{Eichentopf}

2 brass keys with flat flaps, type Young-S for C-key; type Heyde-179/1 for Eb-key, the flap being a mirror of it’s touch.

Raised key rings circular.

SATB (springs attached to the body).

3rd and 4th hole doubled with finger cove.

Bulb bell.

Fair condition; some (repaired) cracks, one on TJ and one on MJ. Few little chips, and several scratches on body, possibly due to heavy use.

According to Hailperin (1975a) p.30 the touchpiece of the C-key is a modern replacement.

Best result obtained: A = c.420Hz with reed TL 51mm / 27mm Chiarugi no.2 / tip width 10mm, combined with a bocal TL 51mm ø 5.4mm + 3.4mm. Reed set-up TL 93.5mm.

With a longer reed set-up 415Hz is possible though.

Instrument plays exceptionally well.

Nice powerful sound with much character, a little bright. Good and even intonation. Top notes have some resistance.

Ex-Mahillon V. & J.

Young (1978).

Hailperin (1975a) p.26–7.

Mahillon (R1978) Vol.II p.251.

Hailperin (1975a) p.30–2. Comments and measurements.

Listed in Young (1993) p.68 and Young (1978) p.110.

Mentioned in Waterhouse (1993) p.103–4.

Hailperin (1975a) p.32 Plate VI.

Hailperin (1975a).

Finkelman (1999) Teil 2, pp.364–8.

Adkins (2001).

Stockholm N77223, see www.musikmuseet.se.

According to Mahillon (R1978) Vol.II p.251 the usable pitch would be A = c.387Hz: "The pitch is one tone below our pitch” (c.1880 = 435Hz, SV). Mahillon gives a total length of 71 cm. If correct, this would include a reed and bocal set-up of about 120 mm (100 mm exposure). This extremely long reed set-up could explain the very low pitch Mahillon estimated.

The C-key touch is most likely not original – as it does not ressemble Leipzig style keys – but a more recent replacement. Striking is the similarity of this key touch with the C-key touch of the Wolhaupter 0970 oboe d'amore. The latter was acquired earlier by Mahillon, before donating his private collection to the museum. Possibly the Eichentop C-key touch is copied after the Wolhaupter, by Mahillon's or the museum's workshop.