More centered sound

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bigbandbone
Posts: 602
Joined: Jan 17, 2019

by bigbandbone »

I own two bass bones. My 72H lives in Cleveland and I love it! I play mainly big band and I get a very compact, centered, and edgey sound which I love!

My TR180 stays in Florida and I just kind of like it. The sound spreads too much for my taste and not enough edge. It’s bone stock and I’m playing it with a V cup Macinkowitz 1 1/2 G. I’ve also added a 10” piece of peel and stick foam weather stripping to the bell flare which seems to help.

What other mods can I make to the 180 to get the sound I’m after or should I just trade it in on a vintage Conn?
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ithinknot
Posts: 1339
Joined: Jul 24, 2020

by ithinknot »

Nothing else is much like a small taper Conn (71/72/73H), so if that's what you like just get another. Holtons are fundamentally wider sounding, especially with the 10" bell, so don't fight it.

73H if you want a dependent double like the 180. Assuming equivalent condition, valuewise those two would probably be a straight trade, so you might even find someone who wants to swap.
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GabrielRice
Posts: 1496
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by GabrielRice »

Agreed.
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OneTon
Posts: 757
Joined: Nov 02, 2021

by OneTon »

Are you playing both horns with the same mouthpiece? Is your Marcinkiewicz 1 1/2 G a custom mouthpiece? I am not really seeing a reference to “deep v” on Marcinkiewicz’s site.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed » (edited 2024-02-06 11:00 a.m.)

Unpopular opinion, but wrap the throat of the bell with leather, tape, or suede. You can add metal rods to add weight. This will give you more focus and fundamental / core.
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WGWTR180
Posts: 2152
Joined: Sep 04, 2019

by WGWTR180 »

Conns and Holtons are apples and oranges. The 10inch bell doesn’t help on the 180 either. Sounds like you are a vintage Conn guy.
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AtomicClock
Posts: 1094
Joined: Oct 19, 2023

by AtomicClock »

Calderpips tone halo?
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meine
Posts: 397
Joined: Feb 25, 2021

by meine »

Had a similar problem with my Williams. Put some weight on the handslide and it‘s solved. I taped some plated of lead on it, in total 80 gramms. Works very good.
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WGWTR180
Posts: 2152
Joined: Sep 04, 2019

by WGWTR180 »

Ugh. I would never do that to a slide.
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GabrielRice
Posts: 1496
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by GabrielRice »

Word of warning: electrical tape like that will trap moisture and corrode the brass.
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OneTon
Posts: 757
Joined: Nov 02, 2021

by OneTon »

Brass Exchange out of St Louis has a 72H in playable but rough condition at a reasonable price. He takes trades and consignments.