 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 17:32
HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!! I have been trying for weeks to find some information on this beautiful LeBlanc France A Clarinet I have. It is serial number 16187 & has just a gorgeous grain in the wood. Any help in dating & valuing it would be greatly appreciated! Thank You.
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-11-23 17:35
Leblanc does not typically post serial numbers, but they are usually helpfull if you give them a call or email. Although they are in the middle of a merger I think they should still be able to tell you when its from and what model it is.
Ben
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 17:42
Thanks Ben but Leblanc is totally clueless & of no help, I tried them first.
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 17:45
Chris, Their is what appears to be a 2 sided weighing scale if you know what I mean, on top of the Leblanc logo. The only markings on the top joint is the Leblanc Logo & "France" is stamped underneath the logo.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 17:49
Does the '2 sided weighing scale' look like two intertwined decorative Ls (but one reversed)?
If so, it's an LL model (named after Leon Leblanc) - I've got a full Boehm one of these, and it's a lovely clarinet.
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 17:52
Yes, it appears that they are 2 intertwined L's (one reversed) that kind of look like the form of the letter "A".
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 17:58
That's the feller!
Mine is about 10 years old and is in excellent condition, though I have completely overhauled it. The wood is in excellent condition and didn't take much to get a nice deep shine as it was either very well looked after, or never used.
I think these clarinets have the best designed keywork, it's sturdily built and very reliable. But look at a current Leblanc of the same level and you will see they've rationalised things too much - all the features that I like have all gone.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-11-23 18:02)
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 18:02
Cool, at least we've got that established. Mine is at least 30 years old, probably older. So are there any sources to get a date & a value of this puppy?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 18:07
I wish I could help - I've been looking up serial number lists for ages hoping a list will be compiled, but still the same old "For Leblanc Instrument Serial Numbers Please Call (262)658-1644 Ask for Michael Kamphuis" crops up.
I don't think I'll be calling an international number just for that, I could always get the info from their factory across the channel if I happen to be near there.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-11-23 18:12)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-11-23 18:11
Chris P wrote:
> I wish I could help - I've been looking up serial number lists
> for ages hoping a list will be compiled.
The only thing would be for people with accurate dates for their instruments to get together and start blocking out dates. A list doesn't get compiled by itself ...
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-23 18:13
I don't know when mine was made, so a random serial number won't help matters,
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Author: Joe
Date: 2005-11-23 18:13
Michael doesn't work there any more. Anyway, thanks very much for your help Chris. At least now I have something more to go on. I e-mailed Walter Grabner at clarinet xpress. I'll see if he can shed some more light on this horn. Have a great day & thank you so much for your time.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-23 20:34
If you've got a good LL A clarinet, you're in business, my friend. That's an excellent choice and if you have it in good working condition, it'll be a great asset to your playing. They have wonderful wood, excellent intonation and are usually quite beautiful in tone.
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Author: Grant
Date: 2005-11-25 21:14
My Leblanc LL I bought in 1961 is serial #15418.For what it's worth the matching b-flat is 15371.
Peace on Earth and May You always have a reed that PLAYS.
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