Trombone w/ bell cut - should I give it a try ?

mschlee · by **mschlee** » 2025-07-02 12:10 p.m.

Hi all, I found an interesting vintage bass trombone for sale. This has a bell cut (which is not original). Do you guys think that this will affect the tone of the instrument or should I give it a try (it's a couple of 100 miles away).

Thanks for you thoughts - Martin

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2025-07-02 1:33 p.m.

As with any instrument (especially a "vintage"), you should give it a try before purchasing.

In general, cutting a bell may affect the tone - but not necessarily adversely.

Try it - you may like it!

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2025-07-02 2:21 p.m.

[quote="mschlee"]Hi all, I found an interesting vintage bass trombone for sale. This has a bell cut (which is not original). Do you guys think that this will affect the tone of the instrument or should I give it a try (it's a couple of 100 miles away).

Thanks for you thoughts - Martin[/quote]

What instrument did u find?

mschlee · by **mschlee** » 2025-07-02 5:23 p.m.

It‘s a King 6B.

Dennis · by **Dennis** » 2025-07-03 11:35 a.m.

Try everything, keep what works.

heldenbone · by **heldenbone** » 2025-07-05 2:02 a.m.

Alan Raph plays a cut-bell 6B in some of his YouTube videos. The Duo Gravis was designed in cooperation with him by George McCracken at King, so it likely will play OK thus altered. Go play it and give it a chance.

mschlee · by **mschlee** » 2025-07-05 3:22 a.m.

Thx for your input. I understood that a bell cut does not imply to the tone to be deteriorated. I‘ll give it a try.

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2025-07-05 10:41 a.m.

Is this the horn with the added brace and the Thayers? If so, it has had plenty done to it, not just a cut flare. I have no idea what this horn will be; but I would not assume it plays like a DG.

It might be great, but it is likely fairly unique.

Andy

mschlee · by **mschlee** » 2025-07-05 5:33 p.m.

No, it‘s not that one. The other modification is a finger lever for the combined valve. The valves themselves are original IIRC.

Bassbone11 · by **Bassbone11** » 2025-08-14 8:02 p.m.

did you try it out?

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2025-08-16 8:11 a.m.

[quote="mschlee"]No, it‘s not that one. The other modification is a finger lever for the combined valve. The valves themselves are original IIRC.[/quote]

And the verdict is????

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Trombone w/ bell cut - should I give it a try ?