Spleeyah!

So i accidentally and TRAGICALLY dropped my C trumpet and damaged the bell pretty extensively. (Oh, the carnage!) i can still play it, but i should probably get a new bell b/c reparing this would leave the metal too stretched. Im looking to replace the lead pipe as well, just b/c ive been wanting a new lead pipe. Ive got some things in mind but im open to some suggestions for new bell/LP combonations. So, suggest away please..

Brad

Vulgano Brother

So, uh, want do you want that your 229 and 25H weren't giving you? That would help us all quite a bit.

Spleeyah!

Well, uh, i didn't really like the way it slotted, i've played others' C's and i liked the slotting on most of their horns better. Which leads me to believe that my C slots weird and it's not just me haha! Also, i didn't really get that brilliant orchestral sound that im going for. (THIS probably has more to do with me than the slotting did). Nevertheless, I feel I would benefit from a new bell. Hope this helps. Thanks, everyone!

Brad

Vulgano Brother

The shorter 25H pipe should help in centering, so you might want to try a 236 bell for extra compactness, or the standard 239, if you want to keep to original Bach parts. Heavier valve caps might improve slotting too, and there is a wealth of voodoo out there from other manufacturer's leadpipes and bells -- more possibilites than with Harley-Davidson, and sometimes cheaper!

Spleeyah!

What about different types of plating/laquers? Have you had any experience or know anything about some of those potential benefits?

rowuk

Maybe some heresy here and now?
As your horn bit the dust and you will have to invest regardless, get a tuning bell conversion done. Then you can start collecting bells for different types of jobs! The best sounding C bell that I ever played was a 229. I have never had a Bach leadpipe that played in tune. Mine has the 25H which slots just fine. There are several third party pipes that have received acclaim though (Melk, Harrelson, Najoom.....)
Silver plate would be my choice on a Bach C (the least amount of work)- except for the bell if it is gold brass. 2-Tone looks cool!

Vulgano Brother

I'd go for raw parts for now, as long as the horn is a work in progress. Lacquer is hard to solder without burning and buffing, and plating is hard to solder perfectly cleanly. When the horn is perfect, then you can get the whole thing gold-plated. (I'm still waiting for my horns to get perfect, though,so I've got a whole set of Vulgano-looking trumpets!) The tuning bell option is an excellent idea, by the way, and a fun way to spend money!

Taylor

A cheap way to experiment is to have the bell repaired and see what it does to the sound. Very ofeten a mangled bell will be thinner AND harder due to be worked. These two things are usually a recipe for brightening the sound. Can be worth stripping the finish of it at the same time and leave it to 'breath'.

Never know, for very little outlay you may find it sounds more like what you were after, and if it does, what does it matter that it may have a few scars! What have you got to loose?

This is often the reasons that old beaters that have been through the ringer a few times are often lively horns to play. They look like s**t, but so what!

All the best.

Andy Taylor.
Taylor Trumpets.