Dead Bell

[jma78]

So, I'm trying out an old B&S F-tuba (made probably end of the 70's).

When I tap with a finger on the bell of a new tuba the bell really rings. On this old tuba the bell is not ringing what so ever, it's completely dead. (The sound of the tuba is otherwise nice)

Is this normal for older tubas, or has this one had some serious beating to the bell? (There are no creases in the bell)

Thanks!

[iiipopes]

This works both ways. Sometimes, a "lively" bell can help with projection. Other times, it can degrade into overring and not help the horn at all.

Play it. Have someone listen to it out front. There is the true test. It doesn't matter whether or not the bell rings on its own. It's how it affects intonation, resonance and projection.

Personally, to damp overring, I keep a length of split clear plastic tubing on the rim of my bell at all times to damp the overring.

[GC]

Dude, I thought you meant that Jerry Garcia's face was engraved on the bell . . .

[jma78]

How much does the bell garland dampen the bell? Is this something that should be taken into consideration?

[Dan Schultz]

How much does the bell garland dampen the bell? Is this something that should be taken into consideration?

A bell garland is just another way of attaching a reinforcing wire to the bell... an alternative to rolling the brass around the wire. A garland adds a little mass to an already very thin bell rim.

I've worked on hundreds of tubas that have either a rolled rim or a garland. I've also seen a few with a band of German silver soldered to the bell rim.

Bells with a rolled wire have a much greater tendency to 'ring'... especially large sousaphone bells. With exception to the 'ring' that is often mistaken for 'resonance'... I don't see much difference in the performance of the style of bell rim.

Personally... I do not like the 'ringing' overtones and keep vinyl tubing around the bells of most of my horns.... without regard to the rim style.

[Tom Coffey]

Seems to be a dead ringer for you...

[ralphbsz]

Personally... I do not like the 'ringing' overtones and keep vinyl tubing around the bells of most of my horns.... without regard to the rim style.

That leads to a general question: Is it a good idea to put clear vinyl tubing around the bell, just to protect the rim of the bell from scuffs and scratches? On a tuba where the bell doesn't ring appreciable (not a sousaphone), will it dampen the tone of the tuba appreciably? Maybe you should leave it on for practice and transportation, and pull it off for performances?

The place where this would really be needed is my son's high school marching band. They have a 9-member tuba section, all on identical and nearly new Conn 20K horns. Obviously, the band director and the tuba section students are obsessive compulsive about protecting the horns, keeping them shiny, and looking good. The bells on these sousaphones ring a lot. I noticed that some of the bell rims are already scuffed. But if I go and suggest clear tygon tubing, they would probably hate that, because it won't look perfect.