WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
2525 East Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67211
Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858 LeBlanc's bass clarinet catalog listed three basic models of wood bass clarinets, all made in their workshop just west of Paris:Their "Noblet" model 55 / 60 basses were produced for school use and for adult amateurs.  Simplified register mechanism, but always with high-quality wood.  We like these, always have them available, offered with 100%  new pads and corks from our workshop in Wichita.Their "LeBlanc model 400" basses are also often available from us.  Good design and scale, top-quality wood and keywork.  Made for professional or semi-pro use.  Our Wichita Symphony Orchestra's bass player used one of these in our orchestra for more than two decades.Leon LeBlanc's "Double LL -500 " basses are quite a bit more rare.  We don't see them often and yes, the design work was that of the late M. LeBlanc....a fine clarinet player himself.  The 500 LL is similar to the 400 series instruments, but the bore size is just a couple of millimeters wider.  That gives this model a wonderfully rich lower register that's unlike anything made since. Our bass come to us in good general condition, now wears all new pads and corks from our shop in Wichita.  No cracks to the wood, good new case, vintage VanDoren mouthpiece.And we recommend it highly....for the serious bass player.  Range is, as you can see in the photos, to low E-flat.  This is a particularly clean and good example that sings with a glorious voice!**** Our clarinet is a LeBlanc model L-400, the standard pro-model bass from LeBlanc.Serial number is 12,947, made in Lecouture (west of Paris) in 1978.  VERY good player, with a rich and full lower register.Your choice of Charles Bay neck or traditional LeBlanc neck (I prefer the latter).The original nickel plated keywork is almost perfect, showing minimal wear. All pads and corks are new, from our shop in Wichita. With Vandoren mouthpiece, new case, and our two-year service warranty. This one's a very clean example, fully reconditioned by our shop, no cracks and damage-free, and with new pads and corks. CLARIFEST 2017?  YES, WE'LL BE THERE.   THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, July 27, 28 & 29, in ORLANDO.
**************************************************************************************************************************************** Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including eight of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell a few unrestored historical instruments each year. It’s sometimes possible to buy a good clarinet on Ebay for a lower price, but unless that instrument wears all new pads and corks from a reputable shop, you won’t know how it plays until you spend another several hundred to have it mechanically overhauled. With a used clarinet from OUR shop, you know it’s in the finest condition when it arrives at your home! Here’s what we do to all the used clarinets we sell: The instrument is taken apart and everything washed clean. All wood parts are inspected for checks and damage, polished and then soaked in oil for three days. After the body-shop work’s been completed, we swedge hinge-tubes tight again and re-fit to the clarinet body. Finally, pads and corks are replaced and the instrument play-tested. Most customers tell us that our clarinets are then actually mechanically better than new. Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years: ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace, whichever in our estimation is the more advisable, pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight and insurance charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to reimburse us for restocking charges (if you pay with credit card, 2.95%/no charges if you pay with PayPal) on any returned instrument. Ebay authorized payment methods: PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account. Buyers outside of the USA are responsible for all import duties and customs clearance charges in their respective countries. We may refuse paypal and/or credit card payments from some countries. Other new, reconditioned, and vintage band instruments available. Our specialties are new clarinets from Buffet, Selmer or LeBlanc as well as re-built and vintage instruments from the same firms. Rebuilt crack-free altos and basses are usually available. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask “what’s granny’s baritone sax worth?” Do an Ebay search and you’ll be able to learn more than we could ever tell you! . Feel free to call or e-mail for any additional information.
Wichita Band Instrument Co.
800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada),
316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line,
OUR STORE