Is this the original bell?

Mike-ICR · Post by **Mike-ICR** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:10 am

An 1893 Conn DB euph with 2 upright bells. I know this is typical of replacement bells but this one is claimed to be original. Any thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/CONN-DOUBLE-BELL-EU ... 286.c0.m14" target="_blank

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:34 am

The small bell (most likely lost or irreparably damaged) was replaced with a straight trombone bell cut at the same diameter point.

J.c. Sherman · Post by **J.c. Sherman** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:51 pm

You can still see the bumper flange on the top bow set up for the bell front. That and the bell extending above the main bell prove it a replacement.

That can be done well - but placing a bell on which is too long is not what I'd call good planning...

J.c.S.

Mike-ICR · Post by **Mike-ICR** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:52 pm

That's what I figured. I've seen this style of replacement a few times and it never looks good. I've also tried it myself once and it wasn't great. The seller describing this as original and the age of the horn started me wondering. Thanks folks.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:11 pm

Mike-ICR wrote:The seller describing this as original

... just proves that "hope springs eternal"

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:00 pm

and the seller also points out the both bells being upright is very rare....better jump fast on this one!

ztuba · Post by **ztuba** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:59 am

best part is you can use trombone mutes on that second bell .. that can make for some fun combinations. Too bad it isn't 5 valves and compensating like my dream euphonium

Mike-ICR · Post by **Mike-ICR** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:38 am

ztuba wrote:best part is you can use trombone mutes on that second bell .. that can make for some fun combinations. Too bad it isn't 5 valves and compensating like my dream euphonium

Sounds like fun! The trouble here is finding a good compensating 4v euph that you actually like to play that is still in a reasonable price range. I've always wanted to add a second bell to a British euphonium. The American DB euphs tend to have a very bright euphonium side and a relatively warn bone side. It would be nice to hear more contrast. Good idea. Maybe I'll build one.

J.c. Sherman · Post by **J.c. Sherman** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:48 am

ztuba wrote:best part is you can use trombone mutes on that second bell .. that can make for some fun combinations. Too bad it isn't 5 valves and compensating like my dream euphonium

Actually, both have been done....

My first Double Bell was a Conn 5 valver to which I added a 6th (functional 5th) rotor and two upright bells. The new trombone bell I got from a Getzen... it was the best taper match which also fit the bell height requirement. Massively awesome horn (that wasn't my fault, it was Conn's - the new euph bell was a Conn from the same period). I traded it for something with a more reasonable weight and that didn't involve me explaining it for 45 minutes every time I tried to warm up!

As for a compensating Double Bell Euph, that's been done too:

http://www.mmis.us/wf/MMIS/DB/euph.html" target="_blank

J.c.S.

Mike-ICR · Post by **Mike-ICR** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:15 am

J.c. Sherman wrote: My first Double Bell was a Conn 5 valver to which I added a 6th (functional 5th) rotor and two upright bells. The new trombone bell I got from a Getzen... it was the best taper match which also fit the bell height requirement. Massively awesome horn (that wasn't my fault, it was Conn's - the new euph bell was a Conn from the same period).

Well done! I almost did this to my Holton (5v - 3+2) but I still haven't got around to it. I think I would rather use my extra fingers for slide triggers instead of extra valves.

J.c. Sherman wrote:I traded it for something with a more reasonable weight and that didn't involve me explaining it for 45 minutes every time I tried to warm up!

Amen to that!

J.c. Sherman wrote:As for a compensating Double Bell Euph, that's been done too:

http://www.mmis.us/wf/MMIS/DB/euph.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

J.c.S.

I've seen that before but I didn't remember that it was a comper. Seeing it now I remember why I didn't like the idea...

1. I like the idea of one hand operation but I don't think it's appropriate in this case. DB euphs in my experience are usually played while standing (solos/marching/oom-pah gigs). Even while sitting the Willson doesn't sit in my lap (I'm only about 5'10" and I need to hold it up off my lap to play). The Willson is heavy enough on it's own without the second bell that slide pulling would be very difficult on the fly. I would have liked to see 3 paddles for the left hand (along the 1st branch/opposite side from the bell). 1 for second bell and 2 others for slide triggers for the 2 main slides. Your hands aren't free but the tuning capabilities are endless and you can actually hold the horn.

2. I think part of the point of these horns is the contrast in sound. In this case the euph side is very large (warm and dark) and they paired it with a very large trombone bell. The bone bell will produce a brighter/punchier sound but not as much as a smaller (7" or 8") bell would. I think they've basically combined a large euphonium with a small baritone. I feel the same way about my own horn. It's almost a combo of a big baritone and a trombonium. It would be nice to have a big euphonium with a small trombone.

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Is this the original bell?

Is this the original bell?

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Re: Is this the original bell?