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Serial Number Lists : Saxophones Clarinets Q&A

For Sale: Evette Master Model and Others. Mouthpieces For Sale
Miscellaneous
List of Bore Sizes	1982 Price & model List

Serial Numbers
Alexandre(USA & Paris - Henri Selmer's brother) Early G. Bundy	Leblanc Serial Numbers
Buffet	Noblet Serial Numbers (Bb, Alto & Bass)
Evette-Schaeffer	Normandy Serial Numbers
Buescher	Selmer(Paris)
Peter Eaton Clarinets	Selmer(USA)
Artley	Boosey & Hawkes
SML	Eaton
Malerne	Couesnon
Marigaux	Yamaha

History Information
Leblanc, Noblet (Noblet, Normandy) History	Alternative Keywork

Pictures & Emblems
Leblanc Nomandy Info & Emblems	Leblanc Noblet Info & Emblems
Leblanc Emblems	Selmer Paris Emblems
Selmer USA Emblems (Mazzeo system)

If anyone has any information they wish to share about any item on or not on this page please contact SteveSklar@gmail.com

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Alexandre Clarinets

Alexandre Clarinets were from Henri Selmer's Brother Alexandre. (in summary) Alexandre departed to the US in 1885 and was solo clarinetist for several of America's biggest Orchestras (Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, and New York Philharmonic Orchestra). He also struck out on his own and started manufacturing Alexandre clarinets in the US.

He started the Selmer USA company in 1904 and then started importing his brother's, Henri Selmer, instruments to the US. George Bundy, a former student, was hired to manage the company. When Henri desperately needed assistance in producing clarinets Alexandre went back to France in 1910 and opened the Gazillion factory. For a short period he produced Alexandre clarinets in France. These clarinets are stamped "made in france" the US ones I believe had no marking of origin. He then abandoned clarinet manufacture after helping his brother get his clarinet design "corrected".

You could say the Alexandre clarinets were Selmer Paris prototype clarinets. BUT they are not. Alexandre Selmer is a Selmer, but not a Henri Selmer and then Alexandre did design the new Henri Selmer clarinets which of course resemble his clarinets.

SN 726x - manufactured 1926-1927

NOTE: There are Alexandre saxophones but those are Italian made and no relation to Selmer

In 1927 George Bundy buys his store from the Selmers and becomes the sole distributor of the Henri Selmer Paris instruments. He names his company "H & A Selmer Inc." H&A probably standing for Henri & Alexandre. H&A is seen on vintage Selmer USA saxophones.

Below is an earlier Alexandre. throat keys are on separate posts but no throat adjusting screw and no trill guide

Artley

Artley Clarinet Serial Number List
Date Serial Number
1971 1000
1972 7901
1973 20001
1974 38001
1975 51701
1976 64701-75587
1977 75588-86511
1978 86512-100130
1979 100131-117758
1980 117759-135153
1981 135154-147454
1982 147455-165582
1983 165583-179967
1984 179968-199870
1985 199871-211588
1986 211589-231553
1987 231554-253170
1988 253171-265112
1988 3811988-3821777
1989 3900001-3930368
1990 4000000-4000600
1990 4030001-4055555
1991 4100001-4129999

sn 70065xx plastic student clarinet - This clarinet is interesting. It's a polycylindrical bore,and the keywork is quite spread making it not the best for a student. They play and sound nice though.

Barklee

Little is known. They were made in New York City at one time and bought out be LeBlanc (unknown year)

Apparently they were manufactured on West 8th Street.

Boosey & Hawkes - British

B&H ceased production when purchase by the Buffet Company.

models:
"LeFluer" model are Malerne and Corton/Amati stencils (1950s)

1-10 (student plastic, wood or rubber)
Marlborough (1960s) , Edgeware (1960s - 1970s) , and later the Emperor
Regent - both available in wood, plastic or rubber which varied over the years. Last made in 1970s before they were acquired by Buffet

2-20 (intermediate)
925 / 926 Imperial - available in mostly rubber but also wood

Series 2000 (Pro)
1010, 1010 Symphony

NOTE: Early wood student Regents (1950s and before) had pot metal keys which are very soft, easily breakable and close to unrepairable. These clarinets are not worth much.. Models that do not have a serial number that matches the list may be made by Shreiber. Student Models that have no bell ring may also be made by Shreiber.

Models	Notes
Edgeware		Junkdude.com pic # 1 pic # 2 pic # 3 pic # 4
1010		see pics below in 1976


Boosey & Company
1891	10984
1900	13865
1910	18497
1920	22918
1925	25661
1930	28696
Boosey & Hawkes
1935
1940	35142
1944	36000
1948	50900
1951	52931	Flute & Clarinet SN's merged
1955	115630
1960	183400
1966	265000
1967	277000
1968	298000
1969	311500
1970	330000
1971	350000
1972	375000
1973	395000
1974	412000
1975	435000
1976	447000	1010 Symphony 4415xx
1977	466000
1978	486000
1979	500000
1980	515000
1981	526800
1982	542100
1983	55xxxx or possibly 652900

G. Bundy

Early George Bundy clarinets have been rumored to be Selmer Paris clarinets. But, here's something interesting:

Henri did not know George Bundy directly (assumption, but it's easy to assume that Alexandre knew him much better)
Alexandre not only Hired Mr Bundy to help run his US operations initially but Mr. Bundy was a student of his and of course later sold the operations to Mr Bundy.

Now,
If we look at the emblems on the Bundy clarinets, and compare the typeface to that of the Alexandre clarinets, they, at least on the examples i've seen, are the same. So are G. Bundy clarinets actually Alexandre stencils ? I would think so. After all, there is alot of similarities between the Alexandre and Selmer Paris. And we already know that Alexandre went back to Paris to help Henri Selmer refine his clarinets. So, in short, I think G. Bundy clarinets are actually Alexandre stencils. Why not, Selmer Paris isn't actually known to stencil very many trumpets, saxophones nor clarinets throughout it's history.

I have pics coming soon showing these similarities.

Not the greatest of pics right now. But the Paris typeface is very similar. I have another Alexander which has more similar typeface and keywork (trying to find). But another possibility is that it is a Malerne stencil. They used about the same fonts too. After further investigation of Malernes I doubt it. Back to the Alexandre and Selmer Paris investigation.

Buescher

Buescher True Tone. Considered Professional level. Blued steel springs. Blued steel insertion plates in flat spring channels. No "made in france" stamp anywhere though - not sure if they were manufactuered directly by Buescher or possible a stencil from Conn or anyone else. Buescher True Tone Clarinet

Buescher 400 clarinets were stencils from Selmer USA. Similar to the Selmer Signet 100 or 200.

Buffet Crampon Clarinets
http://www.buffet-crampon.com/buffetcrampon.asp?lang=english
Professional clarinets since 1825, factory established 1850.
This list does not include the Evette model clarinets made by Buffet

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QPWKD-3q1JU

Not sure where I got this blurb from, probably Boosey & Hawkes (Buffet is now a separate wholly owned company)

" Buffet History
Founded in 1839 by Jean-Louis Buffet-Crampon, Buffet clarinets soon became the choice of the majority of the world’s professional players. By 1900, Buffet had a workforce of 200 craftsmen, producing clarinets, flutes and saxophones, all of high quality.

Paul Evette and Ernest Schaeffer bought the firm in 1885. "Evette and Schaeffer" clarinets were the "step up" instruments from Buffet until about 1980. A public corporation since 1929, the company was absorbed into the Boosey-Hawkes conglomerate in 1981.

Instruments made between 1935 and 1980 are considered by many to be the very best of Buffet’s production. The American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet in the mid 1970’s. He was aware of the fact that not all clarinet players agreed on the tone-color of their instrument, so the "R-13" ("Arthur King", we call them...) model was soon joined by the "Continentale", the "S-1", the "BC-20" and later the "RC". All have subtle differences, all are considered to be "top of the line" equals. Before 1980, the Buffet name was only engraved on their best clarinets: the "step up" and student quality instruments were stamped "Evette & Schaeffer" or "Evette". Today, the Buffet name and logo are engraved on the entire line of Buffet instruments, from the German-made plastic to their very best clarinets

Buffet is now a part of the Boosey-Hawkes Musical Instrument Company of London."

