 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: whatisamegan
Date: 2016-05-23 02:40
Hi! I am a violin player and an elementary band/strings teacher. I spotted a clarinet in good condition at GoodWill today and could not pass it up! I am having trouble identifying how old it is, however. The case says "G.Leblanc Corp Vito Kenosha, Wis." on the bottom corner. The clarinet itself says Vito Reso-Tone U.S.A on the top and then the number on the back of the upper joint says 6240J. I'm not having much luck when I google that serial, however. Then lastly, the bell joint says Normandy Custom Made for G.Schirmer INC. New York, NY. Anybody here that can help?
Update: The mouthpiece says "Noblet Paris" on the front and "France 2V" on the back. The mouthpiece cap is metal not plastic if that helps?
Post Edited (2016-05-23 03:00)
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Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2016-05-24 13:17
You have a Vito Reso-tone with a Normandy bell and a Noblet mouthpiece.
So a bit of Frankenstein. Because ideally the bell and body should be the same make/model unless you are upgrading to an aftermarket bell (or barrel). Nobody would bother upgrading the bell from a Vito to a Normandy.
Leblanc made Vitos (and also Noblet and Normandy clarinets too) so the case is probably original to the Vito.
Both Vito and Normandy were/are student clarinets. The Vito is plastic and the Normandy was usually wooden, but I suspect your Normandy bell is plastic and similar to the one found here:
http://www.clarinetpages.net/vintage-plastic-composite-clarinets/normandy-resotone
There is a chance the bell is original to the rest of the Vito Reso-tone body, but it is rather strange to have both Vito and Normandy stamped on the one clarinet.
V
Post Edited (2016-05-24 13:18)
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