Yes, I am new here. I stumbled onto this forum, so please bear with me.
Many, MANY, years ago my mother was reportedly an outstanding clarinetist that, again reportedly, had offers to attend a conservatory, etc. etc...
Her father, my grand father, bought her a new Leblanc "Symphony model" clarinet serial # 1004A some time in the early 50s, I think. . She wound up having to get married and that ended that. Opps. Anyway, this clarinet was handed down to me some years later roughly about 1970 and I played it for 6 years at which time I went into an air force band where I played a military issued R13 Buffet while taking lessons from a nice gentleman named George Silfies of the St. Louis Symphony. During that time I met my spouse of 40 years and unfortunatley I stopped playing clarinet / sax after the military. I eventually sold my prized Mark VI Alto, but could never part with that old "Symphony model B flat clarinet. So now hear I am retired and regretting having quit playing and selling that Mark VI, but curious. Is it possible to send that 60+ year old B flat Leblanc back to the Leblanc folks in Europe to be "refurbished" properly? Back then the horn played better than the R13. Then again I am no doubt biased still. The last time I had it worked on the person lost a screw and basically jambed a replacement to hold. SO needless to say, I don't trust the handy local shops. This is clearly more a sentimental journey than anything as my chops are long since gone along with my dexterity and a piece of an index finger. No Nielsen concerto or Mozart for me, these days.
Thank you for your time and any leads on having this old horn brought back to it's former life.
Many, MANY, years ago my mother was reportedly an outstanding clarinetist that, again reportedly, had offers to attend a conservatory, etc. etc...
Her father, my grand father, bought her a new Leblanc "Symphony model" clarinet serial # 1004A some time in the early 50s, I think. . She wound up having to get married and that ended that. Opps. Anyway, this clarinet was handed down to me some years later roughly about 1970 and I played it for 6 years at which time I went into an air force band where I played a military issued R13 Buffet while taking lessons from a nice gentleman named George Silfies of the St. Louis Symphony. During that time I met my spouse of 40 years and unfortunatley I stopped playing clarinet / sax after the military. I eventually sold my prized Mark VI Alto, but could never part with that old "Symphony model B flat clarinet. So now hear I am retired and regretting having quit playing and selling that Mark VI, but curious. Is it possible to send that 60+ year old B flat Leblanc back to the Leblanc folks in Europe to be "refurbished" properly? Back then the horn played better than the R13. Then again I am no doubt biased still. The last time I had it worked on the person lost a screw and basically jambed a replacement to hold. SO needless to say, I don't trust the handy local shops. This is clearly more a sentimental journey than anything as my chops are long since gone along with my dexterity and a piece of an index finger. No Nielsen concerto or Mozart for me, these days.
Thank you for your time and any leads on having this old horn brought back to it's former life.
