Leblanc system manual

[saintsday]

I just got a Leblanc system tenor from Junkdude and love the sound of the horn, however there doesn't appear to be a lot of information about these horns out there. I found Steve Goodson's page about them, but I lose resolution when I try to blow up the pages from the manual. Does anyone have any idea where I might find a manual, or copy of the manual, for this nifty and unusual horn?

[Ol Danl]

I've had one of the tenors since about 1971, and maybe about 15 years ago I wrote a letter to LeBlanc and asked about the age of the horn. They told me it was made in 1969, and they sent me a fingering chart, showing the alternate fingerings and sent a copy of some pages from a sales manual from the time. I don't have the stuff available right now, because I'm working away from home. You might try contacting whoever LeBlanc is now for similar stuff, they might still be some help. By the way, the one I have is serial number 500, and I've heard there are not all that many of them. What number is yours?

[saintsday]

Hi Danl-
Thanks for the info. I'll try contacting Leblanc's current incarnation and see what happens. I'm not at home at the moment, but I think mine is 773. I'd read about the great intonation (mine is good, not great) but I hadn't heard about the big solid sound these things have. The friend/teacher that was with me when I got it was amazed after a day of A/B ing SBAs against his MK VI's. You should have seen the look on his face when I hooked up the Leblanc and ran down to Bb.
How would you describe the sound of yours and have your heard an alto?
If I don't hear back from Leblanc, I would gladly pay you for your time and trouble if you could copy what you have.
Regards,
John

[Ol Danl]

Hey Saintsday, I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I believe my horn gets a pretty large tone, too -- but I believe I can get a fairly dry sound, too, for that matter. I really like its tone. I'm still using a Link 7* metal I've had since th 70's. I can't say I've heard an alto. When I get home this weekend, I'll see if I can't find the stuff Leblanc sent me -- pretty sure I still have it. The only problem I have is knowing how to scan it into the computer -- we have one of those printers that also is a scanner, but I've just never done that. By the way, as fingerings go, some of the standard ones have never worked for me on the horn. The E3 and F3, when played with the front F key, have always been flat, so I found that I can open the G# key when playing them and get them up in tune. How do they work on your horn?

[saintsday]

Hey Danl,
It looks as though I'll have my own manual late next week. I won a Vito alto special edition horn from 1968 that is supposed have 15 minutes playing time on it and never sold with all the fingering charts, manual, unregistered warranty card, and all the original gimme stuff. From the pics this is one knock out looking horn with silver inlaid in the engraving and the Leblanc fingerings. From reading threads on this forum, it seems that there were some horns assembled in Kenosha by a two guys that although they are badged Vito, are Leblanc system horns. If there is any history or info that looks like it might be of interest to you, I'll scan it and send it. I haven't had a chance to check my E&F3's with my tuner yet, but I'll let you know.

[AMASAX]

did you ever get a hold of the Leblanc pubs for your Leblanc System horn ??

[hornimprovement]

Saintsday, I'd be glad to pay you for your time and trouble to send me a copy of the fingering chart. I have an alto that I haven't explored yet.
Because of the nature of my work, I get to play a lot of excellent saxes and I will say the sound on this LeBlanc is about as live as it gets!

[saintsday]

When I bought the Johnny Hodges model Vito that is on the saxpics calendar it came with the fingering chart as well as every other accessory, mostly unwrapped/unused. Anyone who wants a copy email me, please don't PM as that box is almost full, and I'll be happy to send copies as long as I'm not deluged with requests.