Does the "Full Boehm" refere to the placement of the key directly at the connection of the two joints? Sorry, still learning.
Noblet Silver clarinet...Did I make a good choice?
- Thread starter LowThudd
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Does the "Full Boehm" refere to the placement of the key directly at the connection of the two joints? Sorry, still learning.
Through a little more research, mine is likely a later model, from the 50's or 60's. Probably why the nickle is still in such nice shape. Still not disappointed. :smile:
Edit: Still not disapointed. More definative info from Clarinet Perfection (SteveSklar) dates it at 20's-30's based on the engraving and the serial number.
Edit: Still not disapointed. More definative info from Clarinet Perfection (SteveSklar) dates it at 20's-30's based on the engraving and the serial number.
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Second (and third) verse, same as the first...
Both have the unlinked register mechanism that is typical of all Noblet and what were once branded as Vito bass clarinets but more recently have been sold under the Leblanc label, and of the vast majority of Leblanc (Paris) "professional" bass clarinets. Some claim that this works just fine, others (myself included) note a "gripping" problem with jumps from below the first register break to the notes B, C, C# and D just above the register break.
(Older Leblanc (Paris) basses also have the dreaded "fork Eb" mechanism on the lower joint. A clever bit of keywork in theory, I have always found it to be poorly regulated when I encounter the things.)
The fact that both Buffet and Selmer, the two quality bass clarinet lines, have always used the linked register mechanism on their "professional grade" instruments, speaks to this as well. (It has been routinely omitted from student instruments since the 1950's, most probably due to the difficulty of protecting the long, exposed linkage to the lower joint on the back of the instrument.) While harder to keep in adjustment, it really does make for a smoother playing experience (says the veteran of over fifty (sigh) years of bass clarinet playing experience, on all types of horns (including those with manual register keys)...
Both have the unlinked register mechanism that is typical of all Noblet and what were once branded as Vito bass clarinets but more recently have been sold under the Leblanc label, and of the vast majority of Leblanc (Paris) "professional" bass clarinets. Some claim that this works just fine, others (myself included) note a "gripping" problem with jumps from below the first register break to the notes B, C, C# and D just above the register break.
(Older Leblanc (Paris) basses also have the dreaded "fork Eb" mechanism on the lower joint. A clever bit of keywork in theory, I have always found it to be poorly regulated when I encounter the things.)
The fact that both Buffet and Selmer, the two quality bass clarinet lines, have always used the linked register mechanism on their "professional grade" instruments, speaks to this as well. (It has been routinely omitted from student instruments since the 1950's, most probably due to the difficulty of protecting the long, exposed linkage to the lower joint on the back of the instrument.) While harder to keep in adjustment, it really does make for a smoother playing experience (says the veteran of over fifty (sigh) years of bass clarinet playing experience, on all types of horns (including those with manual register keys)...
I appreciate you expertise on the matter. I am learning allot. The bass clarinet does interest me, but at present the cost is prohibitive. I'll keep looking.
SOTSDO- If I am understanding, perhaps this is closer to what you like? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-CG-...3685&pid=100009&prg=1025&rk=2&#ht_9090wt_1396
Price is right, for now. Doubt it will be for long. I won't be bidding unfortunately, I've met my limit.
Musical instrument collecting on a budget is sometimes tedious, but can also be rewarding.
Price is right, for now. Doubt it will be for long. I won't be bidding unfortunately, I've met my limit.
Musical instrument collecting on a budget is sometimes tedious, but can also be rewarding.
Nope...
...for that's an older Conn instrument with (again) the unlinked register key. Horns with the linkage all show a long rod with a separate bridge key on the right rear of the horn, running from the lower joint up to the register mechanism.
Purchasing a used bass is a bit of a crapshoot. If it was a school horn (and this one was), then most likely it has been beaten all to pieces, with significant damage to the keys and tone hole on the lower joint. Those hard chair edges take their toll, as the youngster's repeated whapping on the chair with the horn over the years creates a repairman's dream.
