The following information and article is presented here drawn from information furnished by The Bis Key Chronicles, The Woodwind Forum, and woodwindNYC.

This old picture formerly on the Leblanc site but has since disappeared.

Ab Sopranino
Eb Sopranino
D Sopranino
C Soprano
Bb Soprano
A Soprano
(missing basset clarinet in A)
F Basset Horn
Eb Alto Clar
Bb Bass Clar to low Eb
Bb Bass Clar to low C
EEb Contralto to low C (paperclip model)
BBb Contrabass to low C (paperclip)
EEEb Octocontralto to low C
BBBb Octocontrabass to low C

The last 2 were built for some exhibition or another in the 1930s. The BBBb was supposedly the lowest pitched wind instrument ever, going down nearly an octave below the piano keyboard. One or the other of them was supposedly lying around the Paris factory as late as the 1970s, but no sign of them has been seen or heard since.

There was (I believe) only one Octocontrabass built, and three Octocontraltos. They were all in the private collection of Leon Leblanc, but (again, I believe, but don't quote me) the Octobass and one of the Octoaltos now reside with Terje Lerstad.

The Octocontrabass sounded an octave below the Contrabassoon, which made it indeed one octave lower than the lowest Bb on the piano.

You'll note that all of the horns in the photo were products of Leblanc Paris. Omitted from the photo were the "Bassett Clarinet" (which did not exist in their line at that time), the A Bass Clarinet (which only Selmer has made in modern times), but examples of which have existed since the 1800's.

The FB and articulated models, they went out of production in the 60s.

Leblanc History

The year 2004 marked one of the most significant milestones in the long history of Kenosha, Wisconsin-based Leblanc, Inc., known until recently as G. Leblanc Corporation. On July 21, 2004, contracts were signed for Leblanc to be acquired by Steinway Musical Instruments, forging a partnership of undisputed greatness within the music industry. The transaction was completed on August 12, 2004. Leon Pascucci retained his key management role as president of Leblanc, Inc., and the company is now managed as a division of Conn-Selmer, Inc.

Other recent milestones have also marked Leblanc's centuries-old history and traditions. The Noblet name, for example, still vital as a brand within the Leblanc France line, marked its 250th anniversary in the year 2000, and the Frank Holton Company, Leblanc's brasswind division, celebrated its centennial in 1998. G. Leblanc Corporation itself, founded in 1946, marked the beginning of a new era of vigorous leadership in 2003 when Leon Pascucci assumed the primary management role upon the death of his father, Vito Pascucci.

Since its modest beginnings in America as a two-man shop, the company grew to a position of international prominence under the leadership of its cofounders, LuFFFDon Leblanc (1900-2000) and Vito Pascucci (1922-2003). The Kenosha-headquartered corporation employs a family of some 300 workers at three sites in Wisconsin (two in Kenosha, one in Elkhorn) and about 40 workers in La Couture-Boussey, France.

The story of Leblanc's inception and ultimate growth is one of the most captivating and well known in the music industry; the stuff of which, as the saying goes, legends are made.

French roots. Leblanc in America traces its origins to the founding of Ets. D. Noblet of France in 1750, when the great flourishing of instrumental music at the court of Louis XV created a demand for musical instruments of all kinds. More than any other instrument manufacturer, Noblet refined and developed early woodwind manufacturing techniques, securing for the French nation its preeminent reputation for producing the best wind instruments in the world. Based in La Couture-Boussey for two and a half centuries, it is among the oldest continuously operating companies in France.

In 1904, having no heirs, the Noblet family passed its holdings to Georges Leblanc, descendant of a long line of distinguished French instrument makers. By the time he acquired Noblet, Georges Leblanc had gained a reputation as one of the finest woodwind makers in France. The workshop at the Leblanc headquarters in Paris became a meeting place of the great woodwind artists of the era. Working side by side with Georges was his wife, Clemence, who actually managed the factory while Georges fought during World War I.

From the beginning, the Leblancs were constantly guided by scientific principles and inspired by their inborn musical genius. As a result of this relentless dedication toward progress, Georges Leblanc and his son, Leon, set up their Paris workshop as the first full-time acoustical research laboratory for wind instruments. They recruited the talents of Charles Houvenaghel, regarded at the time as the greatest acoustician since Adolphe Sax.

