Vito (Leblanc) Explained

Vito is a brand name of Leblanc, started in 1951.

History

Vito is a brand name for Leblanc USA, now part of Conn-Selmer USA. The Vito name was used for student through professional (Yanagisawa baritone saxophone) instruments. Leblanc USA was formed in 1946 by Vito Pascucci, and the French woodwind manufacturer, G. Leblanc Cie of France. To meet high demand, Leblanc USA started to manufacture clarinets in the US from plastic bodies and French keys. Eventually all of the parts were made in the US. These student clarinets were named "Vito".

Many, if not all, Vito flutes were "stencil" instruments manufactured in Japan by Yamaha. They were roughly the equivalent of a Yamaha YFL-200 series student instrument.

Some manufacturers of Vito instruments:

Beaugnier of Paris, France - Beaugnier made saxophones as Beaugnier and stencils labeled Leblanc, Vito and Noblet for the French market and U.S. export and also Selmer for U.K. export.
Yanagisawa of Japan - (Vito VSP: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones). These Yanagisawa stencils were marketed in the US as intermediate /professional model horns.
Yamaha of Japan (7131 model Alto and also Tenor Saxophones)
KHS/Jupiter brand (7133 model Alto and Tenor Saxophones).

Serial numbers

Vito Alto Saxophone Model 7131 Japan Stamped Serial Numbers.

These serial numbers ignore the leading zeros at the start of the serial numbers.

1970:1-500

Vito Saxophone models

Vito 7133SS Soprano Sax
Vito 7131R(K) Alto Sax
Vito 7133 Alto Sax
Vito 7131T(K) Tenor Sax
Vito 7133T Tenor Sax
Vito 7190BA Baritone Sax
Vito 7136 Alto Sax
Vito 7140 Alto Sax

External links

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