Current Buffet History as taken from the Buffet-Crampon website
http://buffet-crampon.com/en/history.php

In 1825 a French “luthier”, Denis Buffet-Auger, established his workshop right in the heart of Paris. He quickly became well-known in the music world for developing of the excellent 13-key clarinet. At that time, clarinets were entirely hand-made, which required a wealth of experience and craftsmanship.

In 1830, Jean-Louis Buffet (Denis’ son) took over the business. He married Zoé Crampon in 1836 and so the famous Buffet Crampon brand name was created. The logo used today first appeared in 1844.

Louis-Auguste Buffet (Jean-Louis’ uncle) met the clarinettist Hyacinthe Klosé, a virtuoso musician and a teacher at the Paris Conservatory. These two men, the technician and the artist, worked together. They took the idea of movable rings which the German Theobald Boehm has developed for the flute and adapted it for the clarinet. First exhibited in 1839, this new system was very successful and in order to meet the demand, the Buffet Crampon factory was built in 1850 in Mantes-la-Ville. As early as 1866, Buffet Crampon was producing its first saxophones, 20 years after the invention of this instrument by the Belgian Adolphe Sax.

Buffet Crampon has received many awards for the quality of its instruments, notably in 1889 during the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

In 1918, Buffet Crampon entered the American market and established its position as the leader in the world of professional clarinets.

In 1921, a young beginner, Robert Carrée, was hired by the company. He was an extremely talented acoustic technician and developed the R13 clarinet in 1950 and the RC clarinet in 1975. These in turn led to the creation of the Festival and Prestige professional models.

The factory modernizes its workshops and has adopted modern technology, but remains faithful to its original standards for quality.

In 1981, Buffet Crampon was bought by the famous music publisher Boosey & Hawkes, of London.

Buffet Crampon has always had a tradition of innovation. In 1994, a new material was created and named Green Line. This innovative material is composed 95% of ebony powder and 5% of carbon fibre, eliminating the risk of cracking while maintaining the acoustic qualities of wood. Today the Green Line range is used worldwide by the greatest professional clarinet and oboe players.

In 2003, Boosey & Hawkes withdrew from the famous French manufactory of instruments, and sold it to The Music Group.

In 2005, Buffet Crampon regained its independence under the supervision of the President Paul Baronnat, who is deeply committed to the accompaniment of the musicians and the protection of the brand. In 2006, Buffet Crampon acquires two famous brands of brass instruments: Antoine Courtois Paris and Besson.

Since its inception, the company has ranked first amongst clarinet manufacturers, owing to its unrivalled expertise, innovative approach and modernised facilities, from which Buffet Crampon oboes, bassoons and saxophones also benefit.

The tradition, the spirit of the company and the musicians accompaniment have been, since 1825, and are now more than ever the centre of the dynamic of Buffet Crampon.

Models	Notes
	The modern Buffet logo first appeared on Buffets approximately in 1844
Late 1800s	No serial numbers Wrap around register key "teapot" tilted type register vent with no register vent protruding into the bore No throat adjustment screw "H. Bettoney" is stamped on the Bell as the US importer. LP can be lightly seen under the UJ under the Made in France stamp below the Buffet Emblem. The 1906 version of this clarinet has a normal backside register key & vent. These early Buffets featured the cutout below the crows foot and a flat spring underneath the F#/C# key. You can see the metal piece as the touch point for the flat spring in the cutout. It also featured a flat spring on the C#/G#
1910-1930s	1910-1930s Buffets were imported by Carl Fisher and had an appropriate designation to that. Any "LP" stamp designated Low Pitch at 440hz
1936ish	keywork modification (at least 1936) when the [a] added throat adjustment screw, [b] LH pinky spatula keys went from 1 shared post to two posts and rods; [c] and 2 horizontally placed screw thumbrest. [d] The LH side sliver key still closes a small vent key - fork Eb/Bb mechanism (see pics of 1936 in SN list)
1941-1950	Carl Fisher Musical Instruments Company of New York continued to import the Buffet clarinets. They (Carl Fisher and not Buffet) had the designations of R13, R13 1/2, R14, R14 1/2, R16 R16 1/2, R16 3/4 - this was found in the Carl Fisher catalogs, not on the clarinet itself. The "1/2" represented an Eb lever. The R14 had 17 keys and 7 rings & the Eb lever. R16 was the 19 key, 7 ring with articulated G#, Eb lever and forked Eb key. R16 3/4 had 20 keys, 7 rings, articulated G#, Eb lever, forked Bb and a partridge in a pear tree !!
pre R-13	Pre-R13s Stopped production around 1955. Visual attributes: Shared throat post keys; key guide for top two trill keys is a flat metal with triangular sides. From at least 1941 - 1955 Pro Buffets had a "Master Bore". During the 1950-1955 time frame Carree's polycylindrical bore was used experimentally and evolved towards the introduction of the R-13 in 1955.
R-13	Started Production in 1955 through today. Some "prototypes" were developed earlier than 1955. Primary identification included separate throat key posts; shape of the key guide for the top two trill keys - R-13 has a cylinder with slot cut down the middle.
	Early R13s has a flat spring for the C#/G# key until, supposedly 1970. To some, this provides a much smooth key action. This was the preferred method going back to the earliest Buffets but was not used in the 1940s - mid 1950's - as a needle spring was used. We offer a service where we can retrofit a flat spring to the C#/G# key for those that prefer it (the needle spring can be unhooked and kept in position if desired)
R-13 RC
E-13 (High end Intermediate)	pre E-13s (before they were sold as Buffets) are Evette-Schaeffer and Evette clarinets - please see that section for more information.
C-12 (Conservatory/High end Intermediate)
E-11 (Beginner ntermediate)	Made in Germany. Current E-11s have plastic tonehole inserts
Academy R113	R113s were also known as the Academy model which were supposedly identical to R13 with some minor default such as body or key scratched. Apparently the Buffets from 38,000 through 41,000 were designed with a lower joint a bit too large. This created a problem with clarinetists playing the instrument in tune and Buffet was losing business. Buffet brought in Hans Moenig who some how corrected the faults and these instruments were relabeled as an Academy model and sold as a student model.
International	German made.
S-1	1970s. R-13 with a inverse taper barrel for a slightly brighter sound. Recognizable by the S1 in a diamond below the Buffet emblem.
Limite	A store marketed brand (Brooke Mays, Caldwell Music of the US) of the E-11 with a cheaper plastic thumbrest, soft sided case, silver plated keys. Recognizable by "Limite" in script below the Buffet emblem.
Olds Opera & Linton	supposed R-13 stencils (or Master Models) from the 1960s and 1970s. BUT since this really can't be proven they really don't sell for much.
Jazz Festival
Buffet Elite	Manufactured from the 1980s through 2002. Thin wall body made of a premium grenadilla. The reinforcing rings were made of black polycarbonate fiber. It was supposedly designed for "chamber" settings and not orchestra or concert band setting
B12 (brushed)	Very lightweight brushed plastic, great for beginners. Made in West Germany and the quality is unmatched for a student instrument. Excellent keywork, fit and finish.
B12 (polished)
Evette	predecessor to the B12 - separate throat key posts, triangular trill key guide an a large Evette emblem on a plastic body


1825-1885	no records
1885	1A-408A
1886	409A-999A
1886	A1 - A886
1887	A887-A999 B1 - B999 1B - 417B
1888	498B-999B 1C - 999C C1 - C300
1889	C301-C999 D1 - D999 1K5211D-348D
1890	349D - 999D E1 - E999 1E - 316E
1891	317E - 999E F1 -F999 1 F-190F
1892	191F - 999F G1 - G999 1G - 58G
1893	59G - 999G H1 - H999 1H -1 84H
1894	185H - 999H I1 - I665
1895	I666 - I999 1I - 999I J1 - J617
1896	J618 - J999 1J - 999J K1 - K514
1897	K515 - K999 1 K - 999K L1 - L561
1898	L562 - L999 1L - 999L M1 - M590
1899	M591 - M999 1M - 999M N1 - N440
1900	N441 - N999 1N - 999N O1 - O521
1901	O522 - O999 1O - 999O P1 - P999 1P - 374P
1902	375P - 999P R1 - R999 1R - 404R
1903	405R - 999R S1 - S999 1S - 999S T1 - T40
1904	T41 - T999 621T - 999T U1 - U999 1U - 81U
1905	82U - 999U V1 - V999 1V - 751V
1906	752V - 999V X1 - X999 1X - 999X Y1 - Y840
1907	Y841 - Y999 1Y - 999Y Z1 - Z999 1Z - 812Z
1908	813Z - 999Z 1A2 - 1A999 2A1-999A1 1B1 - 1B999 B21 - 60B1

