raincatcher/sousaphone question

Chadtuba · Post by **Chadtuba** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:33 pm

Is it possible to make a raincatcher bell to put on a sousaphone without messing up the sound of the horn? I just started teaching at a different school this week and have found a sousaphone in the attic without a bell. I could probably buy it from the school rather inexpensively and was thinking about a project horn to have a raincatcher bell and a traditional sousaphone forward bell. I'm not sure what model it is or the shape it's in yet as I've spent my time concentrating on the working inventory of instruments to get ready for the students next week.

Thanks for the input.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:52 pm

Yes, in fact, depending on who made it, you may only have to buy a bell-up that was for a recording-bell/bell-up combination.

Most of the raincatchers had the upward bend in the bell section, but as long as you don't mind what plugs into what, if the bell collar is the right size, all you may need is the upward stack (if you can find one with the right diameter fitting).

If not, you may still be able to have one made, but that will involve removing the tennon fron the sousa bell, and then getting a bell-up, and cutting it to match.

Regardless, you may have some length to be accomodated (+/-) to get the horn in tune.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:22 pm

Some of the TNFJ have done just that.

Hey, guys -- post with links to your projects!