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Ever since I received my custom B&S PT-20 last year I have felt it not as good as when I play tested before completion and not as resonate as my other B&S tubas. Surprising because I even had detachable leadpipe fitting to improve resonance by getting it off the bell.

Today during my practice I thought, "I wonder if that plastic bell protector around the rim can have an effect?" It was a fitted very tight which is why I have never removed, knowing I would be unlikely to get back on if I took off and really needing for marching gigs where obviously I do not have a stand to put it down.

However, I decided to take the risk and remove the rim for the first time. I could not believe the difference - it has now got the ring and provides the vibration feedback I get from my PT-15 and Neptune - it is like a different tuba - feeling MUCH BETTER and more responsive

I will now cut the bell rim band and just put on 'loose' when needed.

Jonathan "who is delighted to have so 'improved' his 4/4 CC"

For me, it was exactly the opposite. By taking a length of 5/16 clear plastic tubing, slitting it lengthwise with an exacto knife, I was able to make a band that fit around the bell bead that damped overring and gave focus to a too-diffuse tone. It also works great on souzys.

Neptune wrote:Ever since I received my custom B&S PT-20 last year I have felt it not as good as when I play tested before completion and not as resonate as my other B&S tubas. Surprising because I even had detachable leadpipe fitting to improve resonance by getting it off the bell.

Today during my practice I thought, "I wonder if that plastic bell protector around the rim can have an effect?" It was a fitted very tight which is why I have never removed, knowing I would be unlikely to get back on if I took off and really needing for marching gigs where obviously I do not have a stand to put it down.

However, I decided to take the risk and remove the rim for the first time. I could not believe the difference - it has now got the ring and provides the vibration feedback I get from my PT-15 and Neptune - it is like a different tuba - feeling MUCH BETTER and more responsive

I will now cut the bell rim band and just put on 'loose' when needed.

Jonathan "who is delighted to have so 'improved' his 4/4 CC"

Glad you got good results, Jonathan. I experienced the same thing when I removed the plastic bell edge protector from my Meinl Weston 2145 CC. MW shipped the horn with the protector on the bell, and I thought it was supposed to remain on. After a few months, I took it off and the horn sounded richer. (Maybe my imagination?)

There seem to be two schools of thought on this. Some folks like the feel of a resonating bell and vibrating instrument under their hands and feel that the increase in resonance of the instrument translates to better sound out front. There are others who feel that resonance you can feel in your hands robs the sound of depth and projection out front. There were a lot of threads about this back on the old board.

Whatever works for you is fine. However, I suggest having a knowledgeable person listen to how you sound at a distance to see whether your horn sounds better with or without the plastic. You may be surprised by the result. Or not. How your horn sounds close-up may not match how it sounds out in the hall.

I think the difference is more in the feel to me playing with it providing greater feedback, rather than a noticeable sound difference to an audience (although I will listen with interest when I next record).

Before I was rather disappointed by this PT-20 as it felt too 'dead' to me and I had considered selling. Now I believe I will get great pleasure from playing and my feelings for the horn are likely to warm

Jonathan "who likes good vibration feedback from a tuba"

Just one week ago I had the idea to remove that plastic band from my MW 2011FA (HoJo). My impression was the same: somehow more lively sounding (the sound wasn't bad before i took it of). But that could be just placebo.....

Gerd

Hello everybody,
I've not noticed any difference in sound, plastic band or not.
Further, I highly doubt that a listener would hear any difference.
It's more your own feelings how the tuba behaves, like laquer or silver.
However, I find it most useful in terms of protection of the bell edge.
Now I can stand the tuba on its bell, also on rough floor or outdoors, without any risk for scratches.
I will keep it.
Best regards,
Lars

I use split vinyl icemaker tubing on the bell-rims of most all of my tubas. You can 'feel' the difference, and on a large flare, the vinyl will dampen the 'ring'. But... I have serious doubts if it will make any difference in the sound output of the horn.