These parts were for 2 different models of LeBlanc clarinets, according to the boxes these parts came in. Sonata and Espirit. I just today finished turning a batch of 60 Folk Flutes using the 2 bump wood for the middle joints and the 3 bump wood for the lower joints, and new wood for head joints. It will be great to have inventory and flutes people only have to wait a week or two for! Turning these is what I have been up to since the middle of August. Future batches will probably smaller but my goal is to build up enough of an inventory that I can eventually retire from making this particular model, but keep selling them deep into the future and focus on other instruments.
I have found one box of the 2 bump wood where the pieces are 195mm long - I require 200mm. Not sure what I will do with these - though I am making some higher pitched flutes where these might come in useful. There are usually 60 to 65 pieces per box and all are labeled as to which clarinet these were for, if they have completed tenons. Some of the 2 bump pieces that I am using for middle joints already have tenons on them - though larger in diameter than what I need. I found that supporting these with a hose clamp during reaming was sufficient to prevent the lower tenon from cracking. To get the correct length all I have to do on these is cut off the upper tenon flush with the shoulder, and reface the wood. These scraps made from the sawn off tenons will burn like coal in my woodstove!
Casey
Interesting.
The Sonata (#1020S) and Esprit (#1040S) models were the ‘entry-level’ professional model offered by Leblanc in the early 2000s. So, sitting about two thirds up the ladder of wood quality, I imagine.
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Noblet/Ads/NobletAd08.pdf
I have an Eb sopranino Esprit and it is a truly beautiful instrument. Gorgeous in every way.
Leblanc were a huge giant in woodwinds and now sadly (mostly) gone forever
V
Here are 60 Folk Flute bodies, made with the repurposed LeBlanc clarinet wood for the middle and lower joints. I just finished the laser engraving of my maker’s label an hour ago.
I found out more about this wood today. Sadly there will be no more available. These were part of a 15 pallet lot of clarinet parts, wood, etc. after Selmer/Conn shut down the LeBlanc production line. It sat is some warehouse for about 4 years before one of the Elkhart band instrument repair suppliers purchased the lot. The purchase included blackwood squares (all gone), clarinet parts in various stage of completion including joints with all the tone holes drilled, some with all the pins mounted. Some of the keys etc. went into their regular replacement parts bins For everything else they made up some “grab bags” of random parts that they sell to instrument technicians.
The boxes are all labeled as to the year these parts were generated. Most of the boxes of my clarinet tubes are dated to 1997 and around. One can assume that the wood for these had been aging at least 10 years before it got to this state - thus 1980s. Its nice to be using such well aged wood for my instruments!
Casey