The subsequent growth and success of G. Leblanc Cie. as a manufacturing entity was largely due to the work of Leon Leblanc, who in addition to his reputation as an instrument maker and businessman, was also a gifted clarinetist, holder of the first prize of the Paris Conservatoire, the first and only instrument maker to have held such an honor.

He had before him a brilliant career as a concert clarinetist, but chose instead to remain true to his heritage, feeling that he could make a greater contribution to music by combining the talents and sensitivities he developed as a musician with his skills as an instrument maker.

Together, Georges, Leon and Houvenaghel pushed the theoretical limits of instrument design to produce the first truly playable complete clarinet choir, ranging from sopranino to octo-contrabass, encompassing a range that surpasses that of the orchestral string sections. Perhaps even more significant, the Leblanc firm was the first instrument maker in history to manufacture clarinets with interchangeable keys, resulting in instruments that were easier to play in tune by artists as well as beginners.

As Leon Leblanc once noted, "Musicians of today should not be handicapped by the deficiencies of those before me. Acoustical, mechanical and musical improvements will be made. To this end, I have dedicated my life." Monsieur Leblanc served as chairman of the American company and president honoraire of the French firm until his death in 2000 at the age of 99.

The history of Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin, dates to the last months of World War II and a chance meeting between Leon Leblanc and Vito Pascucci.

The American connection. Born in Kenosha, Vito Pascucci showed a marked interest in music and played cornet in the Kenosha High School band. He became fascinated with the construction and design of musical instruments and learned their repair as a summer apprentice at the Frank Holton Company (the Elkhorn, Wisconsin, brass-instrument manufacturer that Leblanc would later acquire), and then, while still in high school, augmented his family's income by operating an instrument-repair shop at his brother's music store.

In 1943, Pascucci was called into the armed forces. His instrument-repair skills were rewarded when he was assigned as a trumpeter and repairman to Army Field Bands, then to the Army Air Corps Band, led by Glenn Miller. He began with the Miller band in New Haven, Connecticut, then traveled with them to Europe. Stationed in England, Pascucci and Miller formed plans to set up a chain of music stores after the war.

Miller's untimely death put an end to those plans, but when the band was sent to newly liberated France, Vito paid a visit to G. Leblanc Cie., and his guide that day was Leon Leblanc. After service discharge in 1946, Pascucci returned to Kenosha, where Mr. Leblanc asked him to establish a foothold for the French company in America.

A shop for the purpose of disassembling, climatizing and reassembling wood instruments was set up as part of the new firm. After shipment to America by sea (and later by air), the wood was allowed to stabilize under the new atmospheric conditions, and the instruments were restored to original factory specifications, reassembled, adjusted and thoroughly tested.

Thus the instrument retailer was assured that wood clarinets would be delivered in perfect playing condition. Discriminating clarinetists were assured that every instrument would be musically as well as mechanically correct. And band directors were assured that the instruments their students played would possess a harmonious timbre, have correct intonation and be free of mechanical deficiencies.

Soon, in the 1950s, due to an ever-growing school market, demand for Leblanc instruments in the United States was far greater than the French concern could meet, so Leblanc began producing plastic-bodied clarinets in Kenosha.

The Vito line of musical instruments was thus born, thrusting Leblanc to the forefront of the student clarinet market. In 1951, construction of Leblanc's Kenosha factory was completed, a plant that to this day provides a model for the industry in its modern equipment, efficient operation and attractive appearance. Ever-increasing production called for the factory's subsequent expansion in 1953, 1960 and 1966. In 1999, Leblanc added 37,000 square feet of modern manufacturing and warehousing space to its Kenosha headquarters, bringing even greater flow and efficiency to its work flow.

Through the years, Leblanc's staff developed innovative methods that brought the production of plastic-bodied instruments to then unknown levels of accuracy and consistency. Rough-cut body blanks of a specially formulated plastic called Resotone were crafted into clarinets with the same care that wood instruments were afforded, rather than merely injection-molding the finished clarinet joints as some other manufacturers were doing at the time.