1913	1H501-1H999 2H1 - 999H1 1I2 - 1I999 2I1 - 413I1
1914	414I1 - 999I1 41J2 - 1J999 2J1 - 224J1
1915	225J1 - 999J1 1K2 - 1K341
1916	1K342-1K999 2K1 - 460K1
1917	461K1-999K1 1K2 -1K521
1918	1K522-1K999 2L1 - 661L1
1919	662L1 -999L1 1M2 - 1M800
1920	1M801-1M999 2M1 - 999M1 11N2 - 1N515	pic courtesy of Junkdude.com Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4 Picture 5 Picture 6 Picture 7
1921	1N516 -1N999 2N1 - 999N1 1O2 - 1O193
1922	1O194 -1O999 2O1 - 692O1
1923	693O1 -999O1 1P2 - 1P999 2P1 - 536P1
1924	537P1 - 999P1 1R2 -1R999 1R1 - 226R1
1925	227R1 - 999R1 1S2 -1S876
1926	1S877 - 1S999 2S1 - 999S1 1T2 - 1T508
1927	1T509 - 1T542
1928	1 - 2500
1929	2501 - 4999
1930	5000 - 7499
1931	7500 - 9999
1932	10000 - 12500
1933	12501 - 15000
1934	15001 -18000
1935	18001-20000
1936	20001 - 22000	pics courtesy Junkdude.com picture 1 picture 2 picture 3 picture 4 picture 5
1937	22001 - 24000
1938	24001 - 26000
1939	26001 - 27000
1945	27001 - 28000
1945 -1957	about 3000 per year	1955 - official production of the R-13
1958	58835 - 59143
1959	59144 - 62457
1960	62458 - 65956
1961	65957 - 68717
1962	69718 - 75319
1963	75320 - 78093
	Apparently the most wanted Buffets are from the range 83k to 200k (1965 to 1979)
1964 to 1966	78094 - 93203
1967	93204 - 99331
1968	99332 -105617
1969	105618-114416
1970	111417-117747
1971	117748-126209
1972	126210-133903
1973	133904-143517
1974	143518-153323
1975	153324-163567
1976	163568-173826
1977	173827-183901
1978	183902-191872
1979	191873-201531
1980	201532-210652
1981	210653-221260
1982	221261-234695
1983	234696-250371
1984	250372-266396
1985	266397-277482
1986	277483-292267
1987	292268-302623
1988	302624-312699
1989	312700-324769
1990	324770-	Buffet Jazz Festival 333xxx

Between 1968 and 1974 Buffet also made the Super Dynaction Bb clarinet. Few of these are known in existance though they seem to have a low demand due to their jazz heritage.

Evette Master models with the cutout under the RH crow feet are the identified R-13 rejects.

Approximately 1990 Buffet changed their lineup.

Pre-1990

Pro to Beginner: R13 (Pro) - C12 (Intermediate) - E45 (Intermediate) - E11 (Beginner) - B12 (Beginner)

Post 1990

Pro to Begginer: R13 (Pro) - E13 (Intermediate) & C12 (conservatory intermediate) - E12 (Intermediate) - E11 (Beg) - B12 (Beg)

C-13 (aka International) is the equivalent to an E-11 but it was manufactured as a "private brand" for another US company

Top of Page

Buffet E-13 Clarinets

Serial number	Year of make	Notes, pics
10109-16377	1961-1966
16378-23007	1966-1969
23008-29623	1969-1973
29624-32167	1973-1975
32168-42803	1975-1977
42804-49092	1977-1979
49093-56536	1979-1981
56537-62684	1981-1983
62685-70191	1983-1987

Buffet Harmony Clarinets

Serial number	Year of make	Notes, pics
19506-19578	1950
19579-19638	1951
19639-19680	1952
19681-19781	1953
19782-19965	1954
19966-20091	1955
20092-20154	1956
20155-20237	1958
20238-20401	1959
20402-20502	1960
20503-20511	1961
20512-20692	1962
20693-20775	1963
20776-20864	1964
20855-20911	1965
20912-21054	1966
21055-21209	1967
21210-21358	1968
21359-21432	1969
21433-21500	1970
21501-21587	1971
21558-21627	1972
21628-21702	1973
21703-21796	1974
21797-21953	1975
21954-21999	1976
22000-22114	1977
22115-22233	1978
22234-22350	1979
22351-22425	1980
22462-22535	1981
22536-22692	1982
22693-22859	1983
22860-23059	1984
23060-23274	1985
23275-23462	1986
23463-23619	1987
23620-23875	1988
23876-24190	1989
24191-24506	1990
24509-25221	1991
25222-26077	1992
26078-26734	1993

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Evette-Schaeffer

E-S information provided by Rich Holmes

"Plastic Evette became the B12.

Wooden Evette became the E11.

Evette Master Model became the E12.

Evette & Schaeffer became the E13.

Evette and Schaeffer Master Model is supposedly an R13 with cosmetic flaws (this one is debateable as Buffet won`t give much info on this - some say it is an acceptional sounding E13 - either way it`s a good clarinet)"

Evette-Schaeffer Master Model

From other discussion it appears the story about cosmetically flawed R13s being sold as E&S Master Models is incorrect -- and that cosmetically flawed R13s have been sold as Buffet Academy models.

Other recommendations include that some Master Models are R-13 (as are Olds Opera's). But during what part of the R13 process were they declared not fit for R13s? This could occur any time in the R13 process. Therefore, theoretically a Master Model could be from the same wood selection only of an R13 all the way to the end of production after some visual flaws are found. So, theoretically, a Master Model could be an R13 in all ways except for a few visual flaws OR could only be from the wood selection of an R13, and all other things potentially different.

Evette-Schaeffer Master Models range from K5000 to K11000 which corresponds to 1953 to approx 1961. These can be considered the best as they also correspond to the R-13 introduction.

1960 Buffet Brochure about the E&S Master Model: "Instruments that embody considerable hand craftsmanship, as do all the Buffet products, will vary slightly from instrument to instrument. Those Evette & Schaeffer clarinets that surpass the superb quality characteristic of al E&S instruments, are set aside to comprise the ME-13 Master Model Evette & Schaeffer clarinets." The 1968 price list for an "E&S E13" clarinet is $250 and for the E&S Master Model ME-13 is $299. The E13 would finally get a Buffet logo in the 1980s

The words "Master Model" may be above or below the logo; Upper and/or lower joint and/or bell

Evette Master Model

The words "Master Model" may be above or below the logo

No letters

Serial	Date	Source	Markings	Case and notes
2027		eBay 9/06	On bell and top joint: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval. "Modele Buffet-Crampon" below oval.	Rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, w/ lift clasps, holding barrel separate (maybe room for 2nd barrel or reed case), rear compartment.
56xx		eBay 9/06	Modele Buffet-Crampon.	Rounded rectangular case, black w/ blue lining, w/ lift clasps, holding barrel separate, L side compartment.

A series

Serial  Date  Source  Markings  Case and notes
A series  "early-mid thirties based on its keywork"  [1]   ?   ?  
A1568  1930s?  [2]   ?   ?

[edit]B series
Serial  Date  Source  Markings  Case and notes  
B series  "From what I've read (and the dating of older E&S clarinets is difficult) I think the B series is from the 1940's or early 1950's (?)."  [3]  --  --  
B388   ?  [4]  "The Evette-Schaeffer name is inside the upper arc of an engraved oval, with Paris in the center and France on the bottom of the oval. Underneath the oval is Modele Buffet-Crampon."   ?  
B0770   ?  [5]   ?  "... colored a rusted brown and has rounded edges with the metal stamp of Buffet on it. It has two locking [button] latches. ... The inside of the case is a burgundy colored velvet with an area at the back of the case that holds extras such as the swab, lyre, etc. (Just one long open area across the back). There is also one small section that measures about 1x2 inches where the reed case goes. "  
B1074  1930s-1940s Germany*  [6]  "the bell of my instrument says, 'Made in France'."   ?  
B1814   ?  [7]   ?   ?  
B1273   ?  eBay 9/06  On bell: "Evette / Schaeffer" [punctuation unclear] / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet-Crampon" below oval.  Rounded rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, holding barrel separate (maybe room for 2nd barrel or reed case), rear compartment.  
B1497  1950s?  [8]   ?   ?  
B2542   ?  [9]  Eveette&Schaeffer, Paris, France. Modele Buffet-Cranpon.   ?  
B29xx   ?  eBay 9/06   ?   ?  
B4477  1952 (June 1952 per B&H)  [10]   ?   ?  
B5604   ?  eBay 9/06   ?   ?  
B6816   ?  eBay 9/06   ?   ?  
B7129   ?  eBay 9/06  On barrel: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval. "Made in France" above oval. "Modele Buffet-Crampon" below oval.  Rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, w/ lift? clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
B7382   ?  [11]  "Modele Buffet Crampon Made in France"  Velvet lined-orange/brown Leather Case  
B7899  pre 1956 (sold on 8 Aug 1956)  eBay 9/06   ?  Rounded rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, w/ spring clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
B8193   ?  [12]  Modele Buffet-Crampon.   ?

D Series

D33xxx - 1973

K series

Serial  Date  Source  Markings  Case and notes  
K series  "The last series was the K-series. It began around 1953 according to the Boosey & Hawkes web site."  [13]  --  --

"Buffet started making K series around 1930 and continued until they became E-13."  [14]  --  --  
K81  ~1941*  eBay 9/06  "The trade mark says below the Evette & Schaeffer 'modele buffet-crampon'".  Bell end case, black w/ red lining, w/ button slide clasps and center lock, holding barrel on top joint, round cork grease RR, reed case LC.  
K179  1930?  [15]   ?   ?  
K4xx  1942 "The seller had an apparent sales receipt for the instrument dated 1942."  [16]   ?  [I suspect this is actually K512, see below]  
K512  1943 "There was a bill of sale with the instrument dated early 1943 that appeared to belong to the instrument."  [17]   ?   ?  
K569   ?  eBay 9/06  "All 5 pieces are marked with 'Evette & Schaeffer Paris France Modele Buffet-Crampton'."  Bell end case, black w/ purple lining, w/ spring clasps.  
K23xx   ?  [18]  "Evette & Schaeffer Paris, France Modele Buffet Crampon Made in France"   ?  
K24xx  "This was my clarinet that was purchased new for me. I think it was purchased about 1954."  J. Martin, R. Holmes (eBay 8/06)  On all parts: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet-Crampon" below oval, "Made in France" well below oval.  Bell end case, black w/ purple lining, w/ spring clasps, holding barrel separate, room for reed case (probably), flat cork grease RR.  
K4000  1952 -- according to B&H site in 2002 -- earliest K series serial number available from that site  [19]   ?   ?  
A K4xxx on purchased eBay had identical keywork to a 1955 R-13.
K5077  1953 "The Buffet site lists K5077 as built in 1953"  [20]  [Master Model]   ?  
K55xx  1960s  eBay 9/06  On bell: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet-Crampon" / "Made in France" / "Master-Model" below oval.  No case.  
K6285   ?  eBay 9/06  On top joint: oval (unclear), "Made in France" / "Master-Model" below oval.  Brown lining, holding barrel separate, front and side compartments.  
K67xx   ?  eBay 9/06  [Master Model]   ?  
K7631   ?  [21]  Evette & Schaeffer, "Master Model" above oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.   ?  
K8222  "I've seen a questionably source that said s/n K8222 sold new in 1958."  [22]   ?   ?  
K9193   ?  eBay 9/06  "Master Model" above oval, "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.  Rectangular case, black w/ blue lining, w/ spring clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
K10452   ?  eBay 9/06  On all pieces: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.  Rounded rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, holding barrel separate, reed case, rear compartment.  
K10511   ?  [23]  [Master Model]   ?  
K10593   ?  [24]  [not Master Model]   ?  
K124xx   ?  eBay 9/06  Modele Buffet-Crampon.  Rounded rectangular case, brown w/ brown lining, holding barrel separate (maybe room for 2nd barrel or reed case), rear compartment.  
K135xx   ?  [25]  [not Master Model]   ?  
K15901   ?  eBay 9/06  On bottom joint: "Master Model" above oval, ? in oval. "The instrument has the factory markings Buffet Crampone & Co Paris and Evette & Schaeffer along with the words Master Model on both large pieces of the clarinets body."   ?  
K16121  1965  [26]   ?   ?  
K18xxx  1968  [27]  [Master Model]   ?  
K187xx   ?  eBay 4/06 (L. Peters)  [not Master Model]  Black rounded? rectangular.  
K227xx   ?  [28]  [Master Model]   ?  
K230xx  pre 1976 "I have owned this clarinet for over 30 years" (in 2006)  eBay 9/06 (& seller response to question)  "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.  Rectangular case, black w/ blue lining, w/ spring clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
K23367   ?  [29]   ?   ?  
K25860   ?  eBay 9/06  On top joint: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.  Rounded rectangular case, black w/ blue lining, w/ spring clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
K28717   ?  eBay 9/06  "ALL PIECES ARE STAMPED MADE BY BUFFET EVETTE &SCHAEFFER"  Rectangular case, black w/ black lining, w/ lift clasps, holding barrel separate, side compartment.  
K31536   ?  [30]   ?  Rectangular case, black? w/ red lining, lift clasps, L side compartment.  
K33487  ~1975  [31]   ?   ?  
K351xx  1960s  eBay 9/06  On barrel: Lyre above oval, "Buffet" / "Crampon & Cie" / "A Paris" in oval, script "R"? / "Made in France" below oval. On top joint and bell: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.  Rectangular case, black w/ blue lining, w/ lift clasps, holding barrel separate, room for 2nd barrel or reed case, rear compartment.  
K35339  around 1976 (from s/n)  eBay 9/06   ?  Rectangular case, brown leather with red/pink lining, turn clasps on side, holding barrel separate, L and F compartments.  
K35468  1976 (from s/n)  eBay 9/06  On barrel: "Evette & Schaeffer" / "Paris" / "France" in oval, "Modele Buffet Crampon" below oval.   ?  
K444xx   ?  eBay 9/06  Made by Buffet-Crampon.  
K44445  1978  [32]   ?   ?  
* Note that Buffet serial number list shows no Buffet production 1940-1944 -- it seems particularly improbable that Buffet would have built clarinets in Germany in the "1930s-1940s". 
Retrieved from "http://editthis.info/clarinet_wiki/Evette_and_Schaeffer_serial_numbers"

Couesnon

Monopole - professional line of clarinets (and saxophones, trumpets, etc)


1952	189xx
1958	26000
1960	28564
1961/2	30595
1962	31430
1970	34823

Thanks to Chris J for the Couesnon information and pictures

Peter Eaton Clarinets

Peter Eaton clarinets are fairly new to the marketplace (compared to Selmer, Buffet & Leblanc)

http://www.eatonclarinets.freeserve.co.uk/

International - small bore

2006 S586

Elite - large bore - .6045" entry .5985 bottom of top joint 2007 model

Apparently (unconfirmed) Eaton clarinets are a rendition of the Boosey & Hawkes 1010 clarinets, but improved all around. Keywork molds apparently from B&H. The B&H Symphony model is nearly identical to the Eaton clarinets.

Selmer (London)

The following is used with permission from Mr. Don Mackrill and his fine website. Check it out sometimes, full of information and history.

http://www.donmack.com/SelmerSaxophones/SelmerLondon.htm

The Story of HENRI SELMER Co London

An Englishman called Ben Davis was demobbed from the British Army in 1919, after the First World War, just when Dixieland jazz and dance music was becoming popular in the UK. being fascinated by the new sounds, Ben taught himself to play the saxaphone. He played with many of the big bands in the country, and finally formed his own.

Ben was a man of considerable drive and ambition,seeing further potential on the business side of the music Instustry and following a meeting with Henri Selmer in 1928, Ben established the Selmer Company in London, at No 12 Moor Street . The first premises were soon outgrown by 1933, when the business was moved to 114-116, Charing Cross Rd.in the Centre of London which was there head Office and Showroom until the 70's.The company's greatest period of expansion was from 1934 to the start of World War II in 1939. By then Selmer was the biggest company in the British musical instrument industry. After the war, Ben's brother Lew Davis, who was a professional trombonist, joined the company. They opened another shop in Charring Cross Road run by Lew Davis specializing in Brass and woodwind instruments.

The Selmer company remained and established its sucessful business at the Charring Cross Road address which was in the centre of London untill the early 70's.

