NORMANDY by LEBLANC INTERMEDIATE Bb WOOD CLARINET - ALL LEATHER PADS - DEMO VIDEO - READY TO PLAY!

This is an early French-made Normandy wood clarinet serial number A9051 produced within the Leblanc family of instruments during a period before the Normandy name became heavily associated with later student-market clarinets. These earlier Normandy clarinets occupy a much more substantial position within the Leblanc ecosystem, offering legitimate intermediate-level wood clarinet construction, refined French playing characteristics, and noticeably more acoustic sophistication than many players expect from the Normandy name.

🎶 This particular example has been fully serviced and professionally repadded, making it an excellent intermediate or step-up instrument for advancing students, returning players, doublers, or ensemble musicians seeking a warm, resonant French wood clarinet with stable response and smooth tonal characteristics. The clarinet offers a balanced combination of focused projection, moderate resistance, and a lively tonal core associated with traditional French bore concepts.

Body & Condition

Constructed entirely from grenadilla wood, the body remains in very good condition for its age with no evidence of cracks or previous crack repair. The wood shows the expected scratches, nicks, and cosmetic blemishes associated with normal wear and long-term use, though nothing affecting structural integrity or playability.

The bore measures approximately 14.8 mm (0.583"), placing it within a moderately controlled French intermediate bore range that offers more tonal focus and centered response than many larger-bore American clarinets while remaining more open and flexible than later heavily compressed student designs. Included is the original 66 mm barrel.

The top tenon of the upper joint is metal capped, a construction feature commonly associated with higher-quality clarinets and intended to reinforce vulnerable tenon areas against cracking and wear.

This instrument reflects the earlier French Leblanc-family design philosophy emphasizing responsive keywork, smooth register transitions, warm tonal character, and practical long-term reliability.

Pads, Corks & Mechanism

• Completely repadded with blue leather pads throughout
• All tenon corks replaced where necessary
• Key corks and quiet corks replaced where necessary
• Fully adjusted and regulated
• Ready to play

Keys & Hardware

• Standard Boehm system keywork
• Responsive French-style mechanism
• Top tenon of upper joint fitted with metal cap
• Mechanism functions properly throughout
• Normal cosmetic wear consistent with age and use

Case & Accessories

• Original “carry-all” style case included
• Upper compartment folds down for sheet music storage
• Interior of case appears nearly unused
• Exterior shows cosmetic wear from age and handling
• Includes used Woodwind Vito II clarinet mouthpiece
• Includes Leblanc “L” metal ligature
• No mouthpiece cap included

Additional Notes

Serial number A9051 places this clarinet among the earlier generations of French-made Normandy clarinets associated with Leblanc production, likely dating to the 1950s or earlier. These earlier wood Normandy instruments differ substantially from many of the later student-oriented Normandy clarinets that appeared in subsequent decades.

🎵 Within the broader Leblanc family ecosystem, instruments such as this occupied the intermediate wood clarinet category and were intended to provide authentic French wood clarinet performance at a more accessible level than flagship professional Leblanc Paris models. In many ways, these clarinets align more closely with early Noblet intermediate concepts and practical French export clarinet designs.

The 14.8 mm (0.583") bore design contributes to a balanced playing feel characterized by warm tonal response, stable throat tones, smooth register transitions, moderate resistance, and good lower-register presence. Compared to many later student clarinets, these earlier Normandy wood clarinets often feel significantly more resonant and acoustically alive while retaining the focused response associated with traditional French clarinet design.

These earlier French-made Normandy clarinets remain somewhat misunderstood today because the Normandy name later became associated with more student-market production. Properly restored examples such as this, however, demonstrate the strong acoustic and mechanical qualities these earlier Leblanc-family instruments are capable of delivering.

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