 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2015-08-22 02:59
Hi,
I was haunting the web's online trading spaces and found on Gumtree a plateau clarinet listed as an 'Noblet Eb'. The very great price, great looking condition and my opened-minded view of plateau keywork (I mostly play sax and flute) led me to purchase it (in a snap!).
While waiting for its delivery closer observations of the supplied photos led me to believe it was not an Eb at but either a D or C instrument.
When it arrived its pitch obvious. A very mint condition, all wood parts, a custom model 45 (or 50?) in C with full plateau keywork. Serial A10795 apparently is around 1970?
I say "a custom model 45 or 50" because I can see Noblet made the 45 in C but the plateau model 50 was only advertised in Bb and Eb.
Has anyone ever seen or read of a plateau C Noblet?
V
Post Edited (2015-08-22 03:06)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-22 03:10
Older Bill Lewington's price lists may have these on there as they were the UK main agent for Leblanc until the '90s. Apparently they offered full Boehms in keys other than just Bb and A.
I've seen a full Boehm Noblet Bb on Clarinets Direct which I was surprised by as I thought only the LL was available in all forms and Noblets were either 17/6 or plateaux.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-22 13:13
Attachment: selmerseries9clarinets 001.JPG (702k)
That's in mint condition! Shame the grease pot has gone missing, but you should be able to get hold of a black plastic one from one of the French or Italian oboe makers that will fit (they're around 20-21mm diameter and 20-21mm in height including lid). Or make one yourself or have someone turn one up for you out of delrin or grenadilla.
A plateaux clarinet is an otherwise standard 17 key clarinet but has covered fingerplates instead of open toneholes.
Full Boehms have 20 keys and 7 rings and along with the regular 17 key/6 rings instruments have the additional forked Eb/Bb mechanism (the ring for LH finger 3), articulated C#/G# with an extra C#/G# touchpiece for RH finger 2, LH Ab/Eb lever and low Eb - and some makers have even made plateaux full Boehms which probably weigh a ton!
See attachment of a full Boehm Selmer Series 9 A, Bb and Eb clarinets.
Here's the link showing the Noblet full Boehm: http://www.clarinetsdirect.biz/NobletFB.html
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-08-23 13:33)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2015-08-22 18:41
Wow, what an amazing find.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mirko996
Date: 2015-08-23 19:09
I find one sell Selmer Serie 9 price 300€ but is far from me... very nice clarinet but he need a new cork in the middle... i think i would like take...
however i never seen a c clarinet plateau
Post Edited (2015-08-23 19:35)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-23 20:26
Was it a full Boehm Series 9 C clarinet? I really want one of those!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2015-08-24 00:39
Thanks for all the replies. I never thought this horn was a full Boehm.
I found a pdf in the link below of a 1974 Leblanc price guide of a plateau in C (model 200 in A, C or Eb). I know Leblanc made all Noblet clarinets in the 20th century.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=225458&t=225458
Is there much or any difference between a Leblanc 200 and a Noblet 45 or they easily distiguished by features/playabilty? Were they made in the same factory in the early 1970s?
By the way this clarinet is a gem to play. I was expecting some leaks to contend with. But it's in simply amazing condition. I suspect a pro player had it kept aside for those odd jobs requiring a C instrument. It's got a really lovely tone and feels nices in the hands. Less punchy sounding than my Bb. But that could be the plateau keywork?
However, I'm not really intending to play a C much and still looking for a nice wood Eb!
V
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2015-09-09 00:20
Attachment: IMG_20150909_061307145.jpg (506k)
Update!
As of yesterday the odd but fun little Noblet C plateau has been indirectly traded in for a lovely Leblanc Esprit Eb.
Just what I was originally hunting for!
It's a beautiful instrument (see the 'new baby' photo), with amazing tone and smooth keywork. Intonation is questionable, but I'm more to blame than it I suspect and I will improve. The tuner is my best friend currently!
Does anyone know when the Esprit model came into (and exited) being? I understand it was offered between 1997 and 2003? Or was it released earlier? My Eefer's serial is B851xx.
And am I correct in my thinking that Tom Ridenour was the designer for this model range as well as the Infinite and Opus models?
Since the Leblanc buyout it appears very little information is out there, particularly for the last iteration of models.
V
Post Edited (2015-09-09 00:25)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
