 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robyn_765
Date: 2007-06-26 14:48
Hello. I recently purchased a new - to me - vintage Noblet. I have a few questions on the care of it, if anyone can help??? I am already loving the sound of it and really want to give it the best care I can!
Oiling - In reading care instructions on several internet sites I saw it is recommended to oil inside once a year only using an organic oil (one site recommended almond or olive oil). Is this about right? Since I am not certain of the previous maintenance, should I assume this needs to be done? Could I over-oil if it had been done recently? I need to have several pads replaced on it, so I was thinking this might be a good time to go ahead and do it (so I would not risk damaging new pads). Also, how often should the exterior be oiled/cleaned, etc?
Replacing pads - How do I find a trusted repairman? I have moved since the last time I had any repairs done, and don't know who to use where I am now. I am in the Greensboro, NC area....
Polishing keys - is there a way to polish the keys safely? Or should I leave this to a repairman? I am really not certain if the keywork is silver or nickel.
What other care would you suggest on this instrument since I am not certain of the care it received before coming to me??? I have read several articles on breaking in a new or not recently used clarinet gently and am following those recommendations as well.
Thanks so much for any help! This is my first wooden clarinet, and I have gone through about 5 pages of archives, finding no answers to my questions
-- Robyn
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-06-26 15:35
As far as finding a repairer goes, my suggestion would be to call or email the band directors at some local colleges or high schools and ask who they'd recommend.
The conventional wisdom seems to be that the repairers who work for the music store chains tend to be the less skilled ones; the good ones are in business for themselves. The guy I found when I went looking works out of a shop in the basement of his house and doesn't advertise; you'd never know he existed unless you were told, but two local band directors recommended him.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-06-26 16:14
If it is a vintage Noblet (pre-Leblanc) the chances are it has unplated keys.
If it's a Leblanc Noblet (inline trill keys on the top joint), it'll most likely have nickel plated keys.
In either case, it's best to leave the keys as they are instead of using any polish on them. I've seen too many clarinets that have been polished using liquid polish and the result isn't good as it gets in the key barrels and binds everything up solid.
If in doubt, leave it to the repairer rather than doing a DIY job that may initially cost you next to nothing, but will probably cost a fortune to sort out if it goes wrong.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Robyn_765
Date: 2007-06-26 17:12
RSHolmes - what a great suggestion - thank you, I will try that.
Chris P, I appreciate your wise suggestion. I am very happy with the sound, so the look of the keys is so so important, BUT I am just so excited to have the darn thing! I wanted it to look as good as it sounds to me, do you know what I mean? I will leave them exactly as they are - thanks!
BTW, it is a 1979 Noblet 40 - the Leblanc name is nowhere to be found on the pieces, but I'm not sure what you mean by in line - the trill keys are in line from a straight-on view, but not in line by a side view (first two are raised higher than lower two).
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2007-06-26 18:20
I, along with many others here, would recommend that you use The Doctor's Products. As a sponsor here, you will find a link to his website under Accessories in the right hand column. Specifically, take a look at his wood cleaner, bore oil, key oil and cork lubricants.
I cleaned up a 1960's Noblet myself last year. For the keys, I used Brasso (judiciously, I should add) and it worked well.
Post Edited (2007-06-26 18:22)
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-06-26 19:15
The trill touchpieces are always two high, two low. "Inline" means the pad cups are in line with the key levers, as opposed to offset to one side.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-06-26 20:07
1970 will be nickle-plated. You might try a polishing cloth. Not much danger of getting gunk in the key barrels. I know there are some people who use Brasso to polish keys, indeed I can think of one whose repair work I respect highly, but I disagree. Brasso is pretty abrasive. Also, in my experience, Leblanc's key plating in that time period was pretty thin (or, at least, prone to pitting, which may not be the same thing). If you get too enthusiastic, I think you could end up removing some of the plating. Even the polishing cloth will be somewhat abrasive, though.
If you have some pads replaced, ask the repair tech to see if the instrument needs oil. S/he can do it for you. (The last repair tech I used before I started doing my own work, oiled the wood anytime I brought the instrument in - whether I wanted it or not. But never charged for it.)
Another source of recommendation would be the clarinet faculty at local colleges/universities or clarinetists in local orchestras (though they may be harder to contact).
Best regards,
jnk
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