This tread is still going! Awesome. As for your question Jeff, I would have to dig around on the web.
Oh, and 350 Rocket, thanks for validating the reset of serial numbers in '84.
I have been poking around the web today, trying to find any way to contact Leblanc Vito in Kenosha, WI.
From the Vitos I have been collecting/redistributing lately (as part of a personal mission to get more competent clarinets into the hands of middle-schoolers), I am increasingly convinced that all of the "V"-branded instruments were manufactured after 2003; I have attached an article that in 2004 they were broadcasting a re-marketing of the Vito brand as "Leblancs" to connect the student instruments (which continued to be excellent players if one bothered to get a professional setup) to the professional Leblanc clarinets as step-up choices. I am focusing on the 7214 and less prevalent V40 clarinets. Most of the 7214s get Greenbacks with cork on register, and the V40s get roo-leather pads (with cork). I have recently done a V40 with Valentino Master's on the upper joint and leather on the bottom and it feels and plays wonderfully (I'm likely to keep this one); these are very nice clarinets to work on.
My talking points on this are:
- I have seen multiple occasions of near adjacent 7214s that have quite different bodies and bells...mainly differences in spring placement, bumpers, etc.
- The "V"-branded clarinets are in much better condition almost universally...kind of like on average they are 10-15 years newer.
- most of the Lyre-branded 7214s do not have the PRAG...only a few of them made after 1999 or so, pretty much all the "V"-branded 7214s have the PRAG
- The barrels on the "V"-branded have a slightly shallower taper although there is enough variation to make me uncertain about this
The 7214 clarinet can apparently still
be purchased new! I have failed completely to find any way to contact anyone in the Kenosha factory...any suggestions??