Bb Ophicleide – OB10 Silver (Please contact us to Preorder) Reviews

5 Rating 1 Reviews

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Phone:

(0)7555 135212

Email:

dolce@wessex-tubas.com

Location:

2 Viscount Court,
South Way, Walworth Business Park,
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 5NW

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“I am very happy with my Wessex B-flat ophicleide, which I’ve been playing about five months as something to do during the pandemic. As a trombone, euphonium and trumpet-player, I’ve had no trouble getting a truly gorgeous sound from the ophicleide and am enjoying learning its oddball fingering. The instrument itself, in silver-plate, is magnificent in appearance. The finish and fittings are of high quality. Modern enhancements to the 19th century model include cages for the more vulnerable keys, a water key, extended tuning range and selection of metal finishes. The wheeled instrument case is sturdy, and the enclosed book of instruction and introductory music is very helpful. The tone quality is splendid: authoritative and solid in the deepest range, mellow in the middle and sweet up high. At times, the sound is reminiscent of a euphonium, at others, a bassoon. However, being an ophicleide, it does have inconsistencies in sound quality, projection and intonation across its range; particularly in those notes that use the cluster of keys for the right hand – needed primarily in the lowest octave and for alternative fingerings elsewhere – for which the pertinent tone holes are relatively small and the bore relatively narrow. That’s a basic shortcoming of an ophicleide, not peculiar to the Wessex model. The player will want to experiment with alternative fingerings to improve intonation, projection, tone quality, and agility. I imagine that ergonomics played a significant part in the ophicleide’s eclipsing by modern tubas. The instrument is a bit heavy and the left hand carries much of the weight, as well as performing the majority of the fingering. I’ve found that an over-the-shoulder strap supports the instrument much better than the supplied neck strap. There will be some awkward passages, but a fair amount of agility is readily attained. I’m having fun working my way with it through Tyrell’s classic trombone studies. All in all, Wessex has resurrected a lovely instrument, which should find a home with many brass players in a diversity of ensembles”

11 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago