Aluminum C Ocarina

[Cliff]

Here is some information on the aluminum Mountain Ocarina, key of C (available in gold/brass color)

• Price: $89.95
• Length: 5.5 inches or 13.9 cm
• Tonal range: B4 - E6
• Machined from aircraft grade aluminum
• Brass/gold in color
• Hardcoat anodized to provide a hard, scratch-resistant, attractive surface
• Interior liner which provides thermal insulation and resists moisture condensation in the windways
• About half an octave lower in pitch, and mellower in sound than the G ocarina

• Price: $89.95
• Length: 5.5 inches or 13.9 cm
• Tonal range: B4 - E6
• Machined from aircraft grade aluminum
• Brass/gold in color
• Hardcoat anodized to provide a hard, scratch-resistant, attractive surface
• Interior liner which provides thermal insulation and resists moisture condensation in the windways
• About half an octave lower in pitch, and mellower in sound than the G ocarina

[Cliff]

A few pictures of the aluminum Mountain Ocarinas collection:

[ubizmo]

Also arrived today...see my initial impressions of the aluminum G.  I'll add just a few comments here.

1.  This thing is heavy.  I really can use it for self-defense!

2.  Since I gave away my poly C last winter or so, I have only the hardwood to compare it to.  I find a definite difference in the tuning of the low C.  On the hardwood, the low C would drop to B by default if I didn't make an effort to push it up to C.  On the aluminum, it holds the C better, and it takes just a small drop in breath to get B.  I'm finding the aluminum therefore easier to play in tune, and that's after just a short time practicing.  On both the aluminum and hardwood, getting high 'F' (above the official range) requires a pretty forceful breath, unlike on the G models.

3.  Again like the the poly, the thumb holes are recessed.  Since they are larger than the thumb holes on the G, it took me a little while to get the feel for them, not having played a poly C in months.

4.  The tapered mouthpiece is perhaps even more important on the C, given the added weight of it.

5.  The color is very striking.  It has a luster that's hard to capture in a photograph.

Ubizmo

[clarinetcat]

It's the Aluminum C you got, right Ubi?  (you said "G" in your first sentence, I wanted to be sure...)

I just ordered one last night (Aluminum C), and should hopefully have it by Wednesday for a recording session on Thursday.

Compared to the hardwood C, is the tone significantly brighter?

Do you like it better, or is it just different than the wood?


(Karl said on the phone he really enjoys playing the aluminum, so if the big man likes 'em I'm sure they are great)   

[ubizmo]

It's the Aluminum C you got, right Ubi?  (you said "G" in your first sentence, I wanted to be sure...)

I just ordered one last night (Aluminum C), and should hopefully have it by Wednesday for a recording session on Thursday.

Compared to the hardwood C, is the tone significantly brighter?

Do you like it better, or is it just different than the wood?


(Karl said on the phone he really enjoys playing the aluminum, so if the big man likes 'em I'm sure they are great)   

I got them both.  In the first sentence I was just citing my comments about the G, which also apply to the C.  I don't think the tone is significantly brighter, just a tad different, but I do like the weight of it, and the tapered mouthpiece.  Very cool.

Ubizmo