 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rogerhayden
Date: 2008-07-13 20:03
Attachment: DSC02982.JPG (822k)
Attachment: DSC02984.JPG (779k)
Hi - I am trying to identify my daughter's Noblet clarinet. According to the Serial #, 7083, it is an Alto 55/60 made in 1983, and I believe she was told by her band instructor that it is an E-flat model. However, all the pics I see of Alto clarinets have the curved bell like a bass clarinet, and the clarinet we
have is straight like a soprano clarinet. So I just want to make sure I
identify it properly. Thanks for any help.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-07-13 20:34
This looks like an ordinary Bb Soprano. (E-flat sopranos have a much shorter bell, and e-flat Altos are much bigger).
How long is it from Bell to Mouthpiece tip?
Edit: I meant to say "shorter barrel", not "shorter bell".
--
Ben
Post Edited (2008-07-13 22:25)
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Author: rogerhayden
Date: 2008-07-13 20:53
Hi - thanks for the response! The clarinet is about 26 and 1/4 inches in length. I also thought it looked like a soprano, but am not really that knowledgeable in this area. The thing I was concerned about is that two different websites that list serial numbers for Noblet clarinets list that serial # as falling within the range for the 1983 55/60 alto clarinets, and I couldn't find a corresponding serial # match for the Noblet sopranos. Maybe I should find someone locally who knows clarinets and have them look at it in person.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-07-13 21:22
If it is the same size as the clarinets the other kids in the section are using, don't worry about it much. It's a Bb. if she plays a C and it sounds the same as the C every other kid in the section is playing, she's in the same key, which would most likely be B-flat. From the dimension you list (with the mouthpiece attached) it sounds like a Bb.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-07-13 23:52
The length (including mouthpiece) indicates a Bb soprano. An alto from 1983 would be considerably longer, have a curved metal bell and plateau style (rather than open ring) keys. The only serial number list I have seen for Leblanc only goes back to 1964. Your serial number indicates that your clarinet was probably made several years before that. The diamond-shaped logo indicates that it is a(n older) model 45, the higher-end of the two Noblet models. In its day, it was a high-end intermediate instrument. In good condition, it is a good instrument for a beginner that should take your daughter a long way and might be satisfactory for a doubler (e.g., someone whose primary instrument is saxophone). Given its age and appearance, yours may need some work to put it in good playing condition. If you haven't already, I would recommend you have it looked over by a local repair tech. I assume the band director hasn't seen it. Anyone who knows anything about clarinets can tell the difference between a soprano and an alto.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: joannew
Date: 2008-07-14 11:29
straight altos do exist, like my Uebel, made in Germany in the early 1950s, but it still has then typical alto curved neck.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2008-07-14 18:41
From the shape at top of diamond logo stamp the clarinet is definately pre- 1966. The 1966 and later instruments had a simple N at the top of diamond.
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