Shops for getting a bell cut

Jpotts · by **Jpotts** » 2024-06-13 6:26 p.m.

I'm sure this has probably been discussed already but I'm new here and have no idea how to search topics without scrolling through every page. Does anyone have recommendations of shops to get a bell cut? I know BAC can do it but I've heard not great things about them and was wondering who else can do this. Thanks!

JLivi · by **JLivi** » 2024-06-13 9:23 p.m.

Not sure where you live, but the places I’ve known or thought about myself are

J Landress (NY)

Sweeney Brass (NC)

Dana Hofer (IL)

Matt Walker (WI - M&W)

I’m sure there are plenty of others too. Those are just who I know.

mbarbier · by **mbarbier** » 2024-06-13 9:46 p.m.

John Sandhagen, aka the Boneyard, did mine and did a great job. He's in Pomona, Ca.

octavposaune · by **octavposaune** » 2024-06-13 10:48 p.m.

Jpotts,

I see you are at Langston Univeristy, Kevin Stiles at Heritage Music Repair could accomodate you. Heritage is almost 6 hours away, so shipping shouldn't be too long.

I also cut a couple bells a year, but there are capable people quite near you...

Best of luck,

Benn

Jpotts · by **Jpotts** » 2024-06-13 10:52 p.m.

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions!

jthomas105 · by **jthomas105** » 2024-06-14 7:39 p.m.

Houghton Horns just north of Ft Worth can do it. He started out as a horn shop so has cut many bells. He has expanded to trombones as well. His shop has always done repairs on all instruments. 3 1/2 hour drive

Also might check with Colter at one of the Larsen stores there in OKC. He is trombonist and does really good work but I don't know about bell cutting.

Jpotts · by **Jpotts** » 2024-06-14 8:56 p.m.

Yea, I've met Colter. He's awesome! Didn't ask about the having a bell cut, but I will next time I'm up there

jthomas105 · by **jthomas105** » 2024-06-15 4:56 p.m.

Then you have probably met my brother, Don, the other guy in the shop with Colter.

Jpotts · by **Jpotts** » 2024-06-15 5:00 p.m.

Wow, small world! Yea, I know Don. We both teach lessons at Deer Creek

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2024-06-16 1:47 a.m.

Gary Dafler (Hauer Music in Dayton Ohio) and George Schlub in Miamisburg, Ohio have both done clean work for me. Downside was that both had a significant wait time ordering ring sets. Rob Phillips (Buckeye Brass near Columbus, Ohio) told me he has ring sets in stock, but I've never seen one of his cut bells.

jthomas105 · by **jthomas105** » 2024-06-20 1:19 p.m.

I talked to Don and he said that Colter does cut bells.

Jpotts · by **Jpotts** » 2024-06-20 1:21 p.m.

Awesome! That'll be much easier than shipping a bell somewhere

Briande · by **Briande** » 2025-10-17 6:02 p.m.

Resurrecting an old thread. Any recommendations in Michigan to have this done? I noticed a couple in Ohio (which isn’t too far). My local shop Meridian Winds is really good as they do a lot of work with Michigan State University faculty and students but I’m not sure if they have ever done this before (suppose I could ask).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

nateaff · by **nateaff** » 2025-10-17 7:46 p.m.

[quote="Briande"]Resurrecting an old thread. Any recommendations in Michigan to have this done? I noticed a couple in Ohio (which isn’t too far). My local shop Meridian Winds is really good as they do a lot of work with Michigan State University faculty and students but I’m not sure if they have ever done this before (suppose I could ask).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.[/quote]

I'm sure there's a shop in Chicago that would do it, probably O'Malleys

Gfunk · by **Gfunk** » 2025-10-17 8:24 p.m.

[quote="Briande"]Resurrecting an old thread. Any recommendations in Michigan to have this done? I noticed a couple in Ohio (which isn’t too far). My local shop Meridian Winds is really good as they do a lot of work with Michigan State University faculty and students but I’m not sure if they have ever done this before (suppose I could ask).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.[/quote]

You could talk to Jacob Hoskins at West Michigan Band. He’s done great work for me. He’s started to get some of the big names in Michigan trusting him with their horns too.

I’m not sure if he’s done cutting a trombone bell before since his background is in trumpet. He’s very accessible by calling the shop or email. He will be honest and communicative with you.

If he says no, I think he’d probably point you towards O’Malley.

Blabberbucket · by **Blabberbucket** » 2025-10-18 1:09 p.m.

[quote="Briande"]Resurrecting an old thread. Any recommendations in Michigan to have this done? I noticed a couple in Ohio (which isn’t too far). My local shop Meridian Winds is really good as they do a lot of work with Michigan State University faculty and students but I’m not sure if they have ever done this before (suppose I could ask).

Any recommendations would be appreciated.[/quote]

I would be surprised it Meridian didn't have someone that could confidently cut a trombone bell.

But yes, O'Malleys in Chicago can absolutely do this for you - I have cut many trombone bells.

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