Soprano Ophicleide

Ophicleides in high B-flat (the size of the keyed bugle) are uncommon.  Nevertheless, three Sax ophicleides of this size survive, all bearing the stamp of his private collection AIS; they are numbered 188, 190 and 192 (this instrument).  Sax mentions the ophicleide in his saxophone patent as an instrument whose sound was compromised when the keys were opened.  Nevertheless, the inspiration for the saxophone's distinctive sound may actually have occurred when Sax tried replacing the ophicleide's usual brass mouthpiece with one from a clarinet.