"making" an upright bell.

[tubatom91]

So I have this project horn that I'm working on, slowly but surely. I have come to the realization that eventually I actually want to use the thing! It's a typical 21J that of course has a bell-front arrangement which is somtimes not ideal. I'm thinking about buying one of the "junky" sousa/tuba bells that are up for bid on 'the bay' (preferably a 2-piece bell). And then taking it to sombody to make and upright bell, considering that whenever you do see an upright bell for sale it is exhorbantly over-priced this may be the only "cost effective" way of having an upright bell. I obviously don't have the skill nor the tools to do this myself, who do you think would do it? and the big question how much!?

note: I do know the value of having a forward facing bell for appropriate occaisions, but for most of the things I will use this horn for, it isn't going to be very valuable...

[Dan Schultz]

The tough part in 'making' an upright bell out of a front-facing bell is finding an appropriate straight conical section to go between the collar and the flare. That conical section can be made, too. It's been my experience that bells constructed in this manner work OK but just don't 'look right'. With all the trouble and parts-scrounging involved, I think it's probably better to just 'bite the bullet' and buy one of the replacement bells that Kanstul makes. I think Lee Stofer has a relationship with Kanstul. You might try Lee. You can find him on the TubeNet 'sponsors' page.

[TUbajohn20J]

Borodi Music in Cleveland. I had this same thing done on my 20J and they did an excellent job. They sure do know what they're doing. heres some pics.

[Mike-ICR]

I've done this to one of my project horns. This is an old Besson BBb that will eventually be a 3+2 CC with both bells. I haven't got around to making it pretty because I plan to overhaul it when I do the cutting but you get the idea.

[tubatom91]

thanks for the nice pics. great job!

[Mike-ICR]

Thanks, I was thrilled with the end result. It plays very well and it's very easy to control even with a 24" bell. I think it might even play better this way.

[WakinAZ]

Man, if someone could find a Chinese factory to make Conn 2XJ upright bell replacements, he could do a good business.

[imperialbari]

Even using all original Conn parts: are the intonation tendencies exactly the same with upright or forward bells?

This question is asked because with another make/model supplied with both bells, the forward bell gives the best intonation. Probably because the original design was with the forward bell.

Klaus

[Dan Schultz]

Kanstul makes them, but they aren't cheap.

And.... it's not a 24" flare, either!

[Dan Schultz]

Even using all original Conn parts: are the intonation tendencies exactly the same with upright or forward bells?

This question is asked because with another make/model supplied with both bells, the forward bell gives the best intonation. Probably because the original design was with the forward bell.

Klaus

The King 1240/41 & 2340/41 tubas (and the Mirafones) weren't sold with both detachable bells. The horns were slightly different to make up for the bugle differences of the bells. In fact... the Kings often came with different main tuning slides... carrying the last three digits of the serial number.

[Donn]

The tough part in 'making' an upright bell out of a front-facing bell is finding an appropriate straight conical section to go between the collar and the flare. That conical section can be made, too. It's been my experience that bells constructed in this manner work OK but just don't 'look right'.

The previous owner of my 4OK had the notion that it would be a hot item if it had an upright "raincatcher" bell, so he had something like that made. I made him keep it. It looked like a trash can.

[hibiscus80]

Ed Strege at Badger State Repair, Elkhorn WI does fine conversions of tuba bells. It would not be too bad a drive from your home.
William

[ken k]

Even using all original Conn parts: are the intonation tendencies exactly the same with upright or forward bells?

This question is asked because with another make/model supplied with both bells, the forward bell gives the best intonation. Probably because the original design was with the forward bell.

Klaus

The King 1240/41 & 2340/41 tubas (and the Mirafones) weren't sold with both detachable bells. The horns were slightly different to make up for the bugle differences of the bells. In fact... the Kings often came with different main tuning slides... carrying the last three digits of the serial number.

That is interesting. I did not know this but I recently had two 1240 tubas, one with a forward bell and one with an upright bell. I noticed the tuning slides were different and I wondered what was up with that. I just figured since they were made in different years perhaps the design had changed.

k

[TUbajohn20J]

Even using all original Conn parts: are the intonation tendencies exactly the same with upright or forward bells?

This question is asked because with another make/model supplied with both bells, the forward bell gives the best intonation. Probably because the original design was with the forward bell.

Klaus

The King 1240/41 & 2340/41 tubas (and the Mirafones) weren't sold with both detachable bells. The horns were slightly different to make up for the bugle differences of the bells. In fact... the Kings often came with different main tuning slides... carrying the last three digits of the serial number.

That is interesting. I did not know this but I recently had two 1240 tubas, one with a forward bell and one with an upright bell. I noticed the tuning slides were different and I wondered what was up with that. I just figured since they were made in different years perhaps the design had changed.

k

The same goes for the Conn 20J and 21J's. The slide configuration was slightly different.
look at the tubing coming out of the 3rd valves

[Dan Schultz]

..... The same goes for the Conn 20J and 21J's. The slide configuration was slightly different.
look at the tubing coming out of the 3rd valves

There were several generations of 3rd valve wraps on Conn tubas and sousas. I forgot to mention that the 2Xj's are another example of tubas that weren't sold with both bells. To my knowledge, it was always one or the other.