 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2022-02-16 21:48
I have two clarinets both marked "D Noblet Paris" within an oval, with a harp above the oval and the initial DN intertwined beneath. So, one of the very much older markings (whilst still being Leblanc-owned). Interestingly, the one with obviously older keywork (no adjusting screw for throat A, single axle for LH pinky levers, no tenon caps, old-style thumbrest) has the higher serial #. The older instrument is stamped 9564 and the newer is 7875. I have seen this whacky numbering with several other makers. But I would expect a new numbering system to be like Penzel-Mueller, where they starting adding a letter, etc. Maybe Leblanc was counting down! Only so many more Noblets to make until we're at zero!!!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2022-02-16 22:02
Noblet reset their SNs a variety of times.
In 1971 they restarted with a new numbering system (just numbers), *and* a prevailing numbering system that had a prefix "A".
In 1982 they did it again except with a prefix "B"
I've come across which seems like "old stock sitting on the shelf" instruments that had old keywork, but a new serial number. It's like they made xx amount per year and some that weren't sold were stuck on the shelf .... of which at some point in history was pulled off and sold.
Then in the waning years you had the old stock Leblancs show up as Noblets.
I tend to look at the keywork and emblem first, then look at the serial number and see if it all jives or not.
I was always curious of the serial numbers scheme was related to a new plant manager.
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2022-02-16 22:04)
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2022-02-18 02:14
Stephen Sklar wrote:
<<Then in the waning years you had the old stock Leblancs show up as Noblets>>
Would that possibly explain why my Noblet Eternite' has sharply scupted offset trill keys like the Leblanc Concerto, Opus and Ambiance rather than the flat-top in-line trill keys like Noblets of that era?
It has a "B" prefix to the 84XXX serial number.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2022-02-18 03:15
<< Would that possibly explain why my Noblet Eternite' has sharply scupted offset trill keys >>
Compare it against a Leblanc Regency. I think both have same type of keywork and only a metal cap on the upper joint top. I've never really compared them.
I bought a late model Noblet A clarinet with their last weird emblem. It had the old flat sheet trill key guide .. and ironically had same bore, keywork and tonehole dimensions as my older Leblanc LL A. They were virtually twins.
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2022-02-18 05:11
Interesting. The photos of the Regency I find have the usual Noblet flat in-line trill keys. Very different from this Noblet Eternite'. These trills keys are definitely Buffet-style offset with the same profile. But I do note that this Eternite has a metal cap on the top of the upper joint only.
Equally interesting are your LL A and Noblet A. I was told by an exttremely knowledgeable tech that my 1966 (based on serial number) Leblanc LL A is actually an intermediate (Noblet?) instrument based on it's lack of a pin-in-hole left hand F#/C# lever. I don't have access to a Noblet A or any other A for further comparison. But it raises some interesting questions about what Leblanc was doing with their A clarinets and their marques.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2022-02-18 05:56
You are correct. The Noblet A and Leblanc A both had "lifters" which aren't connected 'ala the pin-in hole.
Although the Eb touch key mechanism is separate from the F on both the Leblanc and Noblet A. Whereas with the Noblet Bb the Eb and F touches are inline like most other clarinets.
Since the separate Eb and F mechanisms are a "Leblanc" thing, I would tend they are more Leblanc, than Noblet. But then when Buffet bought the Leblanc plant and all the inventory was shipped to Leblanc USA they probably tried to put together as many clarinets as possible to sell out what ever inventory they had of bodies and keywork. But then my Leblanc A was technically a couple decades "older" than the Noblet A.
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2022-02-18 06:37)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2022-02-18 18:53
Interesting exchange! Thanks.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: clarimad
Date: 2022-02-20 19:30
Bill - I too have an older Noblet with the oval and D Noblet Paris with the harp and the DN intertwined except mine is a plateau. It does have the throat A screw and also the LH pinky keys have two screws. Mine bears the serial number 7570 but so far I've been unable to date it.
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