 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-10-24 18:45
I have just bought a stunning looking and sounding Clarinet, but am unsure how old it is and what company made it, Leblanc perhaps? (the owner was not sure, he had several vintage instruments).
I have read a post which goes thorugh a long process of trying to find out how old a particular D.Noblet clarinet was, but does not shed light on this one really.
The logo on the each peice (including the Bell) is a oblong with a lyre at the top with the letters D and N stamped on top of eachother underneath the oblong. Inside the oblong is D.Noblet (not italics) with PARIS underneath. Also on all the peices except the Bell (the original mouth peice is not with it) are the words MADE IN FRANCE, serial number is 2365. The keys don't look silver to me.
More importantly it sounds fab, he had a R13 which he played and then the D.Noblet and the sound was a bit more 'throaty' on the D.Noblet which I like on the lower register and the higher register was nice and clear. Obviously I played it as well, but he was a seasoned player and I prefer to listen to an instrument from afar to appreciate the tone.
The feel of the R13 was slightly more refined, but the D.Noblet was good as it has just had an overhaul with new 'pro' pads.
Any info would be welcome on its history, thanks
Jason
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-10-24 20:46
I can't help you on how old your Noblet is, but I can tell you that they are really good instruments. I've sold tons of them to student/intermediate players and highly recommend them for the reasons you mentioned as well as more. They have a great tone and are really tough mechanically. They're a wood instrument and will carry the player about as far as he/she wants to go until he/she is ready to purchase a professional model like the Buffet R-13.
The Leblanc instruments (like the Noblet) are noted for their acurate intonation--especially in the upper registers. This is a boost to the younger, less experienced player. The R-13 requires developing a good ear and matching tones with religious fervor--something the beginning/intermediate player doesn't want to add to their practice time while learning the basics of music and playing the clarinet.
You might check out Leblanc's website and get some more information on Noblets. Go to http://www.gleblanc.com and see what you can find out.
I played a Noblet for years before "stepping up" to something more sophisticated.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-10-25 00:41
It appears that it might be a Denis Noblet instrument, but the markings don't match exactly the reference I have, so I can only guess.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-10-25 01:40
Yes, I know the clarinet of which you speak. I've overhauled a couple of them and they have a nice big sound. Yes, they were marketed by LeBlanc at the time, but I've tried to pinpoint the era on these as well and believe they were made just after WWII. The only evidence I have of this is the type of case and other circumstantial evidence such as stock mouthpieces, etc. LeBlanc wasn't any help or wanted to be of any help when I wrote them a few years ago about this particular model. As I recall they have a large bore and are not polycylindrical. The models that I overhauled did have some undercutting, especially in the lower joint. I believe there was some undercutting in the upper joint also, but it has been a couple of years since I last worked on one. I sold it to a lawyer who was getting back into playing clarinet after an absence of several years. Good luck with your research.
John
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-10-25 07:21
The bore does seem very large, I compared all the peices to the R13, and the 'hole width' looked much larger on each peice. So is it not a standard Noblet much like the intruments today? Where is he bore measured?
Jason
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-25 17:21
Jason,
I'm jealous! You're finding much better pieces than I am!
Just kidding, congratulations, nice instrument!
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Author: Jason M
Date: 2001-10-25 18:11
Now all I have to do is learn to play it correctly..... ha ha!
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