Leblanc 707 Sonic Bb trumpet 1961 - Gold plated

The 707 Sonic is a medium bore (.453) model that was the most popular LeBlanc model of this era.  This trumpet is gold plated and heavily engraved.  The engraving is faded and failing in places, but it still has a good overall appearance.  There is a patch on the 2nd valve slide as well as the bell where it enters the valve block.  This trumpet has nickel-silver inner slide tubes and the valve compression is excellent.   The horn plays well and is a great representative of this vintage model.

It comes with a non-original case.

The 707 Sonic was a very popular horn back in the late 50s and early 60s.  Pete Candoli, Warren Luening and several other Hollywood lead trumpet players played the 707 Sonic when it was first introduced in the US.

From a LeBlanc marketing piece on this model:

 "MODEL 707 "Sonic"

The trumpet sensation that has captured the fancy of many of the world's true artists. Light as a dream, every minute detail of this unique creation reflects precision and pride. The "707” possesses flawless intonation and rich timbre. Features include balanced pistons, hand lapped valves - single slot type with wide spacing between ports, one piece bell construction, flanged first slide brace, flanged bell mouthpiece braces, adjustable third valve slide and third slide finger ring, and special first slide tuning trigger on all models. .453” bore."

The LeBlanc trumpets of this era were not affiliated with the Holton company in Elkhorn Wisconsin.  A few years after this trumpet was made, LeBlanc acquired Holton; however, trumpets such as this one of the LeBlanc Sonic series were made in France for LeBlanc by Courtios.   
 

Beneath the serial number on the 2nd valve it says "MADE IN FRANCE". The model "707 Sonic" can be found on the lead pipe. There is engraving all the way up the bell extending past the valves. The engraving is of flowers and leaves with the words "G. LEBLANC PARIS" engraved on the bell. There is beautiful scroll work all the way around the edge of the keys and valve caps both on the top and bottom. There is also scrolling on all of the tuning slides. The trademark vintage medallion on the tuning slide brace has the two raised heads on it and the words "LEBLANC PARIS MANUFACTURE ARISTIQUE INSTRUMENTS DE MUSIQUE".