Removing an Edwards Bell tab

Lhbone · by **Lhbone** » 2023-04-08 10:25 a.m.

Has anyone filed down an Edwards bell tab so that it can fit the modern valve section? I'm tempted to do this myself and wanted to hear from someone who has done it before.

(Yeah, yeah, I know...I should take it to my local tech.)

Elow · by **Elow** » 2023-04-08 10:46 a.m.

File??? Take a torch to it, be prepared to have it look ugly if you don’t want to take it to someone.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2023-04-08 11:01 a.m.

Does it not fit with the tab on?

Kdanielsen · by **Kdanielsen** » 2023-04-08 11:02 a.m.

I took one off with a creme brule torch when i was in school. Left a little circle. Your results may vary.

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2023-04-08 11:35 a.m.

The factory removed mine and re-laquered that area when I changed my valve set-up to the new (then) Edge bracing. Any tech or skilled amateur could remove that with a torch. That would leave less of a mark than filing down the old tab, and would also take that extra small piece of metal off from your bell section. The whole point of the Edge bracing was to minimize bracing that touches the bell to let it resonate.

Jim Scott

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2023-04-08 12:09 p.m.

My local tech shop removed it for free a few years ago when I had an Edwards bell. Torch is the right tool, not a file.

Lhbone · by **Lhbone** » 2023-04-08 4:57 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]Does it not fit with the tab on?[/quote]

It doesn’t fit with the new HB valve sections.

Re: everyone else. Thanks. Off to the tech it is. My plan wasn’t to dremel it down just enough to allow it to fit. Definitely not…

Lhbone · by **Lhbone** » 2023-04-08 5:01 p.m.

[quote="Kdanielsen"]I took one off with a creme brule torch when i was in school. Left a little circle. Your results may vary.[/quote]

That’s hilarious. I do have a kitchen torch…

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2023-04-08 8:18 p.m.

Seriously. About 10 seconds directed at the base of the tab with the kitchen torch. Pull torch back and tap the tab with something. Watch for falling solder. Don’t do this with shorts, carpet, or sandals. Make sure to have the bell sideways so the solder doesn’t fall elsewhere on the bell. And don’t touch hot metal with your bare hands (tuning slide tube or tab). If you want to clean off the solder, have a clean lint free rag handy, wave the torch by, you’ll see the solder get shiny and swat it off… again watch for flying hot metal.

Cheers,

Andy

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2023-04-08 9:28 p.m.

And wear eye protection!!!!

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2023-04-09 10:47 a.m.

Oh yes! Proper PPE!

For a novice, this may include your BBQ apron, oven mits handy, and maybe some tongs. Again, don’t touch hot metal. It won’t look hot.

Cheers,

Andy

UrbanaDave · by **UrbanaDave** » 2025-11-04 4:43 a.m.

Quick Links

Instruments

Marketplace

Removing an Edwards Bell tab