Of all the things I thought would never happen, a new Ophicleide is one of them. Turns out I was quite wrong. A Chinese manufacturer has begun production of a brand new B-flat Bass Ophicleide. This is totally unexpected (come on Chinese Sarrusophone!).
Turns out, it’s a really good instrument. It’s a copy of a Gautrot from the 1860s (who was known for making some of the best Ophicleides). This is the first Ophicleide produced in over 100 years (aside from a few one-offs in small shops).
Advertisements
What few one-off are you referring to? Robb Stewart has made several reproduction ophicleides.
Stewart’s instruments are indeed the ones I refer to. It looks like we now have modern Chinese instruments in B-flat, C, and the Alto. Perhaps time to start writing for the ophicleide again?