Double bell euphonium top bow cork/hole

[arpthark]

Got my mitts on a King double bell euph with two front bells. Borrowed from a friend. