Leblanc can trace its history back to 1750 when the company Ets. D Noblet was formed in France. While making instruments for the court of Louis XV Noblet would help establish France as the centre for woodwind manufacturing. The Leblanc family, having established G Leblanc Cie in the late 19th century, were known for using scientific acoustic research in the development of clarinets and in 1904 acquired Ets. D Noblet and added their expertise to their own significant knowledge. Leon Leblanc, son of the founder Georges Leblanc, was an exceptional clarinettist, winning the top prize from the Conservatoire de Paris, and he believed heavily in applying the scientific principles of manufacturing. This ensured a high level of consistency and playability across their range of hand-made instruments.
In 1946 Leon Leblanc, with ex Glenn Miller repair technician Vito Pascucci, founded Leblanc USA in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Pascucci would begin building student level instruments in the USA allowing the Leblanc company in France to focus on their full range of professional instruments. During this period the range was increased to include saxophones, including the Model 100 and 120 System, designed by Leblanc to alleviate acoustic issues inherent in the standard key system.
In 2004 the company was acquired by Steinway Musical Instruments and their manufacturing base was moved to Elkhart, Indiana. In 2009, Leblanc released the Bliss line of clarinets in partnership with namesake, Julian Bliss. The Bliss clarinets offered unique features and playability not typically found in affordable student instruments.
New Leblanc Clarinets at Ackerman Music
LCL211S Debut Student Clarinet
The new Leblanc Debut is a fantastic introduction to the exciting world of Leblanc clarinets. The Debut student level clarinet boasts valuable features that are typically reserved for clarinets of a higher price point. A Reso-Tone ABS body is paired with precision-engineered cold-forged silver-plated keywork to produce a very ergonomic and reliable instrument.
LCL311S Spirito Student Clarinet
The new Leblanc Spirito is a premium student clarinet designed for the advancing young musician. With a complex bore design, the Spirito produces a rich and colourful sound whilst still being light and easy to hold. The silver-plated keywork is newly designed and combines elements of our long-standing history with the most advanced technology and manufacturing techniques available. Paired with industry-leading Valentino pads, the Leblanc Spirito allows the player to focus on what is most important – making music.
LCL411S Serenade Intermediate Clarinet
The new Leblanc Serenade II is the result of combining the brand’s rich history with the most modern and advanced manufacturing processes available. Featuring eye-catching aged Grenadilla wood which undergoes our unique multistage ageing and machining process, precision engineered cold forged keywork and most importantly a beautiful rich sound, the Leblanc Serenade II is the perfect instrument for every aspiring clarinettist. The Serenade II also features metal tenon caps to reinforce and protect the wood and a new proprietary bore polish process to increase playing response and projection. With innovations in tone hole placement to give an even sound, resistance and intonation across the range of the instrument, the Serenade II is a clarinet that easily plays at the level of instruments double its price.
