Klarinet Archive - Posting 000626.txt from 1996/08

From: Gene Keyes <gene@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Noblet
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 1996 12:47:12 -0400

>Does anyone know about the manufacturing history of Noblet
>clarinets? My information about them is sketchy: evidently a "Noblet"
>family did manufacture them independantly, but at some point
>became a part of the Leblanc Corporation.
>
>I've seen four in my life: one Bb I own, purchased
>for $150, and a fairly good playing instrument. I saw a second
>in the "Tanglewood" instrument shop (currently located in
>the owner's large basement) of Bethesda, Maryland, in the
>company of many, many boxwood and rosewood clarinets (are
>you reading this, Nick? It's a museum). It was rather old, with a
>characteristic logo which I believe preceeded the one on mine,
>very scripted and understated in comparison to the later, boxed
>and blunt logo. The third was a Bb in a second-hand shop which I
>regret I did not purchase. It had the older logo, and appeared (for
>those who care about such things) like a solid and well-made
>instrument. The last I saw offered "new" in an instrument
>shop for $550.
>
>The keys and tone hole placement are indeed very similar to
>a Leblanc L7 (anyone want to buy it?) I have. But the Noblet plays
>subjectively "better" with a deeper quality in the low tones and a
>more generous high range. They possibly date from the same
>era. Is there any Noblet lore? Has the Noblet always been considered
>an "intermediate" instrument? ----Bill Fogle.
>
>I used a Noblet Eb (borrowed) for the first two years of the run of
"Fiddler on the Roof" I was sick when I had to return it. It was at least
as in tune (no charts..please) as the Buffet I'm playing now and sounded
great...I tried hard to buy it but the owner wouldn't sell/gk............

Gene Keyes
gene@-----.net