I've priced and evaluated used horns for students in the past (before the days of eBay), and in each case, I always recommended that the parent buy a student horn rather than a used one. Many schools buy pro horns, which also get beaten to death; there, you might luck out if the school is a bit more watchful. But, you will also pay more - people aren't completely clueless, after all, and those who own basses are almost certain to have a better idea of the worth of their specialist instrument.
...for that's an older Conn instrument with (again) the unlinked register key. Horns with the linkage all show a long rod with a separate bridge key on the right rear of the horn, running from the lower joint up to the register mechanism.
Purchasing a used bass is a bit of a crapshoot. If it was a school horn (and this one was), then most likely it has been beaten all to pieces, with significant damage to the keys and tone hole on the lower joint. Those hard chair edges take their toll, as the youngster's repeated whapping on the chair with the horn over the years creates a repairman's dream.
I've priced and evaluated used horns for students in the past (before the days of eBay), and in each case, I always recommended that the parent buy a student horn rather than a used one. Many schools buy pro horns, which also get beaten to death; there, you might luck out if the school is a bit more watchful. But, you will also pay more - people aren't completely clueless, after all, and those who own basses are almost certain to have a better idea of the worth of their specialist instrument.
So I was able to hook a mouthpiece to the horn by cutting a champagne cork to fit between the horn and a spare (Aria?) plastic barrel I got in a lot auction. Not sure what key clarinet the barrel is, but the tenon is MUCH larger than a Bb Boehm. At any rate, it was the perfect size to fit a topless champagne cork in, drilled out in the center of the cork to fit the horn. This at least will help me make or buy the correct metal barrel once I get it re padded. Was able to blow some notes, I kinda like the briteness of it alot. Much different than the brightness of my Plastic Buescher.
Mumm's the word.
My horns' doppelganger is for sale in Germany for...ALOT! I'm wondering if they will actually get near what they want for it. It looks like my horn is in better condition, minus the missing barrel and case. I have aquired a hard rubber Noblet MPC from around the same era. It is really ashame the barrel is missing. I'll have to either find one that 'fits', or make a metal one. Niether of which will help the value. *Shrug*, I didn't buy it for the value, I just like it.
It's kinda like that Symphonie Artiste - Malerne stencil sold by Sears in the 1950s clarinet I saw on eBay a couple years ago with a BIN of $1700+. It's still out there with a BIN of $800ish. Too bad there's a restored one for $400ish someone else is selling.
They still think it's a Leblanc even though I emailed them a while ago that it wasn't.
I have one of these same clarinets at home I bought well over a decade ago now. When you look at it it is so student keywork ... no way it is a Leblanc just by using name reference. But I'm sure they are happy I give a nice mention of it on my Malerne webpage.
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnMalerne.htm
They still think it's a Leblanc even though I emailed them a while ago that it wasn't.
I have one of these same clarinets at home I bought well over a decade ago now. When you look at it it is so student keywork ... no way it is a Leblanc just by using name reference. But I'm sure they are happy I give a nice mention of it on my Malerne webpage.
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnMalerne.htm
That is kinda what I was thinking. I have no doubt that this Noblet is a nice, decent metal clarinet. But I would be very surprised if someone pays a grand for that one on eBay. Either way, I REALLY love the look, feel and uniquely 'punchy' tone that it has. That and not having to worry about cracks, corks and other plastic/wood issues is a pretty appealing feature.
That's my feeling on buying vintage clarinets from someone I don't know, with the exception of ...
You still have to worry about corks on some metal clarinets
If I was wanting a rubber or plastic clarinet that looked otherwise undamaged, particularly a clear one
Someone wants to give me one for free
The instrument is warrantied/guaranteed
If I was able to check over the horn before purchase
Again, that's if I needed another clarinet. My wife now has two, both needing minor repair, and I still think my hed would asplode if I played any high clarinet stuff.
Eww. Bits of Pete all over the place ....
I've only owned two professional-quality Bb clarinets, a Selmer Centered Tone and an SML. I also played a Selmer Series 10 and a 1960-ish Buffet R13 for a long while. IMO, if you have a really decent mouthpiece, a lot of the differences between pro model and intermediate model start to vanish.