Unique precision boring machines simultaneously bored out the plastic body blanks, drilled tone holes and the holes for keyposts. Developed internally, these drilling machines enhanced consistency and efficiency manyfold. If all their operations were to be performed separately, it would have been impossible to achieve Leblanc's legendary consistency and precision in construction. These machines revolutionized the way plastic clarinets were made, and today, have been replaced by even more sophisticated CNC drilling machines.

In 2004, a new line of student woodwinds was introduced bearing the Leblanc USA brand, a marketing shift that now allows clarinetists to play "Leblanc for life."

Decades of growth. In 1964, Leblanc acquired the Frank Holton Company, located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, one of America's most prestigious brass-instrument manufacturers. With this acquisition, Leblanc not only gained the revered Holton name, but procured the priceless experience of the craftsmen who had worked there many years prior.

Holton's famed Collegiate line made Leblanc a major presence in the school brasswind market, and this student-priced line then and still does set the school standard. With the acquisition, Leblanc also gained a friend in Philip Farkas, one of the world's leading hornists and teachers. The line of instruments to which the late Mr. Farkas still lends his name comprises the world's bestselling student and professional French horns.

In 1968, Leblanc acquired the Woodwind Company, a respected manufacturer of clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces. Under the guidance of G. Leblanc Corporation, the Woodwind Company brand is widely recognized for the excellence of its manufacture and performance.

The Martin Band Instrument Company was acquired by Leblanc in 1971 from the Wurlitzer company and was relocated to Kenosha from Elkhart, Indiana. Martin, founded in Chicago, would have been America's oldest continuously operating band-instrument manufacturer if not for the Great Chicago Fire. The famous Committee trumpet, favored by Wallace Roney, Chris Botti and other top jazz artists, and the innovative Urbie Green trombone both carry the legendary Martin name, made in a progressive, modern plant.

On January 1, 1981, Leblanc was granted the exclusive rights to market Yanagisawa artist saxophones in the United States and Canada. Considered the most technically advanced saxophones made, Yanagisawa instruments are played by some of the world's foremost saxophonists.

In April, 1989, Leblanc USA acquired majority interest in the esteemed French firm and assumed responsibility for its management.

A new generation. Leon Pascucci (namesake of Leon Leblanc) joined his father at Leblanc in 1971, serving in various capacities throughout the company's operations. In 1991 he was named president, and in 2001 he became chief executive officer. The shareholders of G. Leblanc Corporation, meeting the week after Vito Pascucci's death, named Leon Pascucci to the position of board chairman on August 28, 2003.

In addition to his many years of service to Leblanc, the younger Pascucci has volunteered his services to numerous organizations, both locally and within the music industry.

Pascucci currently serves on the boards of the Music Distributors Association, the NAMM Museum of Making Music, the American Music Conference, the National Bandmasters Association and the Berklee College of Music Board of Visitors. He is a past president of the National Association of Band Instrument Manufacturers and a past board member of NAMM, the International Music Products Association.

Pascucci is also well known for his design abilities, which he has applied to Leblanc's exhibits at NAMM, to the company's offices and factories, and to a gallery of miniature interiors, which have been nationally published. What's more, Leblanc's new student clarinet case is a reflection of Leon's design sense.

A look behind, a look ahead. In the years since its inception, Leblanc has earned a solid reputation as an innovator in instrument design, manufacturing technique, modern marketing programs and award-winning national advertising campaigns.

Even more important, no other manufacturer can offer as wide a selection of brass and woodwind instruments crafted with the same integrity and dedication to excellence as does Leblanc. Through all stages of the company's growth, advancement and acquisitions, it has never lost sight of the principles on which it was founded. Long ago, Georges Leblanc established the basic tenets of integrity, musicianship and creativity for his firms to live by. At Leblanc, Inc., these principles still live on, propelling the company into the 21st century.

Since 1750, Leblanc has been and remains committed to the highest standards of excellence, all in the service of musicians and of music itself.