Selmer London were major importers of Brass and wind instruments. Apart from being the exclusive UK Distributor for Selmer Paris , they had there own brand names, which were very successful .Such Student Lines as ,Console and Sterling Clarinets,Flutes and Oboes, Gold Seal Flutes ."Karl Meyer "and "Pennsylvania Student Saxophones" followed later by the "Super Pennsylvania " which was made by Yanagisawa in Japan and was marketed as a step up horn.

During the 60's Selmer went into manaufacturing amplification and importing famous names such as Hofner ,Gibson,Fender Guitars and distributing their own brands like the "Futurama" guitar made in the Czech Republic,all with great success. In the early 60's Selmer were the main agents for the US made Lowry organs.

In 1972 Selmer moved their operation to Woolpack Lane in Braintree Essex. I remember at the time the Selmer Mk6 production had ceased and my patrtner L:aurie Naiff and I bought the remaining stocks they had in their warehouse a total of 45 saxes some in silver some in two tone, some F# keys,some had low A bells. When the Mark VII's eventually became available in London ,they were a hard to sell product. The main complaint was the the left hand little finger cluster, it seemed that the instrument was designed for a Gorrila ,compared with the comfortable Six. In 1974 I was at a trade show in Chicago and flew into New York for the Newport Jazz Festival, I got very friendly with the horn players in the Gillespie Band who were appearing at the Buddy Rich club,we met every night before the show for a drink, then I would have a meal and watch the the Band for the rest of the night. I mentioned that I had Mark VII alto's and Tenor's in my Take Five London store they were eager to see them ,so I flew them over for them to give them a try.They were not impressed ,in the end I sold them to Rod Baltimore on 48th Street. Rod thought they were great instruments.

At that time in Rod's store he had one of these Yanagisawa Soprano Saxophones , in London we had never heard of them. At the time they were very popular with the American pro players. I had a closer look at one and reconised it as the "Selmer Super Pennsylvania" that we were selling back in London as a step up instrument from the Selmer "Karl Meyer" and the Selmer "Pennsylvania "saxes. The same sax was also turning up with different names from places like South Africa.

During this time (1974) the new Mk7 was being introduced into the UK , they were only producing Alto's and Tenor's which the Soprano market was left open. This was a major coup for Yanagisawa being able to market under their own name and put them their name on the map.

During this same period a very similar situation help Yamaha .The Selmer Mk7 not being that easily accepted by the profession ( mainly for the Gorrila like fingering) left the market open in the UK in which Yamaha took advantage and got in with their model 62 thanks to the expertise of Bill Lewington the Yamaha importer at the time.

Selmer London was evetually sold to Norlin USA in the 80's

Ben Davis retired to the south of France and lived well into his late nineties . In the UK he left a great legacy and a hard act to follow. HENRI SELMER COMPANY UK

selmer console steel ebonite.
serial w01090

Selmer(USA)

Selmer USA information is sketchy at best. Please contribute information. If anyone has any information they wish to share about any item on or not on this page please contact Steve

Selmer USA has manufactured various clarinets under the Signet brand since about 1945. These have almost always been inferior to the Selmer-Paris models, but during WWII, Paris clarinets were, for obvious reasons, not available here

The Selmer USA serial numbers for the forties, in the list that I have, show a gap between 30,000 (10/15/40) and 33,000 (6/1/47) presumably because of the war.

Selmer USA began making (or selling) Manhatten metal clarinets and Manhatten wood clarinets in the 1920s and/or 1930s.

Bundy

Wood Bundys started production in 1941.

Plastic Bundys started production in 1948.
With World War II cutting off the import of Selmer Paris instruments George Bundy started the line of of Bundy student instruments then added the Signet intermediate line. But some of the first Bundy wood clarinets were apparently Selmer Paris instruments in disguise. So production of Bundy clarinets would have started before their supply was cut off (or after the war ?).

Signet Specials

Signet Specials started production in 1941 or 1946. The early Signet Specials has the insignia on the barrel as well as on the other pieces. The barrel insignia was stopped around 1955. The early Signet Specials had a guide for the top trill key which was gone in 1955 but reappeared in 1960. In 1955 the tan leather cases were introduced but the inside arrangement and outside label was different. The badge on the 1960 case had Selmer in red letters. By the late 1960's the case was black plastic or fiberglass and had Signet in a circle. Sometime in the mid 1960's the Mazzeo Signet Special models (see the brochures below) were produced along with the regular model with the serial numbers being the same series as the regular model.

Selmer Mazzeo Clarinet Article
Mazzeo Brochure #1
Mazzeo Brochure #2

Mazzeo Mechanisms
The Mazzeo mechanism on the Signet allows the player to switch between "Mazzeo" mode and regular Boehm. The first picture has a Bundy Mazzeo (on the bottom) and a Signet Mazzeo (on the top)

The Signet mechanism (left) shows it in the Mazzeo position. It has a knurled end "plunger" mechanism to turn the Mazzeo system on/off. To dsconnect you simply push the mechanism in. To reconnect you pull it out.

Mazzeo information, brochures and pictures provided by S. Page, UK

Signet Special 100 evolved from the Signet Special sometime in the 1970s with the serial number list continuing as before. Around this time the Signet Resonite was also produced.

Selmer Soloist

The Soloist possible had their own set of serial numbers starting possible in the 1950s.

Selmer USA supposedly was not making clarinets from 1944 through 1946

Approximate Serial Number list

Signet special serial numbers
Looks like they must have started at end of WWII (1946,7 ?) or possibly 1941

3500 initial annual production /200 = 17/working day or about 2/hr

7000s
11863
25815
26000 ~ 1955 (John O's is 26754) no guide on highest trill key
30354 – case and clarinet still look like ’55 model
33608 - no guide on highest trill key, puchased new, per owner 1958
40403 - bought used in 1962
41297 – Seller thinks 1965 purchase
42984 - DEC 1960 ? 17000 in 5 years (~ 3400/yr) (3300/yr for 13 years?)
48863 – case etc. like ‘70s (no metal on center tenon ? replaced?)
57918 – bought in 1968, per original owner
62135 - bought in 1968, per original owner
64176 - Signet Special Mazzeo
65000 ~ 1967 (3200/yr for 20 years?)
71436 – bought Dec. 9, 1967 per receipt
72216 Aug 1969 30000 in 9 years (~ 3300/yr) (72000 in 22 years? 3100/yr)
77344 ?
803XX - bought new in 1970 per owner
81976
84273 Mazzeo that fairly knowledgeable seller claims was made in 1965 (more likely 1975)
85703 (100) seller says 1975 (but also claims age of 35 years making it 1969)
90276 (100) seller says 1973
111610 – seller says approx 1976
151462 ~1980 74000 in 11 years (~ 6700/yr) (about 4/hour) 125000 in 25 years ~ 5000/yr (151000 in 33 years? 4000 + /year?)
177773 ?
194936?
256153 ?

Soloist serial nos

Looks like they have own set of numbers

13028 bought early in 1960/per paperwork
16228 ? (has features of specials above say 35000)
203xx 1953?
23824
25846 purch 4/13/76 w/paperwork
27882?
37795 –owner told suzie ray it was purchased new in 1994
100 serial nos: are these a separate series or are specials, soloist, and 100s intermingled ? Plastic Signets?
85703 seller says 1975
one seller says purchased in 1973
90276 ?
120912 Sellers husband says new in ‘75
131482
146587
164644
180052 - 1979 (probably wrong)
203120
216891
235888 (bought used in 1994)
246815
247832 about 1995
254954
260037 (seller claims 1999)Looks like these things may sit around music stores for years.
263889 seller says 1997 (sounds reliable) (264000 in 50 years? ~ 5300/yr?) possible
266510 seller says 93, 94
271746

Thanks to John O. for his contribution to Selmer USA information

Selmer USA Emblems
Selmer Signet Soloist (top of the line Selmer USA) – was (is) supposedly Selmer Paris body & keys. Modern ones may not be, unconfirmed information. Good value instrument. Quality close to a Noblet 45. - silver plated keys at least 1991 to metal tenon joints top and bottom of upper and lower stack. May be constructed from Selmer Paris body tubes.
Selmer Signet Special (2nd from Selmer USA) - metal tenon joints upper and lower stacks - Older ones may have metal tenon only on the lower joint to the bell	(left from ebay)
Selmer Signet 100 (3rd from Selmer USA) Visually identifiable by no metal tenons on the upper joint (unless repaired) and a metal tenon on the lower joint for the bell.	(from Cindy Chastain)

Selmer (Paris) Clarinets

Professional clarinets since 1885 The Series: is the letter in the serial number itself and not the model Series.
Example: Selmer, Series 10S, #B0478 is a B Series made in 1980.
We have no information on Selmer clarinets made before the L Series

Selmer Paris clarinets in various years through the 1980s had markings similar to "Sole Agents, US & Can Selmer New York - Elkhart". Clarinets with markings similar to these can be identified as clarinets exported to the United States. European and Canadian Selmer clarinets had no markings.

