TubeNet

Im not sure that this has been covered yet, but for those of you that have, have had, or have played, both a vintage Ophicleide and the New Wessex Ophicleide;

What is your take?

This isn't really a "Vs" argument, more of a compare and contrast.

Im just interested in how they differ in ergonomics, tone, and genral playability

Not having owned a new ophicleide, but several old ones ( including a 12 keyed Graves Winchester) and a quinticlave, I am all for the new ones. The old ones, while of historical significance, really should be conserved and preserved in collections or at museums. With new ones, the fear of damage or breakdowns is significantly reduced. I know some keyed bugle players who use only modern ones and not their antique cousins since the new ones play better, and it allows the old ones to be preserved and not subject to wear and tear. It would be different if modern replicas were double or triple the price of an original, but with the Chinese made ophicleides being available, and their quality being quite good, it allows those who are curious to learn how to play one AND hopefully will increase the number of folks who will use ophicleide in various settings. And the price for new ones is very consumer friendly.
Even ophicleide cases and gig bags too. Very neat.
My 2 cents...
Mark

I think you nailed it Mark. Past a certain point, brass instruments really do not age that well, compared to vintage strings. I think it is important for "ophi-philes" (Me thinks I just coined a word here) to have access at some point to a good playing antique for a point of reference, just so they have the experience. But for the amount of practice necessary on those 'beasts' it would be wise to put the 'stress' on a nice new one, rather than continuing the 'wear and tear' on an antique.

There is an opposing view in defense of using antiques and that is they may likely get better maintenance and service, if played occasionally and not left in the case for the next hundred years to dry out and corrode.

Not being a keyed brass player, but a conductor of a group that uses them, I can say that the modern repros play and blend in just fine. More of the sound issue depends on the level of the player and how well they understand all of the priviledged or adult fingerings that the accomplished players utilize to achieve maximum beauty of tone and intonation.

We really know very little as a collective community of brass musicians when it comes to historic instruments and performance practice. It is relatively a very young subject. There is much new discovering going on each time someone picks up one of these horns. I believe enthusiam is the key to getting there.

bloke wrote:The tube ones were the best, but the transistor versions were pretty good (and certainly more reliable - no warm-up required).
Those available today - They are the easiest to use, but the sound is very synthetic. I can hear the difference...really.

Stick to eight track.....

I have a feeling the Convention in Cleveland this Summer will be more entertaining than Ali-Frazier...

bloke wrote:
(Considering the chosen location, they could do $20,000 - perhaps up to even $40,000 - of damage...!!! )

bisontuba wrote:I have a feeling the Convention in Cleveland this Summer will be more entertaining than Ali-Frazier...

Or Foreman-Frazier?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZEIMQ42-oU

iiipopes wrote:

bisontuba wrote:I have a feeling the Convention in Cleveland this Summer will be more entertaining than Ali-Frazier...

Or Foreman-Frazier?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZEIMQ42-oU

I miss Howard....

A most entertaining digression.

You can't beat a really good old one. But they're hard to find. And probably need thousands of dollars of work to make them play as well as they can play.

There are a lot of really terrible old ones. Some that weren't great in the first place, but some of the ones that might have originally good instruments have leaks, cracks, are poorly adjusted, leaking stacks, bad pads, etc.

The new Chinese ones are decent. Not amazing, but not bad. The Wessex in C has great intonation. And you can buy one for less than the cost of a restoration.