What's the history on Vito altos?

[Melody Sutphin]

I have an old Leblanc Vito my parents bought me new in 1975. Needs complete overhaul-is it worth anything? The local repair shop is going to take a look at it tomorrow and make me an offer-may be able to use it for parts. :?:

[William Bua]

Vito history is hard to come by. You have to do a lot of trial and error. Here is what I know. The first vito were Beaugnier stencils with the words vito special made in france on them on the bell. The second generation of vitos were Beauginier made, but assembled in vito's Kenosha factory by one of three techs, also nice horns. After that, vito quit making or assembling their own instruments and went purely to stencils. The first Japanese horns were vsp vitos made by yanagisawa. Next was Yamaha's turn with yas and yts 23 stencils, great horns for students. Now vito horns are Thaiwan junk, oh well.
That is my two cents. If yours is either french or japanese, you have a good horn. Take care