Cutting bells down in size.

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modelerdc
Posts: 352
Joined: May 03, 2018

by modelerdc »

Has anyone ever cut a bell down to a smaller size? For example I have a nice Bach 10 1/2 inch bell that I think would be even better cut down to 10 or 9 1/2 inches. Does anyone know of anyone who does this and what the cost might be? Thanks.
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greenbean
Posts: 1958
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by greenbean »

I have owned a horn with a bell that had been cut from 10 to 9.5 by Robb Stewart in So Cal. Beautifully done.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.
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TheBoneRanger
Posts: 225
Joined: Apr 04, 2018

by TheBoneRanger »

I know Matt Walker (M&W trombones) cut down a Bach 50 bell for a friend of mine when he was living in Australia.

Andrew
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JoeStanko
Posts: 135
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by JoeStanko »

[quote="Burgerbob"]I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.[/quote]

Yes, numerous done by Robb..look at his website showing a Holton 180 he did for me. He can unsolder or solder as per your preference and is a true craftsman.
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mrdeacon
Posts: 1225
Joined: May 08, 2018

by mrdeacon »

[quote="Burgerbob"]I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.[/quote]
Wow when did Rob retire? Amazing craftsman but definitely was pretty curmudgeonly when I met him in high school lol.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

[quote="mrdeacon"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="131918" time="1606596718" user_id="3131">
I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.[/quote]
Wow when did Rob retire? Amazing craftsman but definitely was pretty curmudgeonly when I met him in high school lol.
</QUOTE>

He cleaned my euph in maybe... 2017? At that point he was planning on moving north somewhere on the 5. Since then he has moved and doesn't have a shop, I'm pretty sure.
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modelerdc
Posts: 352
Joined: May 03, 2018

by modelerdc »

Actually this horn with the 10.5 bell plays exceptionally well. Best 50BL I'ved played. It might be better for me just to buy a regular 50B bell and make them interchangeable. The rest of the horn is duo Hagmanns and an Edward slide. As well as it plays I don't feel the over size bell is as suitable for general playing as the standard Bach bell.
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JohnL
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by JohnL »

[quote="Burgerbob"]At that point he was planning on moving north somewhere on the 5. Since then he has moved and doesn't have a shop, I'm pretty sure.[/quote]

A couple years ago he was talking about transitioning to being "semi-retired" and moving up to (IIRC) the Santa Clarita Valley area.

Here's what he says on his website:
I’VE JUST CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF MY 40TH YEAR IN BUSINESS AND I CONTINUE TO CUT BACK MY WORK LOAD. I STILL HAVE A SMALL LIST OF USED BRASS INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE AND I TAKE ON INTERESTING PROJECTS AS I AM ABLE TO.


I wouldn't think cutting down a modern trombone bell would meet Robb's threshold for "interesting".
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spencercarran
Posts: 689
Joined: Oct 17, 2020

by spencercarran »

[quote="JoeStanko"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="131918" time="1606596718" user_id="3131">
I think Robb may have been the only person doing it. He's now retired. I know Joe Stanko had some bells converted in just that same way, but I'm pretty sure it was Robb.[/quote]

Yes, numerous done by Robb..look at his website showing a Holton 180 he did for me. He can unsolder or solder as per your preference and is a true craftsman.
</QUOTE>
How'd cutting the bell affect the 180's sound?