Ophicleide in C
Catalogue number: 8.1
Original name: Ophicleide in C.
Type or system: 11 keys.
Maker: Antoine Courtois.
Place of origin: Paris, c.1870.
Overall size: 1024mm.
Sounding length: 2440mm.
Diameter of mouthpiece receiver: 13.4mm.
Technical description: Ophicleide in brass. 11 brass keys mounted on posts and axles.
Mouthpiece receiver (a little old-fashioned for the time, being round rather than more rectangular) may not be original, as it looks like it has widened to accommodate a modern mouthpiece. It does not work with a known French Ophicleide mouthpiece.
Keys 4 and 5 are linked. Keys 9 and 10 have key guards, indicating possibly military use.
|
Key work and finger holes |
|
|---|---|
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Left hand thumb: |
D. |
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Left hand, first finger: |
B (open = C). |
|
Left hand, second finger: |
C sharp. |
|
Left hand, third finger: |
E flat. |
|
Right hand thumb: |
E. |
|
Right hand, first finger: |
B flat. |
|
Right hand, second finger: |
A. |
|
Right hand, third finger: |
G sharp overlapping G. |
|
Right hand, fourth finger: |
F. |
Inscription: Engraved on Bell: (motif: medal: MÉDAILLE / DE / 1RE CLASSE / EXPOSITION / UNIVERSELLE / 1855) / ANTOINE COURTOIS / FACTEUR DU CONSERVATOIRE IMPÉRIAL / 88 rue des Marais St. Martin / Paris / S. ARTHUR CHAPPELL / LATE JULLIEN & Co / Sole agents / 214 Regent St. London”.
Faults: Crack in mouthpiece receiver - leaking air. Leaking pads.
Repair history: Restored 1979 by Jones & Crossland, Birmingham.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Illustration references: See below.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 98.
Gallery of Images
