Just bought a Noblet alto [Archive]

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bkiser

06-14-2005, 01:08 AM

I just won an auction on Ebay for a decent looking Noblet alto (15xxx). Looks like quite a nice horn. Should make a nice little backup to my R&C R1 Jazz! Actually, I am hoping that the horn has the nice French core sound to play classical. If it doesnt meet expectations, I suspect I will be able to get my money back out of it locally with no problems, though I shudder to think of a rare horn possibly ending up with a middle school student that think they just have an "old" horn, as opposed to some flashy new blue/green thing from China.

06-14-2005, 03:51 AM

Let us know what you think when you get it.

Regards,
George

bkiser

06-19-2005, 12:52 AM

I received the Noblet today. I was not sure what to expect since, a. it was purchased from Ebay, and b. the description in the auction stated that the pads were bad and needed replacement. Honestly, I was expecting more to be examining the mechanics of the horn rather than playing it much. Boy, was I surprised!

When I opened the box, I discovered a plain black case marked Leblanc in EXCELLENT condition. After opening the case, I found the horn to be in exactly the physical condition described- some spotting on the lacquer, some "case rash" on the bell and neck, but overall a beautiful horn. The lacquer is definitely original, but has that nice dark gold tone to it. The serial number is in the 15xxx range, so I am not sure what the age is, but it most reminds me of a Selmer SBA. Which brings me to the playing...

The pads were in much better condition than described. None are torn, only a few small ones are even dark. There is a small leak down around low D, which makes that D pretty stuffy, but it still speaks. The rest of the horn is pure, vintage, French sax. I would love to know who owned this horn as it was obviously SETUP back in the day. Everything seems to be in excellent adjustment- corks sanded, etc, PERFECTLY. The guys at Beaugnier definitely knew what they were doing. I originally bought the horn thinking that a beginning student I am taking on shortly would like it, but, um, no...that ain't gonna happen. I am thinking that this one will be sticking around for awhile, unless I run across someone who REALLY wants it.

Why is there no "buzz" about these horns? Soundwise, I would slot this horn somewhere in between a Buffet SDA and a Mark VI...more voice than the Buffet and more "sweet" than the last VI I played. My main alto is a R&C R1 Jazz, which is another animal altogether, but this horn just blows so sweetly it makes you want to keep playing.

Brian

06-20-2005, 04:09 AM

Thanks for the review, Brian.

I completely agree!

Regards,
George

Saxturtle

06-20-2005, 07:22 PM

I happen to have a Noblet Tenor (no idea when manufactured - too little data and/or intrest in Noblet, I guess). I had the opportunity to hear someone else play it awhile back and I was shocked at the sound! Big, full and smoooth. I asked my wife if it sounded the same way when I played it (from the pointy end it always sounded a bit tinny to me). She said, ' It sounds just like it does when you're playing it'. Cool! These horns are definitely worth more than they seem to command in the market (no, not trying to pump & sell - my mom & dad bought it for me in '74). Enjoy it - you have a rare horn most've never heard of.

bkiser

07-10-2005, 03:48 AM

Update:

Went through the horn today and fixed several leaks. This horn just plain sings in the upper register, and is pretty full down low as well now. I got together with a friend of mine who is quite a player and we A/B'd this horn vs Selmer S80-I, Buffet SDA, R&C R1 Jazz gold plate. The S80 was the easiest to play as it had a very recent, very good setup. Tone was full, but rather character-less. R&C had a great sound, but needs to be setup. The Noblet has a great great vintage French sound with excellent projection. It is a little uneven compared to the newer saxes, but intonation was spot on. It absolutely blew a good SDA out of the water! If I had a buyer for my R&C, I would sell it and invest in a major overhaul of this Noblet!! My buddy is absolutely green with envy and offered me his SDA in trade....

