 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kdikovics
Date: 2008-06-02 17:46
One of my newest garage sale acquisitions has been a particularly mystifying one. I've got on my hands a fairly old-looking Leblanc bass clarinet, whose body is in two pieces, rather than the standard one. Its serial number is 7XX, which is why I'm here on the forums, because Leblanc serial number records only go back to the sixties, where all serial numbers were at least 4 digits. Also interestingly, up by the holes for the side trill keys, "U.S. Pat. Pend." is written. The instrument's range is to low Eb. Anyone have any ideas on how old this clarinet is, or what model it might be? I can't find anything like it on the internet and the man at my local music store had no hints for me. It does not appear to be in its original case, since the one it's in appears to be a custom modified sax case (it fits well since the body is in two pieces). I would greatly appreciate any help with identifying it!!
Thanks!
-KD
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-02 17:58
All pro Leblanc basses have two piece bodies as standard, and fit in a case roughly the same size as an alto sax case which is much more compact than the long single piece case. You should be able to get a new case of this type to fit it - I think it'll fit in the plastic Yamaha bass case.
On the bottom joint on your bass, does it have two keys at the side of the joint under your right hand (both with metal key guards covering them)? This is a forked Ab/Eb mechanism so you can play Ab or Eb as xxx|xox.
The current equivalent is the L425S (which has the forked Ab/Eb mechanism). http://www.gleblanc.com/instruments/product.php?item=L425S
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2008-06-02 18:06)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-06-02 18:32
Hi KD - The Pat. Pend. tells us that at the time of mfgr./stencilling that an application for a US patent had been filled in the USPO. I'll look thru my Leblanc patent file, and likely search in USPTO and/or GooglePatents for the pat's issue date. Looking at the ref. above [TKS], its possible that this inventive feature may have been the "fork" fingering for Ab/Eb,which I recall from owning an older Leb bass, quite good but mine had only a single "register vent" and needed a double to improve the lower clarion. Would estimate date between late "40's and 1960. Will report, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-06-02 20:45
Looking at the patents, 2,627,776 and its Reissue, RE 23, 725, their filing dates in 1950 and their issue in 1953 should bracket your BC's birthdate, IMHO. A Reissue patent to most of us is the same as its "parent", however with differing features being claimed as ?additional? inventions. Google Patents is a good way to read about it. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: kdikovics
Date: 2008-06-02 23:45
Don, thanks for narrowing the date down for me!
Chris, it does have a forked Ab/Eb mechanism...I was wondering what those funny keyguards were for...
Thanks for all your help!
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