 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: adrian309
Date: 2013-05-13 19:59
Hi, can anyone tell me how old my Normandy Special wood clarinet made by Noblet, France.
It has only a 3 digit serial # 597
Any Info would be helpful.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-05-13 20:25
Your Normandy "Special" clarinet dates from the early to middle 1950s. At the time of their introduction, they were the entry-level instrument in the Leblanc lineup of soprano clarinets. As with all clarinets of the era, the build quality did vary from example to example. If you have one of the many Normandy Specials that were of good quality, it can still serve you very well today.
The main issue I've observed with Normandys from the 1950s is cracked barrels and poor-quality plating on the keys. A Special with a serial number that low might have unplated (or "maillechort") keys, though--which I personally prefer over bright nickel plating.
Some people do not like the bakelite bells which most Specials were equipped with.
Post Edited (2013-05-13 20:34)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-05-13 20:51
Couldn't find a Normandy serial number in that range. There are some Leblanc models with that serial number from 1960s and 1970s.
Steve Ocone
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-05-14 14:38
Note that Normandy did not share serial numbers with Noblet, Leblanc (Paris), and Jeffrey even though the Noblet works manufactured all four marques.
Additionally, there are at least three series of serial numbers for Normandy soprano clarinets: The first Normandy and the Special shared the first run of numbers. When the Model 5, 7, and 10 were introduced in the mid-1950s, Noblet started again with serial number 1 and this was used for all subsequent French-built Normandys--except for the Special, which was given an one-letter suffix after its serial number. The USA-built Normandy 14 also had its own run of serial numbers.
I freely admit that none of this matters very much; we're talking about 50- to 60-year-old entry-level instruments whose present condition is exponentially more important than determining an exact vintage.
Post Edited (2013-05-14 14:47)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Akozzii
Date: 2015-09-27 10:22
I also have a Normandy special- and was wondering how old it is?
Serial 6###B (can't remember exact number-and it's not in front of me)
Wood body& Composite bell
Any ideas? Or is "early 50s" as close as I can get?
Thanks all!
Akozzii
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-09-27 14:12
Based on my serial number analysis, the Normandy Specials with a suffixed serial number were built after the ones that lacked a suffix letter. But, a few with suffixed serial numbers appear to be replacement joints.
Mid 1950s is the likely period in which your Special was built. This model was introduced as early as 1948 and used a previous-generation keywork design from the contemporary Noblet 40 to keep costs low.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Akozzii
Date: 2015-09-28 09:22
Thank you!! It is being restored. I'm excited to get it back and play again.
Akozzii
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-09-28 13:28
Best wishes on your Normandy Special restoration! If yours turns out as nice as my first Normandy, a standard model built around 1951, you'll be very pleasantly surprised.
These early Normandy models will tune sharp using the stock barrel and a standard Vandoren or Selmer mouthpiece. You will probably want to invest in tuning rings once you check your Special's intonation with a tuner; Buffet metal tuning rings have worked well for me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