goodsax

07-10-2005, 04:05 AM

Are there different Noblet models? Or, is it safer to focus on a certain s/n series to find a sax similar to that which you have described? You know, when someone says they have a killer Selmer, or B&S, or Keilwerth, it's important I think to know which model they're talking about. I've seen a few Noblet altos and tenors on eBay, but haven't noticed any reference to specific model names or numbers, just Noblet Paris. Have you found it to be the same?

bkiser

07-10-2005, 10:49 PM

I have seen variations by serial number with the lowest 9xxx or so having left side bell tone holes. Mine is 16xxx and they are on the right. There has been a bare-brass alto listed on ebay lately which is like mine. The Beaugnier horns are pretty easy to spot if you study saxpics. I spotted one that looked MINT on a store website for a good bit under $1000, and I am waiting to hear if its still available. Its a Vito rather than Noblet, but they are all stencils anyway. These horns are not as sophisticated as a Mark 6...I dont want to overblow these horns. A better comparison would be to call it an SDA with better intonation and a fuller tone, but still with the singing top end!

goodsax

07-11-2005, 03:12 AM

...A better comparison would be to call it an SDA with better intonation and a fuller tone, but still with the singing top end!Thanks for the input, but since one my altos is an SDA, it isn't necessarily a morale lifter. Now I may have to sell it. Or, maybe not. ;)

Saxturtle

07-11-2005, 02:05 PM

My tenor has the word 'standard' engraved on the bell, so no doubt about where it sits in the heirarchy ;) . The bell keys are on the left side of mine, perhaps also denoting an intermediate horn. The sound is big and full, though, but achieved with much greater resistance than my Super 20. This may be due to tha fact that it's never had a tune-up or a pad replaced. I absolutely never had intonation problems with the Noblet. It was built right the first time.

pebjb

09-26-2005, 04:07 AM

Saxturtle

09-26-2005, 03:49 PM

Hey, pebjb

No earthly idea what the pad/resos are on the beastie! As I alluded to earlier, it's been completely neglected, no pads replaced, no regulating...My parents bought it for me in '74 for @ $225 from a music store in Denver Colo (my dad was stationed @ Lowry AFB at the time). I played it through college (not a music major) and since it just kept going and since I was a casual player at best I never even thought to try sprucing it up. It 's most likely a real mutt from the pad/reso perspective. It had a hard life before I got it...

jimmehMarkVI

09-26-2005, 03:58 PM

just out of curiosity I put noblet into ebay and saw this;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NOBLET-Metallklarinette-in-B-BOHM-vergoldet_W0QQitemZ7351419315QQcategoryZ107721QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem

I dont think i've ever seen a metal clari before quite like this one.

pebjb

09-28-2005, 04:34 AM

Thanks for the reply Saxturtle. If you look at the resos, the originals should be flat metal. rivited, I believe. They put those domed plastic reso pads on my horn and they don't seat right. I think I'm going to get the right pads and do it myself. The horn sounded great with the right pads. I would like to know if yours has the flat metal resos, thanks.

Saxturtle

09-28-2005, 05:03 AM

Yeah they're all riveted. And all original, I'm thinking now. Send an email address and I'll send over some pix I just took.

pebjb

09-29-2005, 05:10 AM

Saxturtle, I'd love to see the pictures. Send to pebjb@aol.com

Saxturtle

09-29-2005, 02:31 PM

On the waaaay!

singlereed

09-29-2005, 04:00 PM

I've got a Noblet metal clarinet like the one above, cost me $35 on eBay - about double that with postage and it cost me abot $20 to have a minor adjustment here and there.

Sigmund451

11-07-2005, 05:43 AM

bkiser

11-20-2005, 12:15 AM

Differences as compared to mine (which was sold to a student but recently came back home!)...

Color- I think yours it probably a relacquer based on color and depth of engraving. All that I have seen have very deep engraving going through the lacquer.

Keywork- mine is lacquered, bell keys on the right, and has a little G# articulation gizmo (cant tell if yours does from the pics).

