A. Lecomte & Cie. (<1890)

This is a rare 10-key Ophicleide in C, manufactured by the prominent French workshop A. Lecomte & Cie in Paris. Based on the company's historical timeline and production methods, this instrument was most likely crafted between 1875 and 1890. When it arrived, it suffered from various structural dents and air leaks. Following careful conservation repairs to seal the brass and restore proper compression, the instrument is fully functional once again.

Acoustically, this ophicleide represents a classic tuning dilemma for modern players. The instrument was built to the historic High Pitch standard. In order to bring it down closer to modern concert pitch, the bocal must be pulled out as far as physically possible. While this extension successfully alters the fundamental pitch, it severely compromises the instrument's internal acoustics, affecting the overall intonation in a very negative way. However, when accepting these historical quirks, the horn still produces a remarkably beautiful and resonant sound.