 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Zacharywest158
Date: 2017-12-21 23:34
Do you think Leblanc would ever resume making professional level instruments? Their new Serenade model appears to be quite a fine instrument, and I'm wondering if they would consider re-entering the game alongside Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha, etc. again. Just curious if anyone has thoughts on this.
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Author: Geronimo
Date: 2017-12-22 02:35
Keep in mind the classic leblanc company was bought out and disbanded. The team that created the opus and concerto and all the history are not the same people creating the bliss and serenade instruments. Although that isn't to say leblanc USA can't also do great work. Time will tell.
-GM
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2017-12-22 22:06
Does this company exist..I see nothing on the internet to validate my question?
David Dow
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-12-22 22:52
I talked with Julian Bliss at the Fest and they are working on a new Bliss horn. Will it be a pro level horn? I don't know. I just don't remember from our conversation at the Festival.
Buffet owns them? This is news to me. I don't think so. Unless it just happened in the last few months. I think Selmer owns them. At the ClarinetFest Selmer and LeBlanc were right next to each other in an L shape table formation.
I think Selmer has the funds to support a Bliss pro model. And Selmer is coming out with new quality horns all of the time. It's exciting. I hope they back up Julian.
Lets see what happens at the NAMM Convention at the January Convention when new instruments appear. This is when 3/4 of a million people walk through this convention from all over the world in 4 days. It's nuts. It is open only to dealers and manufactures. Not to the general public. Julian will most likely be there with/near Selmer, so I'll look for him and try to provide some updated information.
We should see Yamaha come out with a new top pro horn. Buffet may too. Hope it is something good. Hope Buffet has been reading this Board the past 2 years and learned from it. I know Selmer will have some bass clarinets coming out. All black. I may buy some of the Selmer Concept mouthpieces, which are pretty darn good. Lets see if they will sell me 1 or 2 dozen or so.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2017-12-22 22:56)
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Author: JulianBliss
Date: 2017-12-23 03:44
Hi all
In short answer to the OP’s question. Yes we will, Worldwide!
I thought it was about time i signed up. I saw this topic and decided it would be a good one to answer. Many people have lots of questions about Leblanc, so i’ll do my best to answer them and also possibly disband a few myths about Leblanc too!
As many of you know, The US company Conn-Selmer bought Leblanc in 2004. At this time Leblanc still had manufacturing plants in France and also in Kenosha WI. Eventually the French plant was shut, the building sold and everything was moved to the USA. Leblanc is now solely based in Elkhart Indiana where the Conn-Selmer headquarters are located. All Leblanc manufacturing takes place at our south plant in Elkhart. This is something we are very proud of. We are lucky to have a fantastic team of hard working and dedicated people with a wealth of experience.
This may be a good point to mention that Selmer (Paris) do NOT own Leblanc. Selmer Paris are a completely independent company and operate as such. The only common ground and where some confusion exists is that Conn-Selmer distribute Selmer in the USA. This has been the case for many years. We have a fantastic relationship with Selmer Paris and enjoy distributing their range.
For a number of years we made the Leblanc Bliss. Last year, collectively the decision was made to replace the Bliss with an all new model of Leblanc which is the Serenade. The Serenade was launched this year and so far has been received very well. The Serenade is a nice blend of some much loved old Leblanc instruments, cutting edge technology and new ideas. The Serenade is the first step in what could be called a sort of regeneration of the Leblanc brand. We make no secret that we are working very hard on a couple of new things which hopefully will be available in the near future. When theres something new, you can guarantee we’ll make some noise about it!
For the avoidance of doubt there is currently no Clarinet in production that carries my last name, nor are there any plans for future instruments to carry the Bliss name.
I have had the pleasure of working with Leblanc and Conn-Selmer for the last 11 years not only as an artist but also in product development. A few months ago i was hired for an additional role of Market Development Manager. This is of course for Leblanc but also includes Selmer Paris in the USA only.
Collectively our goal is to build Leblanc over the coming years and to have a complete line of instruments once again. Leblanc is a manufacturer with a history dating back to 1750 and a manufacturer that has created some fantastic instruments (In my opinion of course!). As well as continuing to play as many concerts as i possibly can, It is my personal goal to do whatever within my power to help Conn-Selmer build and develop the Leblanc brand for many years to come.
I hope this answers some questions.
Thanks and hope you all have a great holiday season.
Julian
Post Edited (2017-12-23 03:47)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2017-12-23 04:00
Buffet does not own them. Buffet purchased their manufacturing plant building only in France.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2017-12-26 15:48
Very nice of Julian to register on this board and give this information!
I think a successful revival of the brand must have some connections left to the original brand other than the name.
What was striking with Leblanc France clarinets was the superb wood quality and beauty of the instruments. I know that the wood handling process can both be difficult and costly to reproduce, and maybe it is even buried and forgotten after the move from France. A lot of the know-how is always in the people that surround a process.
I assume Conn-Selmer still own the blueprints of the successful models that Leblanc produced, like the Opus and Sonata. I think new models that build on these well-known models (also in the marketing) would get a better reception by the customers than something entirely new. There is a lot of respect in the community for Leblanc France clarinets.
What I am sure Conn-Selmer can do better than Leblanc France is automating the manufacturing and having a greater product consistency.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2017-12-26 20:18
Thank You, Julian!
Welcome to these forums, and quite wonderful to hear from you! I am looking forward to your contributions!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Zacharywest158
Date: 2017-12-28 20:40
Julian,
Thank you so much for the info. I look forward to trying some of these instruments when they become available.
Happy New Year to all! May 2018 bring you nothing but the best reeds...
Post Edited (2017-12-28 20:41)
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Author: fromsfca
Date: 2017-12-31 08:19
Great to hear LeBlanc plans to return making pro line clarinets.
I still play an Bb Opus II and an Eb Opus.
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Author: super20bu6
Date: 2018-01-02 01:50
Old faithful Leblanc player here...that would LOVE to hear Leblanc is making some new Low Clarinets. Currently play a Leblanc Low C Bass and a '64 Bb Contrabass Paperclip. Awesome looking instrument and always gets comments.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2018-01-02 04:19
I hope so!
Competition = better options for everyone.
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Author: Cappuccino
Date: 2018-01-03 08:20
I don't see that happening.
Alexander May
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFZta2RG4iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh8O5DC4Tqs
"Looking at art, you're looking at the result of a philosophy." - John Emmett
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2018-01-03 19:00
The Opus and Concerto models did make a few converts at the pro level. Today a great Leblanc Bb and A soprano pro level pair, with each selling between $3000 and $3800, might do even better if the quality control was tight and the basic set-up at least got the pads to seal. Is it feasible to include cork pads on the upper joint as an out the box option for those many pros who want them? One question Leblanc market research might ask is what do competent-to-excellent repair technicians think of the model. When repair people honestly say good things about a model, the word tends to spread and sales go up. Just asking "educators" for their opinion isn't enough. Advice is cheap; repairs can be troublesome and expensive.
The combination of "made in the USA" along with "made to last" could be a winner. Maybe a Harley-Davidson (but definitely not a tempramental Jaguar) among clarinets?
Post Edited (2018-01-04 00:21)
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