Hopefully yours will show up in playable condition so you can give us a report! The action on mine is very smooth and light, but has a very vintage feel to it. If yours is in good playing condition, I suspect you will play it and be VERY happy for what you got for the $$! Mine has an average low-end, but above G2 just sings with a full voice and is fantastic in the altissimo register (c4 is as high as I can go).

If you have gotten it...lets hear about it!

Tharruff

11-20-2005, 12:22 PM

I also have a Noblet Alto, bought from another one of the forum members a couple of years ago. It has a couple of leaky pads so I have never been able to give it a good workout. One of these days I'll put some pads in it and try it out again. As I recall, I was pretty happy with hoe it played even with the leaks but couldn't really form a good opinion of it because of the leaks.

My serial number is just below 7000 and the bell keys are on the right side. (away from the body as you play and unlike Sigmund's, above) Mine is lacquered brass, and so are the keys.

honkytone

11-25-2005, 07:08 AM

I wanted an alto to noodle around on so I went fishing on ebay for a cheap one that might sound decent. From what Ive read here you guys have had good experiences with Noblet altos. I nabbed one for 99 bucks plus shipping. Supposedly the pads are alright...Im counting on having to replace those but if I dont have to it will be an added bonus. I will post the results of my findings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7361941646&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

anyone know much about what this one is???

That's definitely a Beaugnier, judging by the LH pinky keys, the bell to body brace, etc. I just bought a silver Beaugnier alto with very similar features, but with RH bell keys, which I'd assume to be a little later in time. I'm curious to know what the serial number is on your Noblet.

VeryBari

12-01-2005, 09:37 PM

Howdy, folks... I felt the need to register here because it seems to be the only place on the Net where I can find a discussion of the Noblet saxophone. I received my Noblet Paris baritone on Monday, and I must say I am thrilled by the sound of this $500 special.
I know I am going to inflict you fine folks with all manner of questions and updates regarding this horn, so let me make this brief: the reason I replied to this thread first is to contribute my observations on resonators. This bari has all flat riveted resonators except for 3 of the small ones in the left hand. Probably none of the pads are original anyway, and I was planning to replace with the flat riveted reso's fairly soon.

Later

SuperTourist

06-17-2006, 02:56 AM

I also have a Noblet alto, bought used 35 years ago. Played it all through school and college. With a berg larson mouthpiece it was great for lead alto in the jazz band.

But after a bazillion miles marching and jazzing in college it's in pretty bad shape. After sitting in the case for twenty years, I took it to a tech and he said it would cost more to fix than buy a new one. So, being richer now than when I was a student, I got a B & S Guardala alto and have not looked back since. I still have the Noblet in my basement and someday maybe I'll have time to play with it and try to repad it or something. It's appears to be a serial number around 9000, though it's hard to read. It's brass and used to be laquered (not much left on any exposed surface), with keys that appear to be nickel plate.On the bar connecting the bell with the tube there's a picture of somebody that I assume is Noblet himself. Ditto on the front of the neck. It says Noblet Paris Made in France.

Fattysaxsmurf

11-18-2007, 10:10 PM

This may seem quite pathedic but i had found an alto saxophone in the basement closet of my grandmothers house and began playing on it as a young child, now in highschool trying to find parts to this very old and ragity piece of metal did i relize that it was almost impossible to find parts for a Noble saxophone. I have been trying to find Noble for years and just now came upon searching threw history archives did i relize that is is in fact a Noblet, the t must have worn off because i have always asumed that it is called a Nobel.
I have only met one other person with the same saxophone as myself, and their sax serial code was 3 digits smaller then mine and his grandfather had bought it after ww2 in france. And through my reserch finding that indeed the records of the saxophones before ww2 were all destroid i have somewhat lost hope in finding the age of my saxophone.
So if anyone has any idea, or information that could help me, it would be very, Very! much apresiated