Saxaholic, I have a 56xxx Noblet clarinet that has been dated as 1966. Thus, yours is an even earlier model. I've come to really love this clarinet. It has a dark, fat, and sweet sound that's quite beautiful. Whenever I've swapped instruments with my clarinet buddies, to try out different makes & models, I've found that they have a darker and fatter sound on my Noblet than how they sound on their own clarinet. The keywork on the old Noblet clarinets has a rock-solid feel - in particular, after my repair tech did some tweeking to it. I've also found that it's helpful to have cork pads in the upper joint and leather pads in the bottom joint.
This helped to open up my sound - big time! Being a huge fan of vintage Buescher saxophones, I feel right at home with an old Noblet clarinet as both of them have a darker kind of sound. Just as Bueschers have been something of a 'best kept secret' and typically have a lower market price than other vintage horns, old Noblet clarinets are often going for a fairly inexpensive price. My clarinet buddies sometimes look down on my humble Noblet and ask why I'm not playing a Buffet. (I get the same thing about my Buescher saxophones from the guys who play Selmers.) Never the less, I've come to love the tonal qualities that I get with my old Noblet.
Answers.com ® Categories Entertainment & Arts Music Musical Instruments Woodwind Instruments Clarinet How much is Noblet Paris clarinet serial number 649B worth? How much is Noblet Paris clarinet serial number 649B worth? Doctor Sax Woodwinds, 2100 Winnebago St, Unit 105, Madison, WI 53704, USA, phone: (608) 279-9744(608) 279-9744.
These are good horns IMHO,(nicer than a plastic Vito 8-). Inexpensive,( like in the 100 to 300 dollar range) tune well and have keywork that fits my hands well, (particularly the L.H. Little finger keys) and in that respect is easier to play than my Buffet's. I have settled on a couple of good playing ones, (s/n 14xx, & 58xxx) the more recent of which is a round and full sounding clarinet with really good intonation.
There were many tried to find these, kind of a 'that dog don't hunt, let's see about this one' experience. I have had some of these with upper joint problems (split/cracked, rough bore etc.) that weren't so good. So if you are fortunate to have found one that is resonant and responsive, it is probably a keeper.
Selmer (Paris) clarinets Professional clarinets since 1885 The Series: is the letter in the serial number itself and not the model Series. Example: Selmer, Series 10S, #B0478 is a B Series made in 1980. We have no information on Selmer clarinets made before the L Series There is no definitive information available as to when particular types of instruments, such as 'Radio Improved', 'Model 55', 'Balanced Tone', etc., began insofar as serial number is concerned. Unlike some of the saxophone models, each clarinet is clearly marked as to it's model, though I believe I've seen a few exceptions in the clarinets of the late 1930's. Serial number year of manufacture no records.