LEBLANC VITO FRANCE Bb WOOD INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED CLARINET - ALL LEATHER PADS - DEMO VIDEO - READY TO PLAY!

This Vito France Bb clarinet serial number D44233 is a French-made grenadilla wood intermediate/advanced-level instrument associated with the Leblanc family of clarinet production. Unlike many later Vito models utilizing composite components, this example is fully wood construction from barrel through bell, with matching Vito France markings present on all sections.

🎶 This clarinet has been completely repadded, serviced, adjusted, and regulated, and is ready to play. It is an ideal model for an advancing student seeking a long-lasting step up from a typical plastic student clarinet while still offering the warmth, flexibility, and tonal sophistication associated with French-made wood instruments. Well-set-up French-made Vito clarinets are often regarded as warm, flexible, and surprisingly sophisticated instruments that sit well above generic student-level production.

Body & Condition

The body is constructed entirely from grenadilla wood. Cosmetic condition is good overall for its age with expected wear and tear, including scratches and blemishes throughout the body consistent with normal use. There are no cracks and no previously repaired cracks present.

The bore measures 15.00 mm (0.591") at the entry and 14.7 mm (0.579") at the exit. The original barrel measures 66 mm.

The top tenon of the upper joint is metal capped, a feature commonly associated with higher-level intermediate and professional-style clarinets from the Leblanc family.

Pads, Corks & Mechanism

• Completely repadded with blue leather pads throughout
• Fully regulated, adjusted, and ready to play
• All tenon corks replaced where necessary
• All key and quiet corks replaced where necessary
• Responsive French-style mechanism and action

Keys & Hardware

• Nickel-plated keywork
• Keys machine polished and hand finished
• Approximately 90–95% plating remaining
• Some expected plating wear in common contact areas
• Keywork retains strong shine and presentation

Case & Accessories

• Original Leblanc case included
• Cloth swab included
• Cork grease included
• Used Premier by Hite mouthpiece included
• Generic metal ligature included
• Plastic mouthpiece cap included

Additional Notes

“Vito France” instruments were manufactured in France and associated with the Leblanc ecosystem through the Vito Pascucci distribution lineage. These instruments are fundamentally different from Vito USA student clarinets and Yamaha-produced Vito instruments.

🎵 Many Vito France clarinets share construction lineage and design philosophy with Noblet, Normandy, and Leblanc intermediate clarinets. Typical characteristics include warm tonal color, flexible response, smoother throat-tone transitions, and a relatively open feel compared to many later student instruments.

The mechanical design reflects traditional French-style Leblanc-family construction with lighter key feel, responsive action, practical serviceability, and solid machining quality. While not hand-built Leblanc Paris professional instruments, these French-made wood Vito clarinets are generally regarded as significantly more refined than generic student clarinets and are often considered sleeper instruments when properly serviced and set up.

Please refer to photos for cosmetic condition and demo video for playability.

Disclaimer

• As-is sale
• Buyer pays $30 toward shipping
• All instruments are shipped with insurance and may require a signature upon delivery
• All instruments are inspected and play-tested before shipping
• It is recommended to have instrument inspected after shipping as minor adjustments may be needed
• Additional setup work may be desired for personal playing preferences