 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-10-26 16:09
The daughter (aged 11) of a friend has been offered to buy a Noblet Paris for $425. Serial number is A46053.
The price sounds high to me. Does anyone have any advice?
Also, if not this horn, any suggestions as to acceptable price range for a student quality horn? At this point, it's not clear whether the daughter will stay with clarinet for the long haul.
Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-10-26 16:21
It depends upon how old the Noblet is. If it's almost new (a year or two) and then in excellent condition, it's worth the $450.00. When I was buying Leblancs for students (and purchasing about 30 a year), I bought the Noblet because it is an excellent wooden clarinet that a student can play all through school and even the first year or so in college--or until they decide to be a more serious clarinetist and need a professional instrument.
They have a nice tone and that ever-so-important good intonation famous with Leblanc clarinets.
If it needs pads, or is 3 years old or more, then offer less.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-10-26 17:07
We're checking the age based on serial number and will take that into consideration as you suggest.
The condition - I wouldn't call it excellent. The nickel keys are somewhat worn, but the wood doesn't appear to have cracks. The pads look okay, but I won't know until Monday when I stick a reed in it and play.
Thanks for your advice. Very helpful as usual!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-10-27 15:07
If the keys are worn and you wouldn't call it excellent, offer $275.00. There are lots of these around at about that price.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-27 18:31
I bought two Noblets that were not more than five years old, truly in immaculate, mint condition for $225. each, from two different sellers, at two different times.
I knew they went for more, that's one reason I snatched up those two quickly. I sold one for $500.00 and kept the other for my son to use at school for wind ensamble and/or concert band.
But I just want to point out that in the long run that, if you don't feel comfortable with the price/condition of the instrument, for every seemingly good deal that comes down the pike, there are more and better ones coming along if you just look out for them.
Unless you are in a hurry, then you have to settle for what there is.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-27 18:40
One more thing, if the child is 11 years old and doesn't already play the clarinet, I would buy her a plastic student model (Selmer, Leblanc, Buffet, Yamaha.)
Children at that age are not very responsible at times, and if the music lessons are to be at a public or private elementary or middle school, I would be wary of spending a great deal of money at first.
You don't even know if she will stick with it. Hopefully she will, and then you can go out and buy her a Noblet or some such.
There are lots of good, used, name brand, plastic student models for sale relatively inexpensively at most music stores. Don't buy Chinese instruments and don't buy cheap instruments. Again: Buy good instruments at inexpensive prices.
Still, nothing wrong with buying her a Noblet to statrt out with!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: willie
Date: 2001-10-28 05:09
I agree with Peter. The Noblet with serve your daughter well if it is in good condition. The main thing to consider is that every thing is working properly so all the notes will play. You didn't say anything about the mouthpiece. If it has the stock mouthpiece, I would suggest getting a good hand faced student mouthpiece as most clarinets, even expencive ones come with less than desirable mouthpieces. After she gets to a point she can play a few notes, have her try out some different mouthpieces to see what works best for HER. What works for my daughter or I, may not work for your daughter. We all have different chops, different horns and such. The main thing is that the horn blows easy and is capable of playing all the notes. I've seen too many kids quit after while, thinking they had no talent, when the problem was their horn or equipment all along. As for the plastic clarinet, Its not a bad idea to keep an eye out for a good one if she goes on to marching band where the outdoor environment is not favorable to a good wooden horn.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
