 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2011-05-22 17:25
I see, on the Kessler Music web site, that "...dealers are no longer allowed to advertise new Bliss LB320 & LB310 models for sale on their websites."
I'm curious as to what's going on with that.
Thanks.
B.
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Author: tedj101
Date: 2011-05-23 00:56
There may be more to it than that. I recently called Dave Kessler to set up an appointment for my wife to try the Leblanc Symphonie and Legacy models. He told me that both those models have been discontinued as a result of the split between Leblanc and Bakun. Perhaps this new edict is more of the same - though I find the lack of any discussion on the board about an event of this significance surprising.
Regards,
<TED>
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2011-05-23 01:02
bmcgar -
In case you're not familiar, "MAP" pricing means "minimum advertised price." And that's what's going on with Leblanc Bliss models. The Bliss models ARE still available.
Kessler & Sons website might have said: dealers are no longer allowed to advertise Bliss models at discounted sales prices. I too was confused so I checked with Dave Kessler (who's a great guy to deal with by the way).
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2011-05-23 05:47
Joe, if that's the case, then Kessler needs to be clearer.
There's a big difference between selling below MAP and not selling at all.
The Kessler site includes the text that I precisely quoted above, which I don't think many people would interpret as meaning anything other than "these horns aren't for sale, period."
Surely this misstatement wasn't intended, but without any additional information, that's the message that was delivered in the banner
Cheers.
B.
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2011-05-23 13:25
bmcgar -
Apparently "MAP" requirements can not only limit discount advertising on a product but also, on certain models, dealers may not be allowed to advertise them at all outside their stores.
In the case of Kessler's website re: the Bliss models, it looks like both restrictions are in play. Note that both composite models are shown as "used" (I'm guessing new composite models can't be advertised at all outside the store). The LB210 model (all wood) is shown at full "MAP" pricing but, Kessler throws in the Mo Ba barrel for free (Mo Ba barrel minus MAP price is what you're really paying for the clarinet). So Dave's language could be right as to the composite models (can't advertise new composite models at all on the website).
The WWBW website was, recently, getting around the "MAP" pricing on the LB210 by throwing in a $100 gift/cash card with the clarinet.
The above post re: what the Leblanc-Backun split might ultimately mean is interesting. The LB210 model I recently purchased still has Backun's name on it but, it might have been manufactured while Leblanc still had Backun under contract. If you look at Leblanc's website section on the Bliss models, you'll see the they no longer refer to Backun as the designer.
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2011-05-25 03:08
A while ago, I posted on the Bboard about the Backun-LeBlanc split. The Legacy, Symphony, and Cadenza are to my knowledge not completely discontinued but carry the name LeBlanc only instead of LeBlanc by Backun (as said above, Backun is no longer recognized as the designer). In terms of the Bliss clarinet, the rights of that clarinet have been moved solely to LeBlanc and I know for a fact they are still being manufactured and sold because Julian Bliss has been all over the place advertising them. He was in New York, in my area just a while ago but I didn't run into him at all. Hope I shed some good insight on this issue.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: DaveKessler
Date: 2011-08-29 22:21
Dont know how I missed this thread, but better late than never.
This is a result of MAP. As my site says:
"dealers are no longer allowed to advertise
new Bliss LB320 & LB310 models for sale on their websites."
This means that we are not allowed to advertise them for sale online. Thats all. The 310 and 320 models are still manufactured.
Also, the Leblanc by Backun professional line (Cadenza, Symphonie & Legacy) are officially discontinued. Leblanc is currently not making ANY "professional" model clarinets at all and will be coming out with new models in the future (Concerto III?).
I put the emphasis on "professional" as they consider the LB210 Bliss Wood model a step up clarinet. With the modified bore design launched last year, I think the LB210 (especially when combined with the MoBa barrel) is an unbelieveably impressive instrument that rivals $3,000 clarinets.
Dave Kessler
Kessler & Sons Music
http://www.kesslermusic.com
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-08-30 12:17
Have the Opus II and Sonata been discontinued? I noticed that they're still shown on the Leblanc web site.
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Author: DaveKessler
Date: 2011-08-30 19:19
All Leblanc France made clarinets were discontinued several years ago as Leblanc no longer even has a facility in France at this point (they sold it to Buffet which is where they are now making the Buffet E11 France models).
Leblanc is still figuring out what they are going to do about their model lineup moving forward. There was some talk of releasing the Concerto II and Opus II as their "Heritage" brands simply made in the USA, but nothing firm at this time.
The only Leblanc branded Bb clarinets that are current produced models are the Bliss models (320, 310 & 210). All other Bb Leblanc models were discontinued. These models are all made in the Conn-Selmer woodwind facility in Elkhart, IN.
Dave Kessler
Kessler & Sons Music
http://www.kesslermusic.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-08-30 19:38
If Leblanc no longer has a factory in France, are the Noblet instruments also out of production?
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Author: DaveKessler
Date: 2011-08-30 19:44
Ursa wrote:
> If Leblanc no longer has a factory in France, are the Noblet
> instruments also out of production?
Correct.
Dave Kessler
Kessler & Sons Music
http://www.kesslermusic.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-08-30 22:03
I see that Buffet bought the plant in 2008. I feel like I've learned belatedly of the passing of an old friend--Noblet (1750-2008).
My first decent clarinet, which I still own and perform with, was a Noblet Normandy.
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