Cutting bells down in size.
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modelerdc
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2018 9:34 pm
Cutting bells down in size.
Has anyone ever cut a bell down to a smaller size? For example I have a nice Bach 10 1/2 inch bell that I think would be even better cut down to 10 or 9 1/2 inches. Does anyone know of anyone who does this and what the cost might be? Thanks.
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greenbean
- Posts: 1861
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 6:14 pm
- Location: San Francisco
Re: Cutting bells down in size.
I have owned a horn with a bell that had been cut from 10 to 9.5 by Robb Stewart in So Cal. Beautifully done.
Tom in San Francisco
Currently playing...
Bach Corp 16M
Many French horns
Currently playing...
Bach Corp 16M
Many French horns
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Burgerbob
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Re: Cutting bells down in size.
I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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TheBoneRanger
- Posts: 215
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- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Cutting bells down in size.
I know Matt Walker (M&W trombones) cut down a Bach 50 bell for a friend of mine when he was living in Australia.
Andrew
Andrew
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JoeStanko
- Posts: 122
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Re: Cutting bells down in size.
Yes, numerous done by Robb..look at his website showing a Holton 180 he did for me. He can unsolder or solder as per your preference and is a true craftsman.
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mrdeacon
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Re: Cutting bells down in size.
Wow when did Rob retire? Amazing craftsman but definitely was pretty curmudgeonly when I met him in high school lol.
Rath R1, Elliott XT
Rath R3, Elliott XT
Rath R4, Elliott XT
Rath R9, Elliott LB
Minick Bass Trombone, Elliott LB
Rath R3, Elliott XT
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Rath R9, Elliott LB
Minick Bass Trombone, Elliott LB
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Burgerbob
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Re: Cutting bells down in size.
He cleaned my euph in maybe... 2017? At that point he was planning on moving north somewhere on the 5. Since then he has moved and doesn't have a shop, I'm pretty sure.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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modelerdc
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2018 9:34 pm
Re: Cutting bells down in size.
Actually this horn with the 10.5 bell plays exceptionally well. Best 50BL I'ved played. It might be better for me just to buy a regular 50B bell and make them interchangeable. The rest of the horn is duo Hagmanns and an Edward slide. As well as it plays I don't feel the over size bell is as suitable for general playing as the standard Bach bell.
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JohnL
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Re: Cutting bells down in size.
A couple years ago he was talking about transitioning to being "semi-retired" and moving up to (IIRC) the Santa Clarita Valley area.
Here's what he says on his website:
I wouldn't think cutting down a modern trombone bell would meet Robb's threshold for "interesting".I’VE JUST CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF MY 40TH YEAR IN BUSINESS AND I CONTINUE TO CUT BACK MY WORK LOAD. I STILL HAVE A SMALL LIST OF USED BRASS INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE AND I TAKE ON INTERESTING PROJECTS AS I AM ABLE TO.
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spencercarran
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