 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RedInferno
Date: 2006-01-17 04:00
Hi, I was recommended to these forums by a fellow clarinetist.
I am currently looking at buying a brand new (but discontinued) Noblet
Laureate 42. THe Price is 500 dollars.
I am currently using a Vtio Kenosha plastic student horn and am looking
for a good intermediate step up horn preferably 500 dollars or less. Is
the Noblet Laureate a good choice? Tell me more about it.
Also, there is a 'MINT overhauled noblet 45 artist' which is a current
model with no cracks or previous cracks. It has also been completely
fixed up. THe price is 425 US dollars. I was told that the
Laureate would be a better choice, as it is brand new and you are not taking any chances.
I also talked to a music store representative. He said Noblets are
marginal and sometimes inconsistent. He says some will play good, yet
others will be junk. He said Noblets would only be marginally better than
the Vito student horn i have now, which in his opinion is a very good
student horn. He recommends that if I want to step up to an intermediate horn, I should look at Buffet or perhaps Selmer instead.
I want a good intermediate step up horn, with a rich tone. I want to get more 'music and fullness' if you will, out of my playing. I have been playing clarinet for five years and am currently auditioning for my State Honors band, so I'm not an amateur player. I sure hope this description helps you guys help me make a prudent descision about a good intermediate clarinet.
I thank you for your prompt replies. This looks like a good place to be. Thanks for your help.
Many thanks,
RedInferno
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2006-01-17 12:28
As one amateur to another.
I would say it depends on who you buy it from.
I used to play on a Vito plastic clarinet. I then bought a used Noblet from a person that advertised in the classifieds on this page. I believe that she still dapples in buying and selling used clarinets and at one time had lots of Noblets. It was sold to me in a honest way and represented as a "used instrument with some wear" It did have lots of wear but the pads were all new and and the upper joint had upgraded pads, just like she said they were. It was a cosmetic nightmare but it played good and was loads better than my Vito. The trick, I think was, that it had recieved some proper attention before it was sold to me.
I paid less than $300.00 for it and was very satified. I still have it and play sometimes.
I have since moved further up the scale to better newer clarinet but I feel I had gotten a good deal with the Noblet and do not regret it.
Make sure that it is has been adjusted.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2006-01-17 13:47
If both are available "in person", play them and see which one you like. Keep in mind that the mouthpiece and barrel will make a lot of difference. I picked up a 1950s vintage Noblet Eb and it was a monster, even though it had been professionally overhauled. A change of barrel and mouthpiece completely transformed it. Although it has some intonation problems, particularly in the altissimo, it plays beautifully. A good Noblet will be an excellent intermediate clarinet. If you buy either of the two you are considering without playing first, you are getting a pig-in-the-poke, which is probably true of 90% of clarinet purchases.
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Author: RedInferno
Date: 2006-01-18 02:44
Thanks you both for your opinions. The Noblet Laureate is brand new, although i am buying online, it is being sold by a previous Leblanc retailer.
The Noblet 45 I am not sure about, although they say it has been overhauled.
So, the Laurete is brand new, being sold by a Lebalnc retailer. I asked questions about the horn, and they were willing to take extra pictures and answer some questions.
Rest assured I WILL be able to place a dispute if the instrument is not as described though,
RedInferno
Post Edited (2006-01-18 02:49)
Post Edited (2006-01-18 02:52)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2006-01-18 03:04
Funny, I was just thinking this evening about two Noblet clarinets I owned. Both sounded the same, and I thought them remarkably consistent. I have a very, very high opinion of older Noblet clarinets. I wish I had held on to mine, one of which I had bought on eBay - sadly - only for the Bonade mouthpiece that came with it. Had I kept the Noblet (rather than the Bonade mpc.), I would have been better serviced.
Older Noblets (c. 1950-1970s) are consistent and strong-playing, delightful clarinets. Not the most refined sound, but a sound all their own and always the same. (IMHO).
Bill.
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