Calder Tone Halo initial review
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I bought one of these little guys a couple weeks ago. I've been trying it on some horns, with the real purpose of using it on the yamaha 830 I have to use at work currently. It's not a good instrument and I'm always looking for ways to make it better!
On horns that I already like, the tone halo doesn't seem to add a lot other than weight. I can feel the sound resonate off the sides of the bell less and that's about all. It's like adding a counterweight tk a horn that doesn't need it- things change but not in a necessarily positive way.
On horns that need some help (like this 830 and a friend's 448G), everything is improved. The bell doesn't waste energy vibrating on problem notes, the sound has more density, and on the 830 especially response is improved all over the instrument. I have been using it all the time at work; yesterday i let another band member use it for a set and the difference was dramatic on my end. The horn was markedly worse.
On the 448G, the sound difference was immediate; my friend reported feeling different feedback of course, but we heard a much more centered, less diffuse sound on the other side.
The weight balance change is not great. After all, it's like adding a screw ring to a bell. It's going to add weight way out in front and to the left.
Here's a super duper high equality photo of it on the work 830:
On horns that I already like, the tone halo doesn't seem to add a lot other than weight. I can feel the sound resonate off the sides of the bell less and that's about all. It's like adding a counterweight tk a horn that doesn't need it- things change but not in a necessarily positive way.
On horns that need some help (like this 830 and a friend's 448G), everything is improved. The bell doesn't waste energy vibrating on problem notes, the sound has more density, and on the 830 especially response is improved all over the instrument. I have been using it all the time at work; yesterday i let another band member use it for a set and the difference was dramatic on my end. The horn was markedly worse.
On the 448G, the sound difference was immediate; my friend reported feeling different feedback of course, but we heard a much more centered, less diffuse sound on the other side.
The weight balance change is not great. After all, it's like adding a screw ring to a bell. It's going to add weight way out in front and to the left.
Here's a super duper high equality photo of it on the work 830:
- EriKon
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Apr 03, 2022
Very interesting. Seems like mostly everyone is happy with those at least on some horns. I thought about getting one for my Bach 36 where the bell could be dampened a bit especially with louder dynamics.
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
[quote="Burgerbob"]The weight balance change is not great.[/quote]
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
Adding the weight to the throat near the brace is better, Aidan. I can make you one of mine in blue to match your uniform.
Here is one on high quality. Great mid-word shot.... :? : <span class="emoji" title=":wink:">😉</span>
<ATTACHMENT filename="DSC_5774.jpg" index="0">[attachment=0]DSC_5774.jpg</ATTACHMENT>
On my 830 I had that area taped with weight and the spot where the bell usually is cut taped. Ugly as heck but it played better.
Here is one on high quality. Great mid-word shot.... :? : <span class="emoji" title=":wink:">😉</span>
<ATTACHMENT filename="DSC_5774.jpg" index="0">
On my 830 I had that area taped with weight and the spot where the bell usually is cut taped. Ugly as heck but it played better.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
[quote="AtomicClock"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="239799" time="1712523017" user_id="3131">
The weight balance change is not great.[/quote]
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
</QUOTE>
Sorry, I realized that wording was not clear. It's a bit of both; on something like a bass, it is obvious but not game changing. On a small horn it can make a big difference for the worse.
The weight balance change is not great.[/quote]
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
</QUOTE>
Sorry, I realized that wording was not clear. It's a bit of both; on something like a bass, it is obvious but not game changing. On a small horn it can make a big difference for the worse.
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
Received my Tone Halo yesterday and tried it on my 2B and medium bore pretzel bone.
Nice improvement on the 2B - high range slots better and low range sounds much fuller.
Not much difference on the f attachment monstrosity, but I do hear a clearer overall tone. As I rarely use the pretzel it's no big deal. VERY happy with the results on the 2B.
The Tone Halo gets the Big Daddy K Seal of Approval.
Nice improvement on the 2B - high range slots better and low range sounds much fuller.
Not much difference on the f attachment monstrosity, but I do hear a clearer overall tone. As I rarely use the pretzel it's no big deal. VERY happy with the results on the 2B.
The Tone Halo gets the Big Daddy K Seal of Approval.
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
[quote="ssking2b"]Where do you get this TONE HALO?[/quote]
Contact via email at:
<EMAIL email="calderpipsmusic@gmail.com">calderpipsmusic@gmail.com</EMAIL>
Contact via email at:
<EMAIL email="calderpipsmusic@gmail.com">calderpipsmusic@gmail.com</EMAIL>
- ssking2b
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Sep 29, 2018
I have received my callder – pips halo and put it on my 88H. I have had for
years of sympathetic ring in the bell on the G overtone series. The halo has completely stopped that while not totally deadening the horn. It plays great.
years of sympathetic ring in the bell on the G overtone series. The halo has completely stopped that while not totally deadening the horn. It plays great.
- conn88Hagmann
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Aug 09, 2018
Over 500 of these now out there in the wild!
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- BPBasso
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- Joined: Mar 31, 2025
- conn88Hagmann
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Aug 09, 2018
Ping us an email at <EMAIL email="calderpipsmusic@gmail.com">calderpipsmusic@gmail.com</EMAIL> to order yours! <EMOJI seq="1f44c-1f3fb" tseq="1f44c-1f3fb">👌🏻</EMOJI><EMOJI seq="1f64f-1f3fb" tseq="1f64f-1f3fb">🙏🏻</EMOJI>
- conn88Hagmann
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