Harmony and Metal clarinets were serialized separately until at least 1930. By the N series all their instruments are serialed together. Later Metal clarinets had and adjustable barrel with a highly grooved section, earlier models where not adjustable.
Date	Soprano	Harmony	Metal
1/1/19 (14)	1000
1/1/20 (15)	2000
1/1/21 (16)	3000
1/1/22 (17)	4000	300
1/1/23 (18)	5000	(300)
1/1/24 (19)	6000 Old Emblem 65xx
1/1/25 (20)	7000
1/1/26 (21)	8000
1/1/27 (22)	9000	1000
1/1/28 (23)	K1000
1/1/29 (24)	K2000	2000
1/1/30 (25)	K3500 (K3000)
1/1/31 (26)	K5000 (K4200)
1/1/27	K5600
1/1/28	K7000		1000
1/1/29	K8400		sn1906 courtesy of Junkdude.com Pic # 1 Pic # 2 Pic # 3 Pic # 4 Pic # 6 Pic # 7
1/1/30	K9800	900	2000
1/1/31	L1000	Later Metal clarinets had an adjustable barrel with a highly grooved section, earlier models where not adjustable. -->	Bb 23xx & A 29xx with adjustable barrel Pic # 1 Pic # 2 Pic # 3 Pic # 4 Pic # 5
1/1/32	L2100		3000
1/1/33	L3250
1/1/34	L4300		4000
1/1/35	L5500
1/1/36	L6600		5000

RI - Radio Improved started around K7000
BT - Balanced Tone started around L5000

The modern Selmer emblem starts in 1926, somewhere around K4500. There was also an earlier emblem, up to somewhere in the 4000's, that has a winged globe over the H SELMER A PARIS oval. I have heard that the winged-globe emblem indicates the era when Henri Selmer himself still tested and finished the clarinets but that's purely anecdotal, there's no reason to assume it's true.

The RI model begins around K7000, the BT around L5000. The articulated G# was not particular to the M-series, it appears in some horns of every model up to even the 10S.

K Foster

Year of make	Serial number	Emblems (click on pic to see larger view)
1885 to 1926 1904 - clarinet launched at the Saint Louis / USA Exhibition	no records
1/1/1927	#400	150x Pic1 Pic2 Pic3 Pic4 Pic5 Pic6
1/1/1929	#3070	sn#531x
1/1/1931	#9999
L Series:
12/1/1931	L1000
1932	L2100
1933	L3250
1934	L4300
1935	L5500
1936	L6600
1937	L7750
1938	L8800
1939	L9900
M Series - Emblem Change
2/1/39	M1000	Customers M series had old Emblem - but according to henri-selmer.com it was changed in 1926
1940	M2400	New Selmer Emblem
1944	M3400
1945 Selmer 55 1945 only (?)	M6000	Emblem of sn # M70xx Below- M 61xx. This shows the large register nut associated with 55s. Also, inside it shows the thread and nut protruding into the bore.
1946	M8000
N Series - Later N series were also known as BT - Balanced Tone - both identifiable by a large domed speaker bush (the body octave hole) with two holes to remove it, and a removeable speaker tube.
10/1/46	N100
2/1/47	N1000
1948	N2800
1949	N4900	Partial Boehm N54xx
1950	N6600
1951	N8100
P Series - Centered Tone series - identifiable by a large hexagonal speaker bush (the body octave hole). Benny Goodman made these instruments famous.
1952	P1200	P1549 - Partial Boehm
1953	P4200
1954	P7400
Q Series:
1955	Q1100
1956	Q4350
1957	Q7290

R Series:
1958	R1200
1959 - Mazzeo system (more information)	R6100	Selmer Mazzeo Clarinet Article Mazzeo Brochure #1 Mazzeo Brochure #2

S Series - 1960 - Series 9 started production (large diameter tone holes with no undercutting) and 9*
1960	S1150	Selmer 9* emblem
1961	S4160
1962	S7390
T Series:
1963	T1400
1964	T5800

U Series:
1965	U1100
1966	U5700

V Series:
1967	V1000
1968	V4800	v789x Series 10 Bb - Bb & A
1969	V7900	v822x Series 10 A Bb & A

W Series:
1970	W1700
1971 - Series 10 is launched (per Selmer)	W5900

X Series:
1972	X1500
1973	X6400

Y Series:
1974	Y1200
1975	Y6300

Z Series:
1976	Z1100
1977 - model 10 SII is launched	Z5200

A Series:
1978	A1000

B Series:
1980 & 1981
1984 - Recital series launches

9* - reduced some tone hole diameters and introduced undercutting and a smaller bore. 10 move towards a polycylindrical bore. 10G - work with Anthony Gigliotti to mimic the Buffet design.

During the M series there are two distinct versions of them, also during that timeframe was an emblem change. On all the M Series the G# was located for the LH pinky but also for the RH ring finger. This design put the G# tone hole on the lower body, and also had the top lower body tonehole go through the upper body joint and cork. During this timeframe the emblem changed from a round oval to the current circular leaf design.

Selmer Emblems
Old Selmer Emblem Transition during the M series Buffet like The saxophone emblem was changed in circa 1926. The Clarinet emblem was changed in the 1940s
New Emblem Selmer (to current) Transition during the M Series


Selmer 10G "G" stands for Gigliotti, a principal clarinetist in the Philadelphia Symphony
Selmer 10S Followed the 10G in production

Top of Page

Leblanc / Noblet / Normandy Clarinets History

Old Contact Info

New Contact Info (2005)

Founded by D. Noblet of France in 1750
Celebrating their 250th anniversary this year

G. Leblanc Corp. has never released a serial number list.
They may give you the information if you contact them.

G. Leblanc Corporation
7001 Leblanc Boulevard
P.O. Box 1415
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141-1415 USA

Telephone: (414) 658-1644

Fax: (414) 658-2824

Conn-Selmer, Inc.
600 Industrial Parkway
P.O. Box 310
Elkhart, Indiana 46515 USA

Telephone: (800) 348-7426

Conn-Selmer bought GLeblanc USA corporation in 2005. They do not own Yanigasawa (they use Leblanc as a USA distributor. Nor do they own Leblanc Paris which also used them as a builder/distributor).

Leblanc/Noblet History (taken from gleblanc.com before the Conn-Selmer buyout - just in case it gets removed)

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, Léon 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, Léon, 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 Léon 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, Léon 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 Léon 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 président 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 Léon 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 Léon 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 Léon 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.

Approximately 1978 Leblanc bought out Normandy corporation and incorporated them as a beginner line with Noblet and Leblanc clarinets.

Keywork

Leblanc had a major keywork change from "standard" keywork to the sculpted "bridged" keywork.

Vintage Keywork

Buffet, Noblet, etc like. RH top stack side keys angle off from the levers.

Years: ???? to ????

Modern Keywork

Tone holes inline. Keywork has "bridged" sections that raise above the other key toneholes

Years: ???? to ????

Current Keywork

Leblanc Emblems:

LeBlanc Emblem #1

"LEBLANC" in block letters.

"G" above Leblanc in same areas

Years: ???? to ????

LeBlanc Emblem #2

"G.LEBLANC" follows the contour of the upper area.

No separate "G"

Years: ???? to ????

Leblanc Emblem #3

"G" separated from name area

"LEBLANC follows contour of area

Years: ???? to ????

