no matter what the price. You might also contact Tom Ridenour to question him further about this model, remembering that he is no longer with Leblanc. Doug P.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-01 05:18
The latest Leblanc catalog that I have still lists the Eternite. I don't think this has been discontinued despite what some dealers may say. It may be that those dealers have simply decided not to carrry it. Check the catalog at www.gleblanc.com
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Author: Doug P.
Date: 2000-02-01 18:58
Leblanc has definitely discontinued the Eternite; don't confuse that model with the Infinite which is still being made.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-02 00:35
Doug P. wrote:
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Leblanc has definitely discontinued the Eternite; don't confuse that model with the Infinite which is still being made.
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I'm not. Both are listed in the current catalog.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-02 01:02
Dee, the Eternite' isn't listed in their online Soprano catalog, only Symphonie VII, Opus, Ambiance, Concerto, Infinite, LX 2000, Esprit, Sonata, LL, Pete Fountain, Spirit, Noblet 50, Noblet 45, Noblet 40, Normandy 4, VSP France, and Vito France.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-02 01:38
Yeah I just looked today and find it missing but it was there relatively recently. A shame that they have discontinued it though as I was hoping to try one since it is supposed to be like the Concerto but with the inline jump trill keys of their traditional designs.
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Author: Doug P.
Date: 2000-02-02 14:03
Dee, so now is the time to find an Eternite because it is being so heavily discounted. There are many still out there for sale.
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