 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jean-Michel Jefferson
Date: 2001-05-24 10:55
I'm a lapsed student (gave up at 12 for a career of coffee, smoking and girls) and have now picked up the clarinet again at 36. I bought a silver Noblet Paris (1920s) clarinet and am intending to have it restored as it seems a fun and beautiful instrument to learn on. Can anyone tell me anything about this clarinet or where to go to find out more?
From what I have found out so far, serial number 4477 seems to be circa 1920. Metal clarinets in general were cheap, for hard-up people and military bands. But Noblet was a quality outfit and the sound I hear out of this clarinet seems pretty decent to me. The action seems excellent & I cannot believe this is not a quality instrument.
If anyone can help me find out more about this clarinet I would be very grateful.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-24 11:08
Where did you find the serial number/age information? As far as I know this is not recorded anywhere.
Can you describe the case style? i.e. padded or just lined and otherwise open? 1920 seems a bit far back for metal Noblets but I could be wrong. Noblet however did make them for quite some time continuing on into the 1960s.
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Author: Jean-Michel Jefferson
Date: 2001-05-24 11:20
The serial number/age was as listed by Lennon Hall Antiques in NY. I can see the serial number & they said it related to the 1920s. it apparently belonged to a Broadway composer and came from a well-known shop "Universal Musical Instrument Company", Broadway NYC.
The case is rectangular, 560mm long, seems to be leather on wood, blue padded material inside, clarinet is one piece with separate mouthpiece, mouthpiece has no identifying marks remaining, the case tapers gently from the horn end to the mouthpiece end, 2 flip catches closing upwards, wire handle, lockable central catch opening from left to right.
Thanks for your interest.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-05-24 11:32
Did you get this via eBay? I recall your description.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-24 12:12
Padded cases came in later. Either the case is a replacement or the antique store did not have accurate information on the relationship of dates to time. Either is equally probable.
However, the metal Noblets are good horns (I have two) and are worth restoring.
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Author: Jean-Michel Jefferson
Date: 2001-05-24 12:21
Thank you Dee. The main thing I was worried about was buying a decent clarinet on a tight budget, so your words come as a great relief. It looked, felt and sounded good, but I'm well aware I'm very much a beginner at this game, so my personal opinion was suspect. Based on your advice I will definitely go ahead with restoration (I was going to anyway but this makes it easier to explain to my wife!)
Do you have any advice on reconciling the serial number or box to a rough date of manufacture? Also, if you have any idea about value I would welcome your opinion.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-25 01:56
Since Leblanc/Noblet (and many other manufacturers) did not keep serial number records prior to the 1960s, there often isn't a good way to determine the age of an instrument. Sometimes you are lucky enough to find someone who bought an instrument new in their youth and then you can establish an approximate date for that serial number.
There are serial number lists for some brands & model clarinets are around and it is possible that the antique store did not realize that the information was not pertinent to the Noblet. Some people are under the false impression that serial number alone will pinpoint the year (like VIN numbers on cars). However each manufacturer had its own number schemes and numbered each model independently.
This evening and looked at the two metal Noblet clarinets that I have. The following is speculation on my part. The older one (SN 12xx) appears to be in its original case although I have no way to prove it. The case style would seem to indicate the 1930s or perhaps early 1940s. The other one (SN 38xx) is definitely not in its original case as it doesn't fit into the case properly. While I have no information on how many metal clarinets per year that Noblet made, it would seem reasonable to guess that they are only a few years apart in age at most.
As far as value goes, most metal clarinets are "tarnished" by the reputation of the vast numbers of low grade student instruments made. Noblets seem to typically sell between $50 and $100 on eBay. So don't expect to get any real money back out of them. They are worth fixing up for fun as they are decent players being at least of intermediate quality and being made by a highly respected company (Leblanc).
There's no "shame" in doing the eBay thing so long as you are aware of and willing to accept the attendent risks. Just ask plenty of questions, don't bid too high, and expect that clarinets will need an overhaul.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2001-05-25 03:58
Well, I have purchased several metal clarinets on eBay and what I have learned the most and the hardest is how little the sellers know compared with how certain they can be. I corresponded with the seller because I was very suspicious of the age (but then what I know is not so good, either.) Basically, the estate knew that the the broadway composer had owned a clarinet for a long time (maybe going back to the 1920s] and that this clarinet was found in a closet. Nobody knew whether this was the clarinet that he actually played, or even if it really belonged to him.
I wrote to LeBlanc a few years ago and was given a little information suggesting, among other things, that numbers around yours would data from the 1950s. However, they stated that LeBlanc had only made one model of metal clarinet. (well, that is all they remembered). There is no question that some of the detailing had changed over the years. Moreover, there was a Leblanc metal albert on eBay earlier this year with very similar posts to the model I had.. So, no telling for sure, but post WW II seems certain.
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Author: Jean-Michel Jefferson
Date: 2001-05-25 04:18
Thanks for your interest, time and comments. I took the clarinet to the restorer today having decided I did really get a bargain as a beginners instrument - he confirmed the quality, excellent pads & silver finish although he was admittedly biaised against metal. I've also sent a letter off to LeBlanc, hoping for some sort of a reply. For several hours I was worried I'd been an eBay fool, but it looks like I came out allright.
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-05-25 04:55
You will find a lot of folks (techs, teachers, conductors, etc.) that hate metal clarinets. Mainly because of the reputation they gained from the thousands of low quality models made, fitted with low grade mouthpieces, low grade reeds, and being played by young students with undeveloped embouchures. Try out different mouthpiece/ lig/ reed combinations and you will be amazed at how that horn can sound. Fine tuning can be done with pad heigths and such.
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Author: Jean-Michel Jefferson
Date: 2001-05-25 05:27
I was sure it sounded good, even with the poor mouthpiece I tried. Now I just can't wait to get it back. Roll on Petite Fleur (my ambition). Thanks for the encouragement Willie.
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Author: leekal
Date: 2010-02-01 13:33
Attachment: noblet 002.JPG (850k)
Attachment: noblet 004.JPG (534k)
Attachment: noblet 005.JPG (587k)
I have a Noblet b flat metal clarinet with serial number 3625. It appears to be in it's original case. The case has worn corners, but it reasonably good condition other than the worn corners. I had the clarinet checked by a local tech and he said it was in good shape except that it needs new pads. It has an inexpensive mouth piece, but everything else appears to be original. It has the 'rounded' emblem that simply said Noblet with France below it. It also says "made in France" just below the mouth piece.
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