 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: perryg114
Date: 2013-11-23 21:21
I have a plastic Normandy that looks exactly like a couple of Noblet 40's that I have. It has the exact same key work and physically looks exactly the same accept that is it plastic instead of wood. The serial number is 2490J. I think it is from the early to mid 60's but I am not sure. The logo says Normandy Reso-tone USA. I was wondering is anyone has one of these?
Perry
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-11-24 02:26
Perry, you have a model 14. This came in at least two versions--the early ones had RESO-TONE on the upper joint in block letters, while the later ones were marked Reso-Tone in italic script.
The Model 11 was an earlier instrument, and was made in France, rather than the USA. They have offset trill keys rather than the inline "jump" keys found on the Model 14, and lack the headless pivot screws found on later generations of Noblet clarinets. The Model 11 clarinets that I own and have examined all have unplated Maillechort keywork, while the model 14 came with bright nickel plating on the keys.
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Author: perryg114
Date: 2013-11-24 14:05
Thanks for the information. That narrowed it down a little. So maybe it is from the early 60's. I bought this horn off Ebay and it looks like it was never used. The instrument and case are at about 90%. The register key was broken at some point and silver soldered back together and some of the keys were slightly bent a little. I rebuilt it and fixed the key problems and now it looks like new. There was something wrong with mouthpiece although it did not look damaged. I think it got labeled a lemon as a result of the slight damage and the messed up mouth piece and it was never used. It plays fine now. I would call it a high end plastic horn. It is made better than any plastic horn I have seen as far as the key work goes. They keys are bright nickel plated.
Here is some info I found on it.
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnLeblancNormandy.htm#14
Perry
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-11-24 21:42
Glad you found the information useful.
Your Model 14 probably came with a Noblet 2V mouthpiece, which was made from a Riffault blank. Considering that it probably dates from the early sixties, wear and warpage have likely conspired to render it less than playable. Some mouthpiece technicians consider the Riffault-blank Noblet mouthpieces to be fine candidates for refacing--if it's not obviously damaged, you might want to set it aside for reworking at some point.
Here's what Normandy had to say about the Model 14 in 1961:
"Normandy "RESO-TONE" Bb Soprano, Model 14--The most popular clarinet ever developed for the beginning student. There is a naturalness about the voice of the Normandy "Reso-Tone" Clarinet, a superior degree of tone color and emission that brings a new sensation of comfort and pleasure to the student.
A professional-caliber instrument in every respect, the Normandy "Reso-Tone" Model 14 is made of "Viton"--the most durable plastic ever developed for this purpose. The mechanical and acoustical superiority of the "Reso-Tone" was created especially to help the average student acquire a good basic technique."
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Author: perryg114
Date: 2013-11-24 22:31
I have never had much luck trying to reface a mouthpiece. There must be an art to it and I don't have it. I expect that is a whole other level of specific craftsmanship beyond overhauling the body of the clarinet.
Perry
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