 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bemor
Date: 2006-07-06 08:09
Ok. So here's the deal. My uncle was cleaning out his attic when he seen something very familiar. His old Eb Clarinet from high school. He called me later that day and told me he was going to send it to me (knowing I’ve been playing clarinet for quite some time). I got the clarinet in the mail just yesterday. It's a wooden Leblanc Noblet Paris. It plays well but it could use a good technicians touch. I was just wondering if anyone could help me find out how old it is, how much its worth and if its worth keeping and one last thing. Would it be worth it to take it to a local shop and have them overhaul it? Thanks in advance.
Post Edited (2006-07-06 08:17)
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2006-07-06 12:20
I've got one of those too. Unfortunately Leblanc does not provide production data on older instruments, and you have to work to get it on newer (~1964 and later) horns. A local tech actually knows most of the history of my Noblet. Based on that, as well as a very few instruments I have seen with known sale dates, mine (sn 13114) was probably made in the late 1940s or early 1950s. My effer has the round Noblet emblem and silver plated key work.
Unless yours has some really bad problems (like a huge crack in the body) it's worth sending to a good tech for overhaul. When it's right, it should be amazingly free blowing and responsive, with a very wide dynamic range. It's easy to play up in dynamic level without realizing how loud you are. I have gotten more "back off" cues from the conductor while playing effer than I ever got on Bb or A.
The original barrel that came with my horn is 39mm and horribly sharp. With a 43mm barrel it plays quite well, other than the usual altissimo intonation problems, which can reduced, but not eliminated (!) with some creative alternate fingerings. If altissimo long tones are required, it's best to play them down an octave. Also, if your Noblet doesn't have one already, get a good mouthpiece. It will make a huge difference.
One strange thing that you will probably encounter. When you first start playing, it will have an extremely bright tone, actually shrill. Don't give up and put it away. Apply lots of bore oil and play it regularly. It will settle down and sound good after a couple weeks.
It's fun to play, so you probably will wind up digging through your group's library looking for effer parts. Even if you don't play it in performances, it will make you a better clarinet player. You will hear every uneven finger lift, each bumped key and all the nuances of uneven breath control, so you'll know exactly where you need to work.
Have fun with your "new" effer! As someone commented, they are small but powerful.
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-07-06 16:46
Tony said:
"apply lots of bore oil..."
I would recommend talking to a qualified clarinet repair technician before applying "lots of bore oil". This diagnosis over the internet is often problematic as those of us reading your post can not inspect your instrument first-hand so therefore we are not/should not be qualified to make such assumptions, imho.
Best of Luck!!! The effer is a unique beast...
Clayton
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2006-07-07 06:44
I've also got a old Leblanc Eb and I've to say that it is very difficult to determine the model name. According to a Leblanc technician, it would be a 176 or a 1176... It's a great instrument, one of the best Eb clarinets I've ever played!
Let a technician take a look and ask him/her if it’s worth a overhaul.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-07-13 16:49
I had a Noblet through my college years and liked it very much and mine was the pick of four I tried but all 4 had a bad high E. You can add the sliver key pinkey and it will be a bit better. At least close to in tune. It is surprising how often that note pops up!
I would suggest that you take thisd obviously older horn to a good repair person, preferably someone who actually knows what an Eefer is.
Anyway, HAVE fun with it!
EEfer guy
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2006-07-13 21:34
Wow, it seems like Le Blanc made a large lot of Eb clarinets. I just picked up a Noblet a month ago for a steal. I'm having Walter Grabner overhaul it since he lives within 30 minutes of me. The lady that plays Eb in the local summer band has the same Eb as well. I'm looking forward to playing my Eb this fall in band.
Tony
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