Effects of a repaired bell?

[bort]

How much effect does a well-repaired bell have on sound/resonance/etc. I'm talking about a bell that had a few significant creases, but no tears or holes. Looks very good, but of course, has wrinkle marks from where it was fixed.

When I bought my Marzan, the bell was significantly creased, and needed repair. It looks great now, and plays well too. But, I still wonder what it'd be like/was like with an uninjured bell. Does repair have any bad effects? (Apart from future re-creasing in the same spot being a little easier.)

[SousaSaver]

In my opinion I don't think it should. In theory, the bell material might work harden if it is overworked or the sound may change if the shape of the bell has changed significantly, but if the bell repair is done properly I don't think it should have much effect. If the shape of the bell is as close to correct as possible and the bell rim is straight, I think that your sound should not change.

[imperialbari]

http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/sep2001 ... 71565.html

[sloan]

I see (particularly trumpet and trombone) players "thunking" on bells with their index fingers - as if they can determine something about the resonance of the AIR column by setting the BRASS bell flare in motion.

Play more. Think less.

Spoken like a true Performance Major.

[tclements]

WARNING: HIGHLY OPINIONATED MATERIAL FOLLOWS!!! it is my opinion and experience that once a bell is creased, it is ruined. No matter how good the repair, the vibrating pattern that has been broken into the bell, can never be reorganized. Larry Minick used to say, "The molecules get lined up." I believe this is why a tuba that has about 100-200 hours on it, plays better and more open than a new one. I'd replace the bell, no question. I'm so, ok, let's say ANAL, about tuba bells, that I never touch the bell of a silver, or unlacquered tuba. I think once the oils from your hand get onto the bell material, it interrupts the vibrating pattern.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm full of prunes.

Discuss.....

[tclements]

San Jose, actually....

[Kevin Hendrick]

I think once the oils from your hand get onto the bell material, it interrupts the vibrating pattern.

Tony, ya gotta get up pretty oily in the morning to fool us ...

[windshieldbug]

[Another Highly-Opinionated Post Follows] I think that it absolutely makes a difference. If you're within 5' or so. Otherwise, unless it's audibly ringing and can be heard in the hall, I don't think it makes a whit of difference out there. [/End Of Highly-Opinionated Post]

[TubaTodd]

How much effect does a well-repaired bell have on sound/resonance/etc. I'm talking about a bell that had a few significant creases, but no tears or holes. Looks very good, but of course, has wrinkle marks from where it was fixed.

When I bought my Marzan, the bell was significantly creased, and needed repair. It looks great now, and plays well too. But, I still wonder what it'd be like/was like with an uninjured bell. Does repair have any bad effects? (Apart from future re-creasing in the same spot being a little easier.)

Joe just finished working on my bell for the second time. It looks like a bell. It feels like a bell. The tuba sounds like it has a tuba bell. The bell looks pretty darn close to perfect. I'm thrilled.

I'm not sure I would subscribe to Tony's amount of scrutiny. I would say that if a bell has had some major creasing or other catastrophic damage, I would say that the structural integrity and probably the sound has been affected. To what extent..........who knows. As with any horn, if you can't tell, then what difference does it make?

Hmmmmmmm I guess I could have ordered a new bell from Kanstul and billed it to the dude who damaged my horn.

[MaryAnn]

Well, if I had billed the dudette who damaged my horn, eh, I'd have been billing myself. Can't afford a new bell. It plays, it looks ok, it bothers me, but at my playing level I don't think it matters. For me, it's about intonation, and as long as the bell shape is the same, or quite reasonably the same, I'm happy enough.

MA