 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gwmusic
Date: 2007-03-21 23:05
Is there more than one bore size on the Vito V40 clarinet? I thought they were all large bore (.585-.590) but heard that the poly-cylindrical bore was smaller(.575). The Leblanc web site doesn't list the clarinet anymore.
I was interested in trying one for outdoors but prefer the large bore.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-03-22 00:05
If I remember correctly the V40 has a 15mm (.590") bore.
The V40, which ceased production in around 2003(?) is an excellent choice as an outdoor clarinet. Tuning is surprisingly accurate throughout the entire instrument.
A few years ago, I picked up a near mint one on Ebay for $20.
The projection is strong and the sound is quite impressive - It is the perfect outdoor big band clarinet ...GBK
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Author: gwmusic
Date: 2007-03-22 00:14
Thank you GBK.
I too thought they were all large bore and plan to obtain one for outdoors.
Mouthpiece suggestion: Looking for free blowing volume in reason. Too much brass!
GW
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Author: gwmusic
Date: 2007-03-22 00:14
Too much brass as in TRUMPETS.
Post Edited (2007-03-22 00:15)
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Author: T.Wees
Date: 2007-03-22 06:31
There are a couple of different bores for the V40.
For most of its "life" the V40 was a large bore horn (I think .584", rather than .590").
However, in about 2003 (the catalogue/pamphlet I have appears to be dated 11/03), Leblanc revamped its plastic clarinet lineup, which up until then had all been large bore models (.584"). They added the "Classic 7242" model, which had a small (.575", perhaps polycylindrical) bore. I think this was actually a renaming (renumbering) of the clarinet they introduced a couple of years earlier as a "centennial" model.
At the same time, they changed the V40 to a small (.575"), polycylindrical bore. From the catalogue: "The combination of a plastic body and the advanced polycylindrical bore take the V40 to the top of the Vito line. . . . has a fully professional acoustic design." And: "This clarinet is the acoustic match to the wood-bodied Rapsodie model."
They also redesigned the logos slightly. The bells and barrels have a gold "V", with "VITO" running across the V, kind of like a belt. At the bottom of the V are the words: "by Leblanc." The body logos of the Classic and V40 leave off "by Leblanc" and add either "CLASSIC" or "V40."
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Author: T.Wees
Date: 2007-03-22 21:22
Aha! The "Centennial" model referred to above did not seem quite right, but I was blanking on anything else. I finally remembered it was the "Millennium" model.
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Author: gwmusic
Date: 2007-03-22 22:25
I remember the small bore Millenium model.
The logo V with vito inside and by Leblanc looks like the current USA Vito clarinets.
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2018-09-02 02:34
Reawakening this thread...as I have a few of these. It seems that as late as 1999, the V40s were still very similar to the 7214s. I have attached a chart of bore measurements (I just measured the ends...but did so repeatedly and with calibration so I am convinced the small differences are real, but probably just manufacturing variation.
The main difference between the 7214 and the V40 seems to be the gold (plated?) springs on the V40. Both of these come in two variations:
The lyre logo 7214 and the "C" serial V40 have metal 'button' inserts for flat springs (trill key, etc), and do NOT have the PRAG
The V logo 7214 and the "D" serial V40 have flat recesses machined into the plastic for the flat spring seats (no metal) and DO have the PRAG.
There are a few other minor cosmetic differences. The V Logo 7214 is well-used but well-maintained and, while I was skeptical about the springs bearing on plastic, I could not see any wear other than light polishing under the springs.
The only thing that I learned from the bore measurements is that there is substantial variability in the barrel dimensions
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2018-09-02 03:05
Attachment: Vito Bore Measurements.JPG (34k)
Attachment: Vito barrel tapers.JPG (41k)
Reawakening this thread...as I have a few of these. It seems that as late as 1999, the V40s were still very similar to the 7214s. I have attached a chart of bore measurements; I just measured the ends...but did so repeatedly and with calibration so I am convinced the small differences are real, but probably just manufacturing variation.
The main difference between the 7214 and the V40 seems to be the gold (plated?) springs on the V40. Both of these come in two variations:
The lyre logo 7214 and the "C" serial V40 have metal 'button' inserts for flat springs (trill key, etc), and do NOT have the PRAG
The V logo 7214 and the "D" serial V40 have flat recesses machined into the plastic for the flat spring seats (no metal) and DO have the PRAG.
There are a few other minor cosmetic differences. The V Logo 7214 is well-used but well-maintained and, while I was skeptical about the springs bearing on plastic, I could not see any wear other than light polishing under the springs.
The only thing that I learned from the bore measurements is that there is substantial variability in the barrel dimensions. It appears that these barrels are shaped by hand from the curve measurements. I have attached also the barrel taper curves...I can assure you that my measurements are much more accurate than the production of the curves. I don't see that there is barrel design variation according to either vintage or 7214 vs V40. These all play a little different, so I may do some A/B rotation. I ordered a few extra vito barrels from Ferrees surplus and may play around with bore matching them to the uppers.
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