Is this a real Fench tenor

[jkconzone]

I found a Noblet tenor that plays fairly well, locally. More of a darker sound then other tenors I tried.

It says on the bell Noblet, and below that Paris, nothing else. The serial number is 10679. It does say standard towards the bottom of the horn, which the guy said meant standard pitch. He says its from the 40's, he thinks.

Now the case says LeBlanc on it. I thought I read somewhere that a LeBlanc Noblet tenor was really American made. Maybe not.

Anyway, the guy wants $500 for it and I was wondering if this was a good price for the horn. Have a few pics but don't see a way to attach them.

[Mike Ruhl]

It's probably French-made. If you want to post pictures, go out to www.photobucket.com and sign up for a free account. The you can post your pictures there, and include them in your posts here.

[jkconzone]

Very cool. Thanks Mike!

Here is the link.

http://photobucket.com/albums/e361/jkconzone/


John

[Dave dix]

Noblet was french but that looks a bit later made
Dave

[stefank]

This is the link to the relevant part of saxpics to look for a match:

http://www.saxpics.com/the%5Fgallery/leblanc/

The body to bell brace (from what I can see from the pictures) appears similar to the one my 1960s Beaugnier built French Vito. Beaugnier and Noblet were apparently both owned by Leblanc at this time. The G# cluster usually gives away a Beaugnier built horn of this vintage (the patent drawings are on saxpics).

Cruise through the photos available from the link - you'll find a fair sample of Leblanc/Noblet/Beaugnier/Vito instruments.

Stefan

[fballatore]

jkconzone -

I bought a Noblet Paris tenor about a year ago - what a great sounding horn! I paid $250 for it, and it's in very good shape. I couldn't find out too much about the origins at the time either. I'll check serial number and post some pics when I get home tonight.

Frank

[fballatore]

I just had my wife check my Noblet tenor. The serial number is 14199, and it's stamped "Made in France" on the front bottom part of the bell, to the right of where it's stamped Standard. I'll post some photos later.

Frank

[kcp]

http://www3.sympatico.ca/musimage/doodles/vastefairevoir.jpg

Disclaimer: In case I offend my French cousins, I'm 100% holly French (even though I never set foot in France in my entire life), so if you don't find it funny then "allez vous faire ..." ;)

[tbone]

Now that's funny!

[daveb819]

Hi John. I picked up a Noblet tenor last year, SN 14341. Looks similar to yours. A tech who looked mine over thought it was made in the mid to late 50's. Another tech thought it was made by SML due to the similar construction.
I love this horn! I play it in a concert band, swing band, and in church. I use a Selmer C* for legit and a Brillhart LevelAir for jazz. I'd like to try a more open neck - another tech I spoke with said it would really open her up.
Best wishes,
Dave

[DeanoTheSaxman]

Nice one Kim, Laughed my head off. Ha Ha Ha

[Nobletplayer]

Yeah your sax looks alot like mine does...

[Nobletplayer]

http://s409.photobucket.com/albums/pp176/Noblet_player/