 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-10-12 22:15
Hello, so I am thinking about buying this Noblet bass clarinet. But it only has a single vent mechanism. I know some ppl argue that the double is better, but do you think it matters all that much? Otherwise, it's priced fairly well, and seems to have good pads.
Thanks,
Contragirl
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-12 22:49
Hi CG - On back I had a Nob B C, a pretty good cl as I recall. For my playing ease of the lower clarion notes, I kept on trying basses, Leblancs [LL !] etc until I found my Selmer 33 with DRKeying as we have discussed frequently. With ALL leaks stopped !, I had no further research to do. I believe you have to go to the low C in the Leblanc line to get DRK, which is my requirement. I have played only a very few in the Leb "stable" which had a decent clarion without DRK. You might find one, if so grab it, as they {I believe} go for lower prices than Sels and Buffs, generally considered to be the best [??] . Dave S and Walter should have input here too, I hope. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-10-12 23:15
I have an old Noblet bass as a backup. It's not a professional horn but it has played very well for me. I still sometimes use it in pit situations where I don't need an extended range. I think these were pretty well made and most of the comments I've seen/heard from other owners have been positive. If the one you're looking at is in playing condition, plays well for you, can be had for $400 - $700, and that's all you can afford right now, I'd say it's worth serious consideration. (If you can buy it in that price range in playable condition, you shouldn't lose much if you decide later to sell it.)
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-10-13 02:35
CG,
You may be pleased to know that I played a Noblet bass all through college (YOUR college too, as you are aware) and upon graduating, knowing that the Navy would probably not allow me to bring a bass clarinet aboard a nuclear submarine, I sold it to Dr. Norman Heim, who was then the head of the clarinet department at said college.
I guess mine must have been a reasonably good instrument. Since then I've played quite a few, some of which were pretty good, but the majority were mediocre players. They are, at any rate, well built and rugged. Worth a try.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-10-13 14:13
I should have added that, mechanically and acoustically, the Noblet bass clarinet seems to be essentially identical to the Leblanc 400 with the exception of having a corked-tenon neck ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) rather than a metal-sleeve-tenon design ![[up]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley24.gif) .
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-10-13 19:34
I went ahead and bought the bass... It was $450 on ebay (plus shipping) I assume that if it doesn't work out, I can always resell it and maybe come out even.
Person didn't know if it was a single or double vent mech, but I need a bass. So as long as it plays, I'm good. :P
They said that their teacher kept it in playing condition. Hoping for the best.
--CG
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-10-13 20:25
At least it's not a BCSO (Bass Clarinet-Shaped Object). It is, of course, a single-register-vent design as are all the Leblanc basses with the exception of the top model (430?).
Makes a great lamp, so they say..........![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-13 20:41
Congrats, CG, I looked it up on EBAY, I like the corked neck tenon better than the sax-type metal joint, couldn't see any register key on neck, so assume Single R K. With only a single F/C pad [Sel etc have pairs], the pad rise-clearance may need to be substantial to give good venting for the G/D, similarly for the E/B pad?? Dave S, please advise/ correct? I believe your Nob may have the large "Stubbins" pad, beneath the reg key, which should give an excellent pinch Bb, and I hope it may have the L J rt. side pad for producing the "fork" Ab/Eb, which I found to be very helpful, eliminating the need for a left L F alt. lever. Good luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-10-13 21:00
Don,
In my experience the majority of Noblet basses had a reasonably good 'pinch' Bb but very sharp and stuffy 'long' clarion B and C. I have run into a few (including a Leblanc Esprit which is identical except for labelling and a higher price) which had decent lower clarion response and intonation, for reasons I never could figure out.........
Just curious, why do you like a corked neck better than a metal sleeve joint? I find that the corked necks inevitably wobble, and because their tenons are too short they cannot be pulled out sufficiently to correct sharpness.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-13 21:25
Hi -Dave - TKS for response, CG may need more expert help than my poor observations. On the Nob and Leb basses I've had [worked on] I always felt that they had a bit of neck leakage, and was skittish about trying to reduce the socket diameter, also wondered about leakage between the U J wood and the metal "sleeve". A time or two I used cork grease on the joint, which seemed to help as judged by long-note response. Also I believe the air pressure up there when playing the long notes is somewhat higher than comparably on saxes. Yes corks can wobble and leak also, but communicate the problem better IMHO. Got to stop, C B reh shortly !! Great to talk. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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