Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-07-01 17:26
According to Vytas Krass, the "Symphonie Model" was the earliest in the line, predating the "Symphonie" and the "Symphonie II."
Koo Young, if you search the archives for "Vytas Symphonie Model" (without the quotes), you will find a number of threads on the Symphonie line that may give you some useful information (e.g., I think Vytas may have indicated somewhere when keys began to be plated). It's my understanding (and Scott may be the one who told me) that, when they were in production, the various Symphonie models were top-of-the-line professional instruments.
As far as market value is concerned, there was a fairly long period of time where older Leblanc Bbs (just about any model: LL, L7, L27..., Symphonies up through the Symphonie 3, Dynamic, Dynamic H, Classique (I may not have spelled all these correctly) tended to sell for around $300 - $350 if they were in decent shape. It's a little hard to tell for sure from the current hodge-podge of recent completed sales of Leblanc clarinets, but I don't think the number has moved much one way or the other. I did see one Symphonie that sold for a bit under $200 but it was in pretty rough shape. I bought one several years ago for around $160. It was enticingly advertised as "mounted." Sure enough, it came with a picture frame with burgundy velvet backing, a post near the bottom in which the bell could rest and a ligature at the top to attach to a mouthpiece. I reckon just a slightly higher use for the instrument than a lamp. There was nothing wrong with the instrument structurally but, after reconditioning it, I am forced to conclude that the seller probably had the right idea.
Scott, it's nice to see that you follow the board.
Best regards,
jnk
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The Clarinet BBoard
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