 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: old999
Date: 2011-08-22 03:30
There seems to be a long list of Vito models through the years. Has anyone compiled of list of what's what? I've searched the web but haven't found any hint at all of what the differences are from one model to the next. Are there one or two that stand out as better than the others?
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-08-22 09:11
I have not seen a comprehensive list of Vito clarinet models, either.
From what I have been able to gather, nearly all of the Vito plastic clarinets have the same .584-inch cylindrical bore. The notable exceptions to this are the V-40 model, some or all of which have a polycylindrical bore, and the current 7242, which has a smaller .575-inch bore.
Early Vitos were made out of a hard, brittle plastic--possibly PVC--while later ones were made out of ABS. It's been suggested by some that the earlier composition makes for a better sounding and more responsive instrument compared to the later ABS. I haven't played a Vito that wasn't ABS, so I can't comment intelligently on the material affecting the tone and response.
It's generally agreed upon that the V-40 model represents the best of the Vito plastic clarinets.
I have a Vito 7214 and a Vito V-40 on hand. The 7214 is the darker sounding of the two, but the V-40 has better intonation and a more even response between the registers. Between the two, I prefer the 7214.
One Vito I'd like to get my hands on is the Pete Fountain model. This has a 17-key/7-ring keywork arrangement. I've often wondered if the bore reaming and tone hole undercutting was done with more care and precision than on the other Vitos of the day. If so, this may be the "ultimate" Vito.
Some Vitos were made in wood. I haven't researched them, but would speculate that they are rebadged Noblet/Normandy instruments.
Cheers,
Ursa
Post Edited (2011-08-22 17:21)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-08-22 11:27
Interesting response, Greg. Please email me for personal correspondence on Vitos.
I have a love affair with the Vito Bb Soprano clarinets and still own several. I don't try to recall model numbers. Some comments: I prefer the ones with "Kenosha" stenciled on them. I have a plastic Pete Fountain one but unlike the wood PFs it doesn't have the forked arrangement. Rather it seems to be just a V-40. Personally I think the V-40 is over rated from a sound standpoint but is a well made horn.
I remain amazed at the price commanded by the Dazzler series.....I have a red one that I play during Christmas season. I have a "doctor's bag" "case" for the Pete Fountain horn. (Pete lost most or all of his personal horns during Katrina.)
All the Bb Sop. Vitos made during Vito Pascucci's life were good horns but the middle tenon breakage problem on the 2 piece Altos and Bass was poor design.
I have no idea where current Vitos are made.
Bob Draznik
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2011-08-22 17:34
I have the white dazzler Ive had for years and no repairs done except a pad or two that I replaced myself. I also just aquired a black one with a stencil that says claritone and kenosha,WI on the upper joint and has a 3 series number
that begins with A. since I dont know all the history behind the early models
any Pros here know of this one. I believe its a 70's model and as far as I know
vitos are mostly made in Kenosha WI. Ive got it to playing condition but not sure if I want to keep it or sell it. The clarion C/F tone hole needs a redo, it somehow got badly nicked and all the joints need recorking since whoever had it also kept it put together and stored in a metal clarinet's case.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-08-22 18:02
The 7214 model is the one with "Kenosha" boldly stamped on it. I've had intonation and spring tension adjustments done on my 7214 and it is a very satisfying clarinet to play. I often play mine with a Ridenour Ivorolon R-bore barrel which adds a very nice warmth, depth, and smoothness to the tone.
The one quibble I have with the 7214 is that many mouthpieces don't play in tune with it. Mine did come with a stock "Vito France 3V" mouthpiece in hard rubber that played in tune but had a crummy facing which I've since had refaced. The Ridenour Encore piece works very well with the 7214.
Not long ago I purchased, and promptly returned, a LeBlanc USA 7250 which exhibited shockingly poor build quality. The Kenosha-built Vitos I have are both very nicely made.
As my main performance instrument is a David Spiegelthal-enhanced Boosey & Hawkes 8-10, I plan to someday get a plastic 1-10 from Dave as a companion to it. It will be interesting to compare an enhanced plastic B&H to my tweaked Vitos in an effort to discover which is the "ultimate" plastic clarinet for me.
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Author: Lee
Date: 2011-08-25 18:36
Has LeBlanc started making Dazzlers again? I just saw a a listing on an auction site for "Leblanc Vito Dazzler Series 7312 Bb Clarinet in Red" listed as new.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-08-25 21:34
That's a pretty high price and, also, it could be old inventory....not that that's bad.
It looks like the "old" packaging. I don't know what the status of the Kenosha plant is or where current Vitos might be made.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-08-25 22:34
Some red and yellow Dazzlers were for sale at WWBW not long ago--undoubted a lot of leftover new-old-stock instruments as the Dazzler has been deleted from the LeBlanc catalog years ago. WWBW sold them for $299, and the red ones sold out first.
I had my heart set on getting a green one, but no such luck.
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Author: old999
Date: 2011-09-20 12:57
Thanks for the all the info. I wanted to respond sooner, but my Vito was out on loan (I play sax nearly all of the time) so I wasn't sure which model I have. It's back now and I have a 40. For what small amount of playing I do, I'm very pleased with it.
Sorting out all the Vitos - not just clarinets - requires some real detective work.
-- Al
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-08-12 05:34
What a neat topic! My very first clarinet was a Vito made sometime before 1982 (or so the person my parents bought it from said). I used it all the way through college marching band, and used it in community band (very cool evening concerts.)
It is in storage right now, but this topic has made me want to go check and see what model it is. Is it easy to determine Vito models? What should I look for?
Thanks!
Fuzzy
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2017-08-12 10:41
Dan,
Thanx for posting the chart! Suggests that all the 721x clarinets are the same with the exception of the springs on the 7216 and V40 and the variation of cases and mouthpieces.
What is the 7214P? A plateau version??
Also, do ALL plastic clarinets NOT have threaded posts? Are they molded in? Glued in??
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