Bubbie one step further

[Tubadork]

It's odd to read someone saying they're open to innovation but then saying no to exactly that.

TheHomer.jpg

[J.c. Sherman]

How are plans going for a Wessex ophicleide? Now that would be exciting ...

They'd be well suited to it - and could probably make one at a price point much better than an historic example and affordable for many, many folks. Ophicleide quartets!

I'd be first in line for a new Ophicleide.

J.c.S.

[MartyNeilan]

I still would love one in the shape of a Fluba.
But, my official vote is for a Bubbie that could double as a Cimbasso
(wait - that means C bass.....)

[Lingon]

How are plans going for a Wessex ophicleide? Now that would be exciting ...

That would be great. Cimbassi are made by many and possible to get, but ophicleides. WIth both a recording bell Bubbie and an ophicleide, maybe also a serpent, plus the ordinary modern instruments the tool box would be well equipped for many situations. Do I need to say that I also would like an ophicleide?!

[PaulTkachenko]

Go on Jonathan - you'd make a mint on advance orders alone!

[J.c. Sherman]

Considering the terrific instruments to copy (I nominate mine or Nick Byrne's), the incredible simplicity of the manufacture and mechanism, and looking at the saxophone prices from China, it could be a very, very affordable instrument of very high quality!

As for serpents... well, there's no substitute for wood and leather (though I'm hearing terrific things about the new Carbon Fibre instruments from Wetter/Berger). I could never have performed Mendelssohn on my plastic Harding!

J.c.S.

[Bob Kolada]

True, one of the good things with Bubbie is the size and style. Besides, there are contra bass trumpets out there, even a Swedish made instrument..., for those that absolutely want to play trumpet style.

Link?

[Lingon]

Link?

Sorry, the link is down, but it is made by instrument maker Lars Gerdt.

[Wyvern]

Very interesting - the enthusiasm for an ophicleides! I may communicate with a few people off-line.

[PaulTkachenko]

I suspect there will be quite a market - people love curious things in this day and age.

Keep me in the loop on any developments as I'm super keen.

[PMeuph]

Very interesting - the enthusiasm for an ophicleides! I may communicate with a few people off-line.

Yes, if it would cost around 2k, I am sure there would be several sold. Also, what could be great is cheap cases. To my knowledge there are currently no case makers. A backpack style case (a tad bigger than the current bass trombone one) would probably suit a lot of players....

[PaulTkachenko]

I think it would need to (and could reasonably) cost less than 2K (dollars, I assume).

Look at the prices of the bigger saxes:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Saxophon ... 231bfa9ac2" target="_blank

I don't think there's any more to building an ophicleide than a bass sax. Less, I would have thought.

[Lingon]

Very interesting - the enthusiasm for an ophicleides! I may communicate with a few people off-line.

Yes, if it would cost around 2k, I am sure there would be several sold. Also, what could be great is cheap cases. To my knowledge there are currently no case makers. A backpack style case (a tad bigger than the current bass trombone one) would probably suit a lot of players....

The Chinese baritone saxes seems to be around USD 1400 with bass saxes slightly higher and the reverse engineering skills seems to be well developed so... I suppose there would be no patent violations on ophicleides these days?!

Maybe this could be of some use for the interested do it yourselfer to start some experimentation...

[J.c. Sherman]

The awfulcleide is an archaic instrument, a curiosity at best.
I believe third-world production techniques
in conjunction with leaflet-style distribution are ideally suited
to such an un-necessary p.o.s.
Just think..the typical town band,
which often already has 5 or 6 saxophones
can have its very own awfulcleide section!
I cannot think of a better way
to promote live instrumental performance to the community!


(in lieu of a succinct four letter word, deferring to the foul language police)

Yes... archaic like violins, tubas and trombones. Oh, and don't forget the complete extinction of the harpsichord and organ.

Ophicleides aren't any more "awful" than the player, just like any instrument. No one hearing a good player (check out samples on http://www.ophicleide.com" target="_blank) can speak ill of the instrument in any meaningful way.

Ophicleides aren't common anymore because of very, very effective marketing, not because there's anything wrong with them.

[PaulTkachenko]

I quite like the idea and charm of a crap, slightly 'off' sounding ophicleide.

[J.c. Sherman]

I quite like the idea and charm of a crap, slightly 'off' sounding ophicleide.

[Lingon]

...Ophicleides aren't any more "awful" than the player, just like any instrument. No one hearing a good player (check out samples on http://www.ophicleide.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank) can speak ill of the instrument in any meaningful way...

So it is. The Nick Byrne CD is really exciting and shows that the ophicleide, which some talks not so nice of, could indeed sound great. Unfortunately it has been put aside for so many years, but fortunately it seems that the interest is going up. So maybe if there were affordable instruments available then there would be a renaissance for the ophicleide. If players started to appear then I believe the now living composers would also be interested in creating new music for the instrument.

...Ophicleides aren't common anymore because of very, very effective marketing, not because there's anything wrong with them...

True.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Original ophicleides can still be had for a relatively inexpensive price, especially in France--personally, would rather see a Chinese 5v F or Eb Cimbasso--for what these instruments go for price wise, I think a little competition could be in order...just my 2 cents.....

Mark

[PaulTkachenko]

That said, I do love to hear the instrument played well. It can sound great.

I don't think the ophicleides you can get in France are cheap at all.

[J.c. Sherman]

Agreed; even if you can get one - a C one especially - for under 3K Euro, you're still going to put a bunch into the restoration! I got mine for a bargain... except for the 70 hours of restoration!