Vito

New Big-V logo on 7212 modelFor various Vito models, see below.Bore: 14:85mm.Please see the main Model Comparison page for how to interpret the results. I am playing “dumb” and loud to test. This is an example of good intonation, and with a “smart” player, this instrument will play in tune.However the barrel is pushed in all the way! Vito players should have a short barrel in their case. See the page about barrels. About the headless pivot screws: It is important to keep them oiled. I seem to be finding more of them that are stubbornly stuck than screws with heads on the other horns that I have been reconditioning. Some of the screws have a dot of Lock-Tight on them that was put on at the factory.

Vitos are most appropriate for beginning and intermediate students. They certainly play as well or better in tune as wooden instruments I rate as suitable for intermediate players. When I was teaching in college, I even had a clarinet major who played very nicely on a Vito. However, in any first rate music school, brand name snobbery will come into consideration, and a good wooden horn will be expected.

This first test is with an old Vito 3, which does not have the three tiny, curly springs. Serial #07574.

2nd is different old model, needle springs, serial #02131.

3rd is #D33552, a lot newer, with the Lyre shaped Vito logo.

Newer Vito models reconditioned by Phil:

15Jun2011 model 7212 #096638

17Jun2011 #C39723, not marked as a 7212.

22Jul2011 #E48049, 7212, straight top trill key, Big-V logo. For Nicki's daughter.

30Jul2011, #C55853, 7214. Big Lyre logo.

4Aug2011, #A02660, 7212, Big-V logo.

11Sept2012, #C82370, 7214, curly lyre logo.

5Dec2012, #C96244, model 7214, big lyre logo.

28Dec2012, #C09423, model 7214. Hump on top trill key, big curly lyre logo.

12Jul2014, #C88230, model 7212. For Dale Smotherman.

Plain Vito reconditioned by Phil:

7May2014, A41261, for Len Allman.

Serial number information for Vitos found here.

Ken wrote with information from a couple of years before the info from the Leblanc Company Archive below:

1972 Lablanc / Vito Clarinet in a hard case. It is marked with the staff on the bell. The top section has the Staff emblem, then Claritone, then Kenosha , Wis then U.S.A.. My certificate of Warranty has model # 7141 A and the Factory registered serial # of 76703.

Clarientpages member, Bernie, wrote to the University of South Dakota and contributed this very helpful information: