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I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but it's tricky to search for it...

Does a bell garland have any effect on the sound/playing characteristics of a tuba? Or is it more for structural purposes? (Or maybe even ornamental?)

That is, if you have two identical tubas, one with a bell with a garland and one without, would you expect a difference? Slightly better projection with a garland, perhaps?

I've always thought they look cool, but haven't thought much about the actual purpose or differences it might make.

Fair enough... then how about "what is the intended purpose of a bell garland?"

bort wrote:Fair enough... then how about "what is the intended purpose of a bell garland?"

To buzz when it gets loose in the middle of a concert and sound much like the sympathetic vibrations of a snare drum - for which you yell at the percussionists - only to realize it's your very own bell garland that is buzzing!

Do not ask me how I know this.

Ok, well how about something like the Miraphone 1291 (no garland) vs. Miraphone 1292 (garland)? Same bell, same metal... is there another reason for doing it that way?

The 1293 has no bell garland with a larger diameter bell. Maybe Roger Lewis can explain it at least in this case. Phil

bort wrote:I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but it's tricky to search for it...

Does a bell garland have any effect on the sound/playing characteristics of a tuba? Or is it more for structural purposes? (Or maybe even ornamental?)

Since Mira 186s in BBb come with and without, perhaps you could go to a dealer who has one of each and try them out.

***** Searching hint: Bag the search here and use google. "site:forums.chisham.com bell garland sound" will get you at least five pages of TubeNet opinions on the subject.*****

Much easier than 'advanced search' here.

Thanks guys...

Looking through some old posts, I understand the construction and the concepts behind what the garland does. So historically, it seems like a construction issue. But in modern production, the manufacturer can just as easily make/use both styles of bells. Just wondering why a 1291/1292 (for example) might use different types of bells, and what those decision points might be.

I dunno, just seemed like it could be interesting.

[And yes, I realize the 1292 was made based off of the big guy's requests... but you see how well that worked out, too...]

bort wrote:Ok, well how about something like the Miraphone 1291 (no garland) vs. Miraphone 1292 (garland)? Same bell, same metal... is there another reason for doing it that way?

It's just a different way of attaching the wire to the rim. The garland allows the use of a thinner bell but once the wire and garland are attached... I'm guessing that the weight of the business of the horn is about the same.

This is an interesting discussion but from my perspective... it makes no difference in the way a Miraphone plays.

A garland is pretty when it's new but it's a real pain in the *** to fix once it's damaged.

On a somewhat related note…

One of the horns at my school with a bell garland is in rough shape. In order to avoid the buzzing that comes with a loose bell garland, but in an effort to save some money on repairs (which have already been done at least twice in the last five years), would it be possible to just remove the bell garland altogether?

Thanks...

Thanks Dan! I agree as well, they do look pretty. I guess I haven't had the misfortune of running across a broken one yet!

What's the difference between a garland and a tone ring?
Other than the obvious difference that a garland is decorative and rim strengthening.

As discussed in this thread a ring of thin brass applied to the bell of a tuba did produce a different and pleasing sound to a set of discerning ears
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53518&p=457460&hilit" target="_blank

sousaphone68 wrote:What's the difference between a garland and a tone ring?
Other than the obvious difference that a garland is decorative and rim strengthening.

As discussed in this thread a ring of thin brass applied to the bell of a tuba did produce a different and pleasing sound to a set of discerning ears
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53518&p=457460&hilit" target="_blank" target="_blank

A tone ring fits down inside the bell about 8" and resembles a large ferrule. First time I saw one... I thought it was joining the flare to the stack. It does the same thing as vinyl tubing around the flare... cuts overtones down.

A proper wreath/Kranz is NOT soldered on, and with the proper matching one-piece/one-piece-with-gusset construction, the two styles of bell are little relatable. But that type of construction is almost extinct, and a the modern wreath merely adds a tad of mass and solder, for a greater "density" of sound.

J.c.S. (a fan of traditional German construction)