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Metal Noblet

Author: Bob
Date: 2002-08-23 15:07

I recently received a metal Noblet,Paris I purchased on eBay. About half of the finish,which is gold in color, has come off revealing the brass or copper base metal. I can't believe the horn was gold plated and suspect it was lacquered. Anyone have a clue? The keys are nickel silver color.

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RE: Metal Noblet

Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2002-09-06 03:52

You have a lacquered brass student horn. The lacquer has a slight gold tint. This gives it that "gold" look, just like a saxophone. It can be striped and redone. I have one myself, and a "German Silver" model from Noblet. Here is the kicker; The horns are identical except the different metal used. For some reason it was believed that German Silver was the best clarinet metal, therefore the silver model was considered an intermediate model and the brass (yellow metal) was the student/ beginner model. We now know, the metal made minimal if any difference. So, that being said, your horn after restoration should sound like the intermediate level clarinet, mine does. I call mine the "Christmas Horn" after all it is silver and gold. These horns are relatively rare, given the fact that they were considered low end horns (at the time they were produced) they never got the respect and care the better horns received (students can be rough on their instruments) and as a result not many survived.
Mark

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