 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Haldrik
Date: 2012-11-01 19:07
Hi everyone,
I have a mind condition Normandy 4 clarinet with a serial number higher than all but one of the ones I've researched rather exhaustively online. Serial number information posted online stops at 1983, but I think this instrument may be newer than this, for the following reasons: it appears to be new with no dulling whatsoever on the keys, has the latest LeBlanc logo (the one that looks like a wizard's hat with a halo on it, completely unfaded) and, most interestingly, the Leblanc information card that came in the original case makes reference to Vito Pascucci's induction into the Hall of Fame of the NAMM in 1988!
So, would anyone on here happen to know with any degree of certainty when LeBlanc France produced the last Normandy 4 clarinet?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-11-02 04:11
Seems like you scored a one of a kind, in fantastic condition.
After the buyout I believe the only Normandy made was the 4s, not the 4. Which model do you have? Maybe the keys were silver as an upgrade and LeBlanc used the silver plating on the 4s as a step above the bottom line Vito.
If you don't want to read everything more, the dates were from 1950 to about 1983. I think the keys were plated. The same plating LeBlanc used for the upgrade.
After the buyout I believe the only Normandy left was the 4s. Bores are identical to the Noblet 40/45 line; very good rich tone though thicker wood bell and tenons not as tight fitting the tone is slightly not as complex nor as spread.
Earlier Normandy's had the Normandy shield emblem and the world FRANCE just below the shield. These seem to be from the 1950s and before; very late '40's. They may have had plastic bells, etc with no designation differences until they were later stamped Special, 4, etc. Before the buyout by LeBlanc Normandy had an entire line of clarinets. Normandy (ebonite), Normandy 4, 8, 10, and 12. They also had a "Special" model in which some may have had "Silver plated keys," (a step up), others ebonite bells (a step down) and Buffet/Selmer type keywork.
I could be wrong about everything! Seriously I think I'm pretty close to what happened.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2012-11-02 07:42)
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Author: dperreno
Date: 2012-11-10 17:04
I'm pretty sure Normady clarinets were being produced into the 2000's. I believe they were being sold right up to when Leblanc was purchased by Conn-Selmer. Check out this link: http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnLeblancNoblet.htm
Doug
Doug
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2012-11-11 18:47
I have a 2007 Woodwind & Brasswind catalogue with an ad for the Leblanc Normandy 4 on p. 25. The specs include "a grenadilla wood body, durable nickel plated keys and cylindrical bore design." The list price is $1,280.00. WW&BW's 2007 price is $669.00, including case, mouthpiece, ligature and cap. Specifications for the Leblanc brand on p. 24 identify it as a Conn-Selmer brand, a division of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc..
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-11-12 09:19
The Normandy 4 was rebadged as the Noblet 4K in its last years of existence. It's likely that the last of these were produced around 2008--the year during which Buffet-Crampon acquired the Noblet works.
Brand-new Noblet 4K clarinets can still be found for sale online.
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