I might actually be able to accept such an outside-axle pinky cluster, though it is still non-optimal in my opinion.There is one currently on eBay which appears to be in very good condition.This was a royal experiment in the art of saxophone making in Paris.
Very interesting and unusual key work and screw adjustable mechanisims. There is lots of metal in this sax and it has a distinguisable warm dark sound dark sound. All original, there is some minor lacquer wear in a few spots. It appears as if there may have been a few dents in it at one time and that they were removed. These 3 men developed a unique system of key mechanisms, which solved the problems that saxophone players had been struggling with since the instruments invention. Leblanc Alto Sax S Manual And AOn this page he includes scans of original literature that accompanied the Leblanc Rationale saxophones, as well as scans from the dealer sales manual and a factory service manual for technicians. The factory found it necessary to produce a manual which gave instructions on the proper adjustment and regulation of the instruments. To the very best of my knowledge, this is the ONLY time a factory service manual was deemed necessary for a saxophone. You will notice that although Steve Goodson noted 3 individuals were involved in the design of these new saxophones, on the patent documents only Leon Leblanc is listed as the inventor. The Buy It Now price is 2,000.00. At the time of writing there were 5 bids on this vintage tenor, with the high bid being 510.00. Id want it BACK of course, but it could be invaluable for someone trying to make a duplicate. Leblanc Alto Sax S Cracked Solder JointsWhat repairs it does need are relatively minor there are a couple cracked solder joints and one hastily repaired key, and it needs a new tenon between the body and neck. When I got the horn, it was mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time. It was a low A bari I could afford, and it was literally right next door. Given the price and the fact that I had no bari at all at the time, its a purchase I would absolutely make again, but thats not to say Im married to that horn in any way. For one thing, it has the LH pinky cluster axles down the outside, which I grow to detest more with each passing year. The low A lever is short, making it very stiff unless the Bb key (or at least B) is covered by the pinky. It lacks the articulated low C, as do most outside-axle horns (except the Leblanc under discussion here so it obviously can be done). The upward bell section is not as egregiously cylindrical as some (say, Buescher), but its not the same cone angle as the rest of the horn either. The bell section (last 8 inches or so) is a separate piece, attached with a ring. While the low A is linked to the Bb and B, actually attempting to USE this linkage by depressing the thumb lever without closing any pinky keys is extremely unreliable. Going from low C to low A is very dicey on this horn, and requires sliding off the C and onto the Bb in perfect synchrony with the pressing of the low A lever. This would be a problem on ANY bari lacking an articulated C, even one without a low A, but it is just that much more exposed on a horn WITH a low A.
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