Leblanc Dynamic

Dynamic in script on top

Leblanc emblem similar to #3

Leblanc LL Paris
sn # 275xx

PDF Brochure 1
PDF Brochure 2
PDF Brochure 3
PDF Brochure 4

LeBlanc L7
Model Evolution:
L7
L70 (model 1170)
L27 (reverse cone to cylinder of 14.75mm)
L200 (reverse cone to 14.6mm)
L300 LX (reverse cone)
LX2000 (reverse cone)
L7

L200

Leblanc Classic
SN235xx made before 1960
Leblanc Classic

Leblanc Classic II

Leblanc Symphonie II
- small bore comparable to Buffet.
Model Evolution
Symphonie Model - 1950 (raw nickel silver)
Symphonie - 1955-56 (silver plated keys)
Symphonie II -
Classic - late 1950's
Classic II (nickle plated keys)
Symphonie 3 - mid 1960s (raw nickel silver keys)
Symphonie IV
Classic & Classic II - Leblanc reintroduced the Symphonie in the late 1950's as the Classic line but then dropped it and reintroduced the Symphonie.
Leblanc Symphonie Model (from eBay)

Leblanc Symphonie II

Symphonie 3

Model 176 - approx 1954 vintage "176" stamped above the Leblanc emblem on top section

Modern Leblanc Symphonie VII

Leblanc - Stubbins like mechanism for Bb. Patented in 1933

Serial Number Log for Leblanc Clarinets

L27 / L200 / L 300 / 1167 (L7) / 1189 / 1190 / 1276 / 1610 / 1611 & 1612 models Leblanc 340

Bass Models # 328 / 330 / 400 / 415 / 417 / 425 / 430 Leblanc France Clarinets

Leblanc 342 Leblanc 350

L27 / L200 / L 300 / 1167 / 1189 / 1190 / 1276 / 1610 / 1611 & 1612 models

1964 16000 21999

1965 22000 22999

1966 23000 25999

1967 26000 27499

1968 27500 30315

1969 30316 32271

1970 32272 1176/LL 32860 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

1985 57481

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 Bass Clarinets
Models # 328 / 330 / 400 / 415 / 417 / 425 / 430

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 1400

1983 14001 14219

1984 14220 14844

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 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.

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

LeBlanc Noblet clarinets Emblems

LeBlanc Noblet clarinets Emblems
Noblet buffet-like emblem at least since 1940's to 1962 SN# 267C Known as Model 40. Some model 40's had ebonite bells and those ones were later known as Model 27s after the emblem change. Some 27s may also have had ebonite barrels.
Noblet 40 Square emblem at least since 1973 to 1990?
Noblet 40 new ugly emblem at least since 1990? to current
Noblet 45 - ND at the top of the Emblem at least since 1962 to 1990? SN#46xxx
Noblet 45 Artist Not sure on years but keywork is inline, scupted like Leblanc but sheet metal trill key guide. Noblet emblem has the double diamond, thus a newer emblem.
Noblet 45 - double diamond emblem. Only an "N" inset in a small diamond at the top of the Diamond emblem 1990 ? - current SN # 415A
Early Noblet 40 1960's Brochure - 1 Early Noblet 40 1960's Brochure - 1 Receipt from early Noblet 40

Serial Number Log for Noblet 27, 40 and 45
Year	First Model of Year	Last Model of Year
1830	A beautiful example of a Noblet Box Clarinet.
1920's - 1930's metal	Metal Noblet SN73xx
unknown years	4854D Noblet 40 (later known as 27)
1960	contains 18559

1964	38500	42999 42849 Normandy 10
1965	43000 53xxx N45 clarinet	55999
1966	56000	58399
1967	58400	66999
1968	67000	78999
1969	79000	91299
1970	91300	98700
1971	A101 7811 Noblet 45 A415 Noblet 45	A12417
1972	A11101	A16000
1973	A16228	A33700
1974	A33701	A44832
1975	A44833	A57320
1976	A57321	A66597
1977	A66598	A76349
1978	A76350	A87894
1979	A87895	A96499
1980	A95000	B10309
1981	B10310	B10700
1982	B10701	B25890
1983	B25891	B28146
1984	B28147	B45800
1985
1986

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

(Leblanc) Normandy clarinets (current student line known as Noblet 4)

Normandy used to be a separate brand before Leblanc bought them in 1978. I believe they were a closely cooperating company with Leblanc as the bodies seem to be very similar to the Noblets in dimensions including the tenon rings and certain era of keywork. Tonal-wise of the various vintages of Nomandy 4, 8s and 10s I have discerned very little tonal qualities differences. Though they were of various vintages, various conditions and various times; so little could be learned. Before the buyout Normandy had an entire line of Clarinets. Normandy (ebonite), Normandy 4, 8, 10, and 12. They also had "Special" models in which some may have had silver plated keys (a step up), others ebonite bells (a step down) and Buffet/Selmer type keywork. After the buyout I believe only Normandy 4s existed. Bores are identical to the Noblet 40/45 line; very good rich tone though thicker wood bell and tenons not as tight fitting the tone is slightly not as complex nor as spread. Normandy also had a 5 and 7 model. The Normandy 7 had the Buffet/Selmer type keywork (not inline trill keys but offset). The Normandy 5 had inline trill keys and a plastic barrel and bell. Since Selmer USA's purchase of GLeBlanc USA (primarily a distributor) the Normandy line seems to have been dropped. The Normandy 4 is now a Noblet 4. Overall, these are very good instruments for the money when properly set up. - Some Normandy Special sn 9541A had a stamp "Made by Noblet" at the very top of the top joint.
Normandy Resonite emblem
Early Normandy - SN # 1697. Only with a Normandy emblem and FRANCE underneath it. Probably the precursor to the Normandy 4 branding. Some early Normandy 4s had the 4 emblem on the lower joint only.
Normandy 4 emblem "4" in sheild The 4 is now a Noblet 4 intermediate clarinet sold by LeBlanc (3/2006) 906xx Normandy 4 (purchased in 1978)
Normandy 5 "5" below the Normandy emblem in a circle Keywork has inline trill keys. Plastic barrel and bell
Normandy 8 emblem "8" above shield similar to N10 model OR "8" in circle below Shield and Made in France
Normandy 10 emblem "10" above shield "France" is below the shield emblem
Normandy 12 "12" above the shield
Liberty Noblet (Normandy) Clarinets - In late 2005 the Music Group had a essay contest about band directors for "why your band director is the best". The winning school received a complete set of special branded instruments, they were branded "Liberty". This included Armstrong Flutes, Bach Trumpets, Noblet Clarinets, Bach Trombones, Selmer Alto and Tenor Saxophones. These are not professional instruments. These are not intermediate instruments, but student instruments. The Noblet clarinet is somewhat stripped down Noblet. The clarinet, model LCL-100 had a "retail" price list of $730	Link # 1 Link #2


Serial Number Log for Normandy 8, 10 & 4 (and probably the other models too)
1964	24000	35500
1965	35501	42000
1966	42001 (42849 N10)	47000
1967	47001	51500
1968	51501	55398
1969	57401	59750
1970	59751	53804
1971	53805	65499
1972	65500	69699
1973	69700	82363
1974	72364	74728
1975	74729	76007
1976	76008	78349
1977	78350	86946
1978	86947	91100
1979	91101	93648
1980	93649	96859
1981	96860	9760
1982	97761	98257
1983	98258	B26150
In the late 1980's Normandy changed the method of springs (cheaper) Instead of the normal needle spring they went to a coiled spring for the C#/G# key

Leblanc

Vito


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

SML (Marigaux, Lemaire and Strasser)

If anyone has any information they wish to share about any item on or not on this page please contact Steve Thanks. Steve

SML (Marigaux, Lemaire and Strasser) made three levels of clarinets - Professional with 5 stars, Intermediate with 4 stars and Student. There was also a model which only had "SML" without a model name; SML also had an entry level clarinet made of hard-rubber.

Post 1960 the student ones were made of plastic

SML also made Evette clarinets for Buffet and various other stencils such as Olds, Conn and Linton. Schriber also made Evette clarinets for Buffet

King - King distributed SML clarinets. All SML clarinets distributed by King had a crown on them. The word "King" was inscribed under the crown. King Marigaux, King Lemaire, and King Strasser.

Unfortunately many SMLs may also have no specific inscription and are only identifiable by specific keywork. In this case the octave key easily identifies a SML: Symphonie Artiste

King Lemaire emblem (from eBay)

an interesting article http://idrs.colorado.edu/Publications/DR/DR5.3/strasser.html

Malerne

The history of Malerne clarinets is sketchy at best, so the following information may be correct at one certain time or another. If you have any more accurate information please please contact Steve

Malerne has three distinct soprano clarinets. The "Professional" which had 4 stars, the "Intermediate" which had 3 stars, and the "Standard" model which had no stars and was considered the student model. Malerne (like SML) stenciled their clarinets and you can find Malernes as Conns, Olds and Linton and possibly others.

The Standard model apparently did not have an adjustment screw on the G#/A throat keys on the early ones. The Intermediate and Professional did (I assume all the time). The bore on the standard (on one measured instrument) was smaller at .577 than the Intermediate and Pro. Not many of these have passed through my hands and I have not kept any measure dimensions or pics of them.
In 1904 Mr. Malerne was a Noblet foreman and played in the La Couture Municipal Band when Mr. Georges Leblanc was the Director. In 1930s LeBret (Paris) was sold to Malerne. In 1975 Malerne was bought by SML.

Malerne Standard Emblem

A1816 & A43xx has the Bb throat adjusting screw. ( The dates are really just a guess )

A6793 - 1942ish no lining and no throat adjusting screw. Yes, if you noticed the A6793 (supposedly a later serial number has no adjusting screw, where as the A43xx has one)

Dxxxx 1945ish

E3491 - 1946ish - had that nickel silver lining in the upper joint. adjusting screw on the throat keys. Pics are from top of top joint, and from bottom of top joint

Oxxxx = 1955ish

Marigaux

from http://www.marigaux.com/english/

STRASSER MARIGAUX LEMAIRE

A short historic recalls...

Marigaux, a famous name, a renowned brand. Since now over 50 years the name Marigaux has been associated with those of the greatest oboe players, its reputation ever continuing to assert itself. At present Marigaux is a reference in the field of sound throughout the world.

The 12 January 1935, Strasser Marigaux was founded by three associates: Mr Strasser, Mr Marigaux and Mr Lemaire, hence the abbreviation of the current company SML. Strasser Marigaux began activity in Paris, 144 bd. de la Villette with the manufacture of saxophones and flutes. In parallel with this also began the making of oboes and clarinets at a workshop in the Couture Boussey, a town in the Eure already a well-known centre of French craftsmanship.

In 1975, Marigaux bought the company Malerne (in the Couture Boussey) and transferred their production into a more spacious factory.

In 1981 Strasser Marigaux abandoned the manufacture of all other intruments to devote itself entirely to the improvement of oboes and clarinets.

in 2001 Marigaux stopped production of Clarinets and now strictly produce Oboes.

RS Symphonie (information courtesy from Ben from Switzerland)

The Marigaux Symphonie was named after Roland Simoncini, former solo clarinetist of the Orchestre National de France, under whose guidance this clarinet has been designed. Unfortunately, Marigaux abandoned the clarinets sometime in 2003 and now concentrate on oboes and English horns.

This clarinet sports a number of unusual ergonomic features such as the roller keys on the right hand pinky keys' stack, an asymmetric register key, comfortable trill keys and a neatly designed "landing zone" for the left hand pinky.

Yamaha

Models	Notes
20 (plastic)
22 (plastic)
24 (plastic)	SN example: 015762
250 (plastic)
26 II (plastic)	SN Example: 128853
34 (wood)	SN example: 005080A and 006123 and 046107	pics from Junkdude.com pic # 1 pic # 2 pic # 3 pic # 4
52

450
61	SN Example: 004019A
82	982 era	pics from Junkdude.com pic # 1 pic # 2 pic # 3 pic # 4 pic # 5 pic # 6 pic # 7
CS-G Custom		from ebay pic # 1
CS-GH

Alternative Keywork

Alternative Keywork Name	Makers who Used / Years	Pics / Notes
Mazzeo	Selmer / mid 1960s Each model, Selmer Paris, Signet and Bundy had slightly different features.	Selmer Mazzeo Clarinet Article Mazzeo Brochure #1 Mazzeo Brochure #2 Mazzeo Mechanisms The Mazzeo mechanism on the Signet allows the player to switch between "Mazzeo" mode and regular Boehm. The first picture has a Bundy Mazzeo (on the bottom) and a Signet Mazzeo (on the top) The Signet mechanism (left) shows it in the Mazzeo position. It has a knurled end "plunger" mechanism to turn the Mazzeo system on/off. To disconnect you simply push the mechanism in. To reconnect you pull it out. Mazzeo information, brochures and pictures provided by S. Page, UK
McIntyre	Upper joint only	from eBay
	Selmer (this series 9 has a band on the top joint)	from eBay

1982 Clarinet prices

Instrument	Manufacturer	Model	Description	List	Wholesale/Mail Order
Bb soprano	Artley	17S	Plastic	309	169
	Vito	7112	Resonite	305	171
	Armstrong	4001P	Reso	310	176
	Artley	18-S-80	Reso w/bell ring	327	181
	King	KG 1303	Reso	333	182
	Bundy	1400	Reso	309.50	182
	Evette	1990 (B10)	Reso	309.50	184
	Buffet (1993 list)	B-11	plastic	320	191
	Yamaha	YCL24-II	Comp	319	187
	Yamaha	TCL26	Comp ABS plastic	339	199
	Conn	28S-80	'Henkin' machine lathed and bored, wood grain prof key mechanism	335	186
	Noblet	V-40	Wood gain - non wood	389	221
	Artley	78-S-80	Wood Paris Prof	447	246
	Armstrong	4020W	Wood Performance Model	449.50	264
	Signet	100	Wood intermediate model	449.50	264
	Normandy	4	Wood Paris Performance	472.50	269
	Evette	1993 (E-11)	Wood Paris	459	274
	Signet	110	Wood intermediate model	449.50	292
	Noblet	40	Wood Paris Performance	575	338
	Signet	115	Wood Performance Model	575	369
	Noblet	45	Wood Paris Prof Artist	695	408
	Noblet (1993 List)	145	Special Value (in 1993 list the 45 and 40 prices dropped)	675	395
	Buffet (1993 list)	E-12		724	395
	Marigaux	245	Wood Paris Professional	474	409
	Evette	1101 (E-13)	Wood Paris Professional	995	594
	Yamaha	YCL-81	grenadilla	1190	695
	Yamaha	YCL-82	grenadilla	1190	695
	Leblanc	1176	Wood Paris Prof Artist	1395	794
	Leblanc	L-27	Symphonic Model	1395	794
	Selmer	B-15-9	Wood Paris Prof Artist	1400	798
	Buffet	R-13	Wood Paris Prof Artist	1395	820
	Marigaux	355	Wood Paris Prof	1518	829
	Leblanc	L-200	Symphonic Model	1495	852
	Leblanc (1993 List)	L-300		1225	695
	Selmer	B-15-10S	Wood Paris Prof Artist	1400	1050
Alto Clarinets	King	KG-1308	Reso	690	389
	Vito	7165	REso	570	427
	Bundy	1425	Reso	575	429
	Yamaha	YCL-20	plastic	625	425
	Artley	18N	Reso	790	474
	Marigaux	700	Wood Paris Professional	1188	769
	Noblet	60	Wood Paris	1501	1049
	Yamaha	YCL-631, low Eb	grenadilla	2400	1595
	Leblanc	420	Wood Paris	2160	1619
	Selmer	22	Wood Paris	2400	1800
Bass Clarinets	King	KG-1309	Reso	890	499
	Vito	7166P	Reso	725	539
	Bundy	1430P	Reso	725	543
	Yamaha (1983)	YCL-220	plastic	795	549
	Vito	7168	Reso Eb key on body	920	568
	Artley	19N	Reso	970	579
	Marigaux	750	Wood Paris Professional	1470	955
	Noblet	55	Wood Pars, 18 keys	1735	1214
	Noblet	5J, Low Eb		1835	1285
	Leblanc	400	Wood Paris, 18 keys	2700	2025
	Yamaha	YCL-621, low Eb		2900	1945
	Selmer	30	Wood Pari,s 18 keys	2800	2100
	Buffet (1983)	R-13		3108	2045
	Buffet (1983), Low C	R-13		3991	2595
ContraBass	Bundy	1440EEb	Reso	995	746
	Vito	7181EEb	Reso	1228	859
	Vito	7182BBb	Reso	1810	1267
	Leblanc	342BBb	all metal Paris, Low Eb	2304	1728
	Leblanc	340BBb	All metal, Paris, Low C	4400	3299

Neat Clarinet Links

History of the Clarinet

http://www.niu.edu/user/u40gmb1/Cl_history.shtml

Nifty Acoustics Link

http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/baclac_art.htm

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