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Noblet bass clarinet

Author: Chelle
Date: 2000-01-27 00:27

Hi,

I own a Noblet bass clarinet and would like to know how old it is. The serial number is 6417, so I am assuming that it is fairly old. I would greatly appreciate any help finding this information. If you have any suggestions, please e-mail me: t_chelle16@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
-Chelle

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RE: Noblet bass clarinet

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-01-27 15:54

It seems that dating the LeBlanc line of clarinets is quite difficult, with recommendations to contact LeB or/and Tom Ridenour on their web-sites. Having had both LeB and Noblet basses, perhaps I can help. One of their patents is on the register-Bb linkages they used in the 50's-80's. The ONLY register vent [a second would help] was located on the metal structure on top of the upper joint. A large tone-hole and pad provide the "pinch" [mid-staff] Bb , very satisfactorily! The mechanism's main feature was 2 parallel, horizontal levera which alternate motion. If your cl has this, I would guess age at 40 to 30 years. Hope this may help, perhaps others can do better!. Don

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RE: Noblet bass clarinet

Author: Chelle
Date: 2000-01-27 17:17

You described it exaclty. Thanks.

I don't know if this will help dating it more precisely, but about 2 inches above the A (throat) tone hole it has the emblem that says Noblet. It is a diamond shape with Noblet printed (not script) in the middle. Below that (also in the diamond) it says Paris. Below the diamond it says FRANCE. The top point of the diamond is divided into a smaller diamond with an N in it.

Also, about an inch above the diamond it looks like there used to be either a metal plate or perhaps a lyre holder. All that is there now are two small screws and an indention in the wood.

Another feature that I think is unusual is the joint where the neck attaches to the upper joint. The neck has cork on it and fits directly into the wooden part of the upper joint. Most of the other bass clarinets I have seen have a metal ring at the top of the upper joint where the metal neck fits.

Thanks for your help,
-Chelle

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RE: Noblet bass clarinet

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-01-27 17:59

Glad we could hit it so well. It seems to me as if your bass may actually be earlier than the one I had briefly, because of the diamond emblem, and particularly because of the corked-tenon/wood-socket neck/UJ [like my '50's Conn]. I found my copy of the "register keying" patent to Leon Leblanc US 2,627,776, issued 1953 , applied for Aug 19, 1950 [obviously developed earlier, but not marketed before 8/19/1949!]. Reference is made to the Stubbins {S-K mechanism} US 2,508,550 and Leblanc's 1933 "jump [trill] keys patent of 1933, US 1,926,489, and a 1925 pat to Albert, US 1,529,567, believe I have it also. If you or others wish to obtain these pats and would like my help, just ask and let me know what US state you are in. The metal/metal tenon/UJ is discussed as an improvement in --776, possibly it was a non-patentable feature! I see that as usual I have gone on at length, but am interested in passing along what I know [or surmise]. Don

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RE: Noblet bass clarinet

Author: Kev Foster
Date: 2000-01-30 22:11

My bass is 6594 and has the same Noblet emblem as yours. I called LeBlanc and they dated it to 1968, so yours would likely be from '67-'68.

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