Alto bell section behind

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-05-30 1:49 p.m.

After playing with my Bach 39 for a while and getting used to the slightly different slide positions, I got an idea. I really like the weight balance of the Bach alto. Since my custom Mittag alto has too much weight on the slide, I extended the connecting piece between slide and bell by 1,1 ".Now the bell section is further back, similar to the Bach alto. The weight balance is much better. Now i have to play with the tuning slide all the way in.

timothy42b · by **timothy42b** » 2020-05-30 8:27 p.m.

Wow, nice work, looks like it was designed that way.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2020-05-30 9:14 p.m.

Doesn't that mess with ergonomics? Not to mention a large section of non-tapered tubing where there wasn't before.

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-05-31 4:36 a.m.

[quote="timothy42b"]Wow, nice work, looks like it was designed that way.[/quote]
The work was done by Torsten Mittag from the "Mannheimer Brassatelier. Years ago he had built this alto originally.

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-05-31 4:51 a.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]Doesn't that mess with ergonomics? Not to mention a large section of non-tapered tubing where there wasn't before.[/quote]
Now the weight balance is better. The slide position in relationship to the bell flare are like the Bach 39.

I did not notice that the intonation had deteriorated. Lines up are in tune. Perhaps the upper altitudes are a little bit sharp. Now you can play a secure high enough :trebleclef: :line2: and Bb :trebleclef: :line3: in 1th position.

Also, the section of non-tapered tubing becomes shorter again, when i must pull the tuning slide all the way in.

Crazy4Tbone86 · by **Crazy4Tbone86** » 2020-05-31 10:22 a.m.

I don’t think Burgerbob’s concern is the balance of the horn. I think he is wondering about the comfort of your left hand. It certainly looks like your thumb must reach back a long distance to reach around that bell brace.

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-05-31 2:16 p.m.

Yes you are right, but this photo was made before i put a bullet brace on it

Crazy4Tbone86 · by **Crazy4Tbone86** » 2020-05-31 7:41 p.m.

Well....the bullet brace solves that problem!

LeTromboniste · by **LeTromboniste** » 2020-06-01 5:21 a.m.

Wouldn't be a problem anyway. There are other grips that don't require to grab the bell brace and are just as (or arguably more) comfortable. I don't use the standard grip on any of my instruments except my Bach 42, because either the brace is flat and sharp, it's too far back, or the joint is friction-fit and can get loose from the slight tork of the standard grip. And even on my 42, it's the standard grip but with a Greenhoe tumbrest which doesn't completely feel like grabbing the bell brace either (it's forward and up from where the brace on a straight horn would be). Now that I got used to something else, grabbing the brace now actually feels weird and not very ergonomical to me.

dukesboneman · by **dukesboneman** » 2020-06-01 9:17 a.m.

Giardinelli Moutpiece?

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-06-01 1:27 p.m.

yes, 5C

dukesboneman · by **dukesboneman** » 2020-06-02 6:50 p.m.

Heinz,

I would be nice to see the entire horn to put it in perspective

heinzgries · by **heinzgries** » 2020-06-03 6:23 a.m.

[quote="dukesboneman"]Heinz,

I would be nice to see the entire horn to put it in perspective[/quote]
Here is it with a Conn 34H slide which is modified in the same way. The tuning slide is copper gold platted. The mouthpiece is a plastic Tilz Doms 1 cup 26 mm midle deep, throat 5,5 mm. And yes, i am a lefty.

<IMGUR id="tbfT9hF">https://imgur.com/tbfT9hF</IMGUR>

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Alto bell section behind