Wessex Ophicleide

[Jonathantuba]

Thanks for the comments. The prototype ophicleide is pitched A=440, but we are making provisions in the production instruments to adjust the tuning a lot both ways to be able to play in any group. We will see if marketing an ophicleide was a sound investment, but the interest expressed since it went on-line has been tremendous, so the signs are promising. We modelled on the instrument we did, because it is a particularly good one. Intonation, for an ophicleide is exceptional. Tony George is to do demonstration recording next month, so you should be able to hear for yourself.

Since starting this project, I have come to love the sound of the ophicleide and hope making the new Wessex version available, might mean it makes a come back into more mainstream use.

For 5-valve front action Eb tuba - we have not forgotten, that is on Wessex development list, but as a completely new model and not a clone. I do not believe in copying currently available instruments

[ghmerrill]

I do not believe in copying currently available instruments

Except as a marketing statement (and a kind of defense against the frequent criticism of Chinese "copying"), I have to say that as a practical matter this sounds nutty to me. Why NOT copy (or better, "copy and improve") an existing instrument that has stood the test of time? Why, instead, go through the complex and troublesome process of developing a new product from scratch and trying to compete against those highly successful existing ones? Certainly the Germans and Czechs have not been especially bashful about copying models from others. Nor in the past have Americans (compare Buescher to Conn). It's difficult to believe that one could go far wrong by copying the Norwegian Star or Starlight and offering a serviceable copy for a fraction of the cost. From an engineering and practical standpoint, most of this stuff you see about "innovation" is crap. Copying for the sake of proven design and quality is no vice. Innovation for the sake of innovation is no virtue.

Also, as it stands, the statement appears to be inconsistent with about 90% of the current Wessex product line.

[tampaworth]

Since there are p-bones and ABS saxophones -- and with the ophicleide valves are out of the picture -- maybe next we'll see a Plasticleide or heaven forbid, maybe a Plerpent LOL

Afterthought -- actually a Plerpent would be way easy to manufacture!

[tampaworth]

maybe next we'll see a ..... Plerpent LOL

From contrabass.com Serpents are traditionally carved from wood in two halves, which are then glued together and wrapped tightly in leather. Modern reproductions are also available made from resin (aka plastic).

Seems I'm a bit late to capitalize on this idea but the word Plerpent sure sounds cool

[bbocaner]

I have a plastic serpent made by David Harding. There is also another newer plastic one made by an outfit branding them "Kaiser". Mine plays pretty well, but the big disadvantage is that it's really heavy and can be very uncomfortable to play for a long period of time. You kind of have to contort your hands in a weird way to hold them at all, and if it's really heavy it just makes it harder to do. The wooden ones are MUCH lighter. A wood one from Wetterberger in switzerland or Ribo in Belgium is on my shopping list, at which time I'll probably offer my Harding for sale on here.

[ghmerrill]

Plastic technology for bassoons has improved dramatically over the past 20 years or so. It is now a realistic choice for an advanced amateur or professional -- and offers come definite advantages.

[Paul Schmidt]

Hello fellow low pitched conical fellows

Jonathan and Andy at Wessex deliver...last week I took possession of what I believe to be one of the first batch of production Wessex Bb ophicleides. I already have a couple other ophis that I have played for decades, but I was quite interested to see what a new reproduction ophi would be like. I discount those of Robb Stewart and Manchester Brassworks, since neither of them are making ophis any longer. I am just beginning to get some familiarity with the new instrument, since as with most ophis, they are somewhat nonstandard in terms of fingerings and lever positions. But I am pleased with the workmanship and the horn has a nice sound. I could quibble about weight (it is a copy of a Gautrot and those were not the lightest weight horns) and stiffness of a few key springs, but this is minor and at least partially correctable.

Based on what I see so far, I would not hesitate to say that if readers of this forum were to buy a Wessex Bb ophi, they would have a good, solid, good playing ophi, and for a good price that includes a nice hard case.

[Paul Schmidt]

Tony George has a short, newer demonstration of the Wessex B flat ophicleide on YouTube, easily found by searching for "Wessex ophicleide". In addition, I have a posted a half hour video exploration of my own Wessex Bb ophi, found by the same search; there is some playing on it, albeit not as good a job as Tony does.

Paul Schmidt

[Paul Schmidt]

The early Harding serpents were made from fiberglass, and not based on an original instrument; according to David Harding, he just intended them to be playable wall hangings and they were just based on old images, not on a measured original. But the later generation Hardings were actually made from structural foam with a 'skin' formed where foam met mold; these were based on a real original and are noticeably superior to his original model, but I don't think they qualify as being 'plastic'. Kaiser serpents are fiberglass, but made in a high-tech way and based on the dimensions of a Monk church serpent and with the cooperation of the Monk workshop; these are better than the newer Hardings, in my opinion. It is great to have both the Harding and Kaiser serpents available, since reproduction wooden ones come at a fairly high price and are prohibitive for many prospective players.

Wessex on the other hand is just copying an original as faithfully as practical, with a few small adjustments for tuning and such. Unlike the reproduction serpent world, where there are multiple choices, until now there have not really been any newly built ophicleides, and as others have commented the available antique ones are often problematic for one reason or another, and my cost a lot of money to be put right, if it is possible at all. Having a Wessex available for a good price, and being a known quantity, is certainly a good thing.

[Jonathantuba]

I have just heard that Tony George is going to be playing the Wessex Bb ophicleide for performance of Donizetti's, Les Martyrs at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 5th November and in new recording of the work with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

The Bb ophicleide will soon be accompanied by a smaller Wessex C ophicleide with Tony George testing out the prototype while in London. We also have other new versions under development and will be bringing out range of Sackbut in December

[davewerden]

Jonathan,

Any thoughts of a double-bell euphonium???

[Djhutton]

Johnathon was kind enough to demonstrate the Wessex ophicleide for me this very afternoon at his new premises and I have to say it was an impressive sound, full and rich and not at all what you'd expect from the look of it.

I was expecting a weedy clattery sound but far from it, even though Johnathon admitted to not being a world class player of that instrument he produced a lovely tone, unlike any current brass instrument. It looked to be very nicely finished.

Also heard the mini travel tuba, again an amazing sound from a very compact package, if I were a tuba player I'd have to have one of those for the novelty factor if nothing else, and I can see how that would be a handy instrument for several playing scenarios. I can't understand how that design fell by the wayside , it's certainly unique!

Well done to Wessex for re introducing it.

What else did I get up to at Wessex, more of that later , suffice to say I'm a few pounds lighter than I was this morning

DJ

[Jonathantuba]

Jonathan,

Any thoughts of a double-bell euphonium???

I have thought about it and know of one available to use as template. Maybe sometime, but at present the factory have enough new models to keep them busy

[DaveBj]

I have thought about it and know of one available to use as template. Maybe sometime, but at present the factory have enough new models to keep them busy

Put me on the waiting list

[tonewheeler]

Question: Is there anyone in this group who owns and plays an ophicleide in a regular ensemble, like maybe a period or civil war band?