Leblanc 340
1964	1000	1189
1965	1190	1408
1966	1409	1539
1967	1540	1650
1968	1651	1762
1969	1763	1899
1970	1900	1977
1971	1978	2075
1972	2076	2176
1973	2177	2275
1974	2276	2310
1975	2311	2389
1976	2390	2433
1977	2434	2482
1978	2483	2490
1979	2491	2500
1980	2501	2507
1981	2508	2510
1982	2511	2518
1983	2519	2530

Leblanc 342

1964	27	136
1965	137	199
1966	200	380
1967	381	469
1968	470	622
1969	623	720
1970	721	780
1971	781	879
1972	880	1009
1973	1010	1079
1974	1080	1130
1975	1131	1202
1976	1203	1212
1977	1213	1281
1978	1282	1330
1979	1331	1349
1980	1350	1365
1981	1366	1375
1982	1376	1395
1983	1396	1409

Leblanc 350

1964	300	331
1965	332	369
1966	370	420
1967	421	445
1968	446	463
1969	464	476
1970	477	490
1971	491	511
1972	512	519
1973	520	543
1974	544	556
1975	557	563
1976	564	574
1977	575	619
1978	620	624
1979	625	630
1980	631	635
1981	636	640
1982	641	645
1983	646	650

Leblanc 352

1964	12	59
1965	60	102
1966	103	150
1967	151	210
1968	211	279
1969	280	299
1970	300	424
1971	425	441
1972	442	489
1973	490	520
1974	521	529
1975	530	544
1976	545	605
1977	606	636
1978	637	644
1979	645	655
1980	656	659
1981	660	665
1982	666	670
1983	671	675

Leblanc Bass Clarinets Models #400,415,417,425,430,325,330

1964	7600	8119
1965	8120	8360
1966	8361	8706
1967	8707	9147
1968	9148	9471
1969	9472	9852
1970	9853	10249
1971	10250	10601
1972	10602	10888
1973	10889	11240
1974	11241	11639
1975	11640	11956
1976	11957	12315
1977	12316	12810
1978	12811	13108
1979	13109	13509
1980	13510	13736
1981	13737	13891
1982	13892	14000
1983	14001	14219
1984	14220	14844

Leblanc 417 Bass Clarinet

1978	12560	12750
1979	12751	13220
1980	13221	13978
1981	13979	14010
1982	Disc.	Disc.

Leblanc Classic 476

1964	18000	22999
1965	23000	23999
1966	24000	25699
1967	25700	28411
1968	28412	30950
1969	30951	31600
1970	31601	33425
1971	33426	34899
1972	34900	37419
1973	37420	39204
1974	39205	42030
1975	8701	8847
1976	8848	8872
1977	8873	8893
1978	Disc.	Disc.

Noblet 55 (60) Alto Clarinet
1964	4200	4564
1965	4565	4799
1966	4800	5103
1967	5104	5374
1968	5375	5600
1969	5601	5733
1970	5734	5902
1971	5903	6035
1972	6036	6132
1973	6133	6228
1974	6229	6354
1975	6355	6469
1976	6470	6617
1977	6618	6693
1978	6694	6774
1979	6775	6868
1980	6869	6959
1981	6960	6965
1982	6966	7052
1983	7053	7123

Noblet 55 (60) Bass Clarinet
1964	4700	5113
1965	5114	5399
1966	5400	5899
1967	5900	6487
1968	6488	7076
1969	7077	7329
1970	7330	7626
1971	7627	8034
1972	8035	8373
1973	8374	8765
1974	8766	9194
1975	9195	9683
1976	9684	9815
1977	9816	10565
1978	10566	11114
1979	11115	11421
1980	11422	12065
1981	12066	12654
1982	12655	12793
1983	12794	12972
1984	12973	13430

Model 7165
1964	1207	1643
1965	1644	1976
1966	1977	2385
1967	2386	2868
1968	2869	3566
1969	3567	4553
1970	4554	5581
1971	5582	6762
1972	6763	7387
1973	7388	7612
1974	7613	8297
1975	8298	8683
1976	8684	9130
1977	9131	9505
1978	9506	9750
1979	9751	1040A
1980	1041A	1172A
1981	1173A	1414A
1982	1415A	1601A
1983	1602A	1800A
1984	1801A	1938A
1985	1939A	2098A
1986	2099A	2154A
1987	2155A	2290A
1988	2291A	2421A
1989	2422A	2551A
1990	2552A	2631A
1991	2632A	2823A
1992	2824A	2976A
1993	2977A	3085A
1994	3086A	3115A
1995	3116A	3197A
1996	3198A	3233A
1997	3234A	3344A
1998	3345A	0170A
1999	0171A	3585A
2000	3586A	3644A
2001	3645A	3737A
2002	3738A	3878A
2003	3879A

Models 7166/7168
1964	101A	989A
1965	990A	2459A
1966	2460A	3525A
1967	3526A	4385A
1968	4386A	7148A
1969	7149A	8594A
1970	8595A	9760A
1971	9761A	1808B
1972	1809B	2025B
1973	2026B	4188B
1974	4189B	5888B
1975	5889B	6949B
1976	6950B	7244B
1977	7245B	8365B
1978	8366B	9445B
1979	9446B	623C
1980	624C	1401C
1981	1402C	2212C
1982	2213C	3109C
1983	3110C	3564C
1984	3565C	4902C
1985	4903C	5797C
1986	5798C	6630C
1987	6631C	7559C
1988	7560C	8544C
1989	8545C	9707C
1990	9708C	1173D
1991	1174D	2650D
1992	2651D	3666D
1993	3667D	5369D
1994	5370D	6265D
1995	6266D	7504D
1996	7505D	8897D
1997	8898D	0616E
1998	0617E	2160E
1999	2161E	4042E
2000	4043E	6353E
2001	6354E	8847E
2002	8848E	1224F
2003	1225F

Vito Clarinets Models 7212,7213,7214,v40,cl612,cl614,7242

1972	A80000	B00235
1973	B00236	B19755
1974	B19756	B43177
1975	B43178	B67359
1976	B67360	B89670
1977	B89671	C00000
1978	C11804	C30365
1979	C30366	C54833
1980	C54834	C75803
1981	C75804	D01578
1982	D01579	D25635
1983	D25636	E13604
1984	E13605	A07632
1985	A07633	A22037
1986	A22038	A37938
1987	A37939	A61456
1988	A61457	A86496
1989	A86497	B14492
1990	B14493	B40076
1991	B40077	B64823
1992	B64824	B89436
1993	B89437	C18260
1994	C18261	C45957
1995	C45958	C74050
1996	C74051	D04016
1997	D04017	D33263
1998	D33264	D62070
1999	D62071	D86150
2000	D86151	E09559
2001	E09560	E33519
2002	E33520	E53900
2003	E53901

Model 7131RK

1970	1	500
1971	501	2155
1972	2156	3529
1973	3530	4421
1974	4422	12000
1975	12001	25603
1976	25604	30827
1977	30828	33947
1978	33948	38844
1979	38845	42434
1980	42435	47975
1981	47976	52455
1982	52456	58306
1983	58307	62177
1984	62178	68524
1985	68525	72535
1986	72536	78579
1987	78580	85091
1988	85092	89758
1989	89759	501000
1990	501098	510332
1991	510333	511518
1992	511519	515800
1993	515801	519845
1994	519846	526925
1995	526926	533097
1996	533098	537807
1997	537808	552998
1998	552999	560613
1999	560614	575843
2000	575842	587455
2001	587456	624567
2002	624568	654084

Model C-602R

1980	12283	12908
1981	12909	13475
1982	13476	14839
1983	14840	15621
1984	15622	15765
1985	15766	15816
1986	15817	15960
1987	815771	822151
1988	822152	824515

Noblet 40, 45, and 27

1964	38500	42999
1965	43000	55999
1966	56000	58399
1967	58400	66999
1968	67000	78999
1969	79000	91299
1970	91300	98700
1971	A101	A12417
1972	A1101	A16000
1973	A16228	A33700
1974	A33701	A44832
1975	A44833	A57320
1976	A57321	A66597
1977	A66598	A76349
1978	A76350	A87894
1979	A87895	A95499
1980	A95000	B10309
1981	B10310	B10700
1982	B10701	B25890
1983	B25891	B28146
1984	B28147	B45800

Normandy Wood Clarinets Model #8,10,4

1964	24000	35500
1965	35501	42000
1966	42001	47000
1967	47001	51500
1968	51501	55398
1969	57401	59750
1970	59751	63804
1971	63805	65499
1972	65500	69699
1973	69700	72363
1974	72364	74728
1975	74729	76007
1976	76008	78349
1977	78350	86946
1978	86947	91100
1979	91101	93648
1980	93649	96859
1981	96860	97760
1982	97761	98257
1983	98258	B26150

Leblanc France Clarinets
1964	16000	21999
1965	22000	22999
1966	23000	25999
1967	26000	27499
1968	27500	30315
1969	30316	32271
1970	32272	33143
1971	33144	35934
1972	35935	37539
1973	37540	40182
1974	40183	41548
1975	41549	42989
1976	42900	44522
1977	44523	47760
1978	47761	48795
1979	48796	50634
1980	50635	52560
1981	52561	52879
1982	52880	53000
1983	53001	55146
1984	55147	57480

Leblanc Clarinet Serial Numbers Date Of Manufacture

"Carolyn Sue Kincaid Chesnut Plays Exclusively Leblanc Paris Clarinets"

Carolyn Sue Kincaid Chesnut plays exclusively Paris Built Leblanc Clarinets; Models Symphonie (1953), along with other Leblanc models from 1958, 1962, and 1969, including a Model built by Charles Houvenaghel in Paris Factory.

Carolyn Sue Kincaid Chesnut plays an Original Leblanc Symphonie, Dynamique Model II, Dynamic Model H built by Charles Houvenaghel in the Paris Factory, and a Model LL LeBlanc Clarinet built for Orchestra and Ensemble.

All other known Leblanc models serial number and date of manufacture are noted below including the Leblanc Paris Clarinet series of fine instruments.

Leblanc History

The story of Leblanc's inception and ultimate growth is one of the most captivating and well known in the music industry; the stuff of which, as the saying goes, legends are made.

He had before him a brilliant career as a concert clarinetist, but chose instead to remain true to his heritage, feeling that he could make a greater contribution to music by combining the talents and sensitivities he developed as a musician with his skills as an instrument maker.

The history of Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin, dates to the last months of World War II and a chance meeting between Leon Leblanc and Vito Pascucci.

Soon, in the 1950s, due to an ever-growing school market, demand for Leblanc instruments in the United States was far greater than the French concern could meet, so Leblanc began producing plastic-bodied clarinets in Kenosha.

In 2004, a new line of student woodwinds was introduced bearing the Leblanc USA brand, a marketing shift that now allows clarinetists to play "Leblanc for life."

In 1968, Leblanc acquired the Woodwind Company, a respected manufacturer of clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces. Under the guidance of G. Leblanc Corporation, the Woodwind Company brand is widely recognized for the excellence of its manufacture and performance.

On January 1, 1981, Leblanc was granted the exclusive rights to market Yanagisawa artist saxophones in the United States and Canada. Considered the most technically advanced saxophones made, Yanagisawa instruments are played by some of the world's foremost saxophonists.

In April, 1989, Leblanc USA acquired majority interest in the esteemed French firm and assumed responsibility for its management.

In addition to his many years of service to Leblanc, the younger Pascucci has volunteered his services to numerous organizations, both locally and within the music industry.

A look behind, a look ahead. In the years since its inception, Leblanc has earned a solid reputation as an innovator in instrument design, manufacturing technique, modern marketing programs and award-winning national advertising campaigns.

Since 1750, Leblanc has been and remains committed to the highest standards of excellence, all in the service of musicians and of music itself.

"Carolyn Sue Kincaid Chesnut Serial Number Files"

LEBLANC CLARINETS MODEL NUMBERS #l27,#1167,#1610,#1611,#1612,#l200,#l300,#1189,#1190,#1276

Leblanc 340

1964

1000

1189

1965

1190

1408

1966

1409

1539

1967

1540

1650

1968

1651

1762

1969

1763

1899

1970

1900

1977

1971

1978

2075

1972

2076

2176

1973

2177

2275

1974

2276

2310

1975

2311

2389

1976

2390

2433

1977

2434

2482

1978

2483

2490

1979

2491

2500

1980

2501

2507

1981

2508

2510

1982

2511

2518

1983

2519

2530