Description

G. Leblanc Paris Bass Clarinet — Early 1960s Professional Wooden Instrument to Low Eb

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a genuine vintage French professional bass clarinet in honest, playing condition. This G. Leblanc Paris bass clarinet is crafted from solid Grenadilla wood and features a Boehm system keyed down to Low Eb. Bearing the classic Leblanc Paris maker’s mark and an early 1960s serial number, this is a serious instrument built during the golden era of French woodwind manufacturing. It delivers the rich, dark resonance that only aged vintage wood can provide. Sold complete with its original hard case, neck crook, and bell.

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The Brand: G. Leblanc Paris

Founded in France by Georges Leblanc, the company historically stood alongside Selmer and Buffet Crampon as one of the “Big Three” premier woodwind manufacturers. Leblanc was particularly famous for its exceptional acoustic engineering and rock-solid keywork, often leading the industry in mechanical innovations. Their wooden bass clarinets from this mid-century era are highly regarded by professional players and doublers for their robust construction, excellent intonation, and a beautifully centered, woody tone that modern synthetic or ABS plastic instruments simply cannot replicate.

The Instrument & Its History

This is a professional-grade bass clarinet turned from solid Grenadilla wood. It features a standard Boehm system layout keyed down to Low Eb, the standard requirement for orchestral, pit theatre, and concert band repertoire.

The instrument is fitted with heavy nickel/silver-plated mechanisms built to withstand decades of serious professional use. The maker’s crest is clearly stamped into the upper joint. Please note: The dark vertical line visible on the top tenon cork in the photographs is simply the standard lap-joint seam where the sheet cork was glued together; the underlying Grenadilla wood is perfectly intact.

Serial Number

Serial number: 6864
This serial number is stamped directly into the wood. While Leblanc’s historical production records were partially lost over the decades, surviving registries and expert consensus indicate that their 1964 production year began at serial 7600. Therefore, this serial number places the instrument’s manufacture firmly in the early 1960s (roughly 1960–1962).

Condition Assessment & Selling Potential

This instrument is being sold in “Player’s Condition.” We are pricing and evaluating this honestly: it is a functional instrument that has been played and maintained, but it has not just returned from a £800 premium top-to-bottom overhaul. Key condition points:

• Body: Solid Grenadilla wood. The wood is in excellent structural condition with no cracks or pinned repairs on the main joints—a massive positive for an instrument of this vintage.
• Keywork: The nickel/silver mechanism is fully intact. Keys move freely and function as they should, though the action naturally reflects an instrument that has been played rather than one that is factory-fresh.
• Pads & Corks: The pads are of mixed ages. They currently seal well enough for the instrument to speak down to Low Eb, but as with any vintage instrument in player’s condition, a new owner may eventually choose to have their technician swap out a few older pads to optimize response and crispness. Tenon corks are functional.
• Neck & Bell: Original metal neck crook and sweeping metal bell are included and in good vintage shape.
• Case: Housed in the original vintage Leblanc hard case with a plush red interior. The case shows expected cosmetic age but is structurally sound and provides proper protection for transport.

Where This Instrument Shines

Vintage Leblanc wooden bass clarinets are formidable instruments that easily outclass modern student models. This will reward a serious player across a range of settings:

• Orchestral and Concert Band playing: The Grenadilla wood provides a depth and warmth of tone that projects beautifully and blends seamlessly in large acoustic ensembles.
• Pit Theatre and Doubling: An ideal, reliable workhorse for professional saxophonists and clarinettists needing a high-quality bass for musical theatre pads without having to finance a brand-new wooden horn.
• Jazz and Studio work: Excellent sub-tone capabilities and a rich, articulate lower register.

Who Will This Suit?

This listing is perfect for an advanced student, a professional doubler, or a vintage instrument enthusiast who understands the value of mid-century French wood and wants an instrument that is ready to play, while accepting that minor tweaks by their local technician might be desired down the road. Buying a comparable new wooden bass clarinet from a major French manufacturer today would cost upwards of £6,000 to £8,000.

UK Price Evaluation

Asking price: £1,450

To provide transparency on this valuation: unplayable Leblanc project horns requiring a total rebuild typically sell for £800–£1,100 in the UK. Fully overhauled, retail-ready models from specialist dealers command £1,800–£2,500. At £1,450, this reflects a fair “Player’s Condition” status, offering a significant discount for a genuinely professional, historic wooden instrument that functions out of the box but leaves room in the buyer’s budget for future pad work if they desire absolute perfection.

Collection is warmly welcome from the Tonbridge / Hildenborough area so you can test play the instrument. Postage is also available (fully insured and tracked) at the buyer’s expense.

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All photos show the actual instrument. Mouthpiece and ligature are not included. We are happy to answer any questions or provide additional photographs of specific mechanisms or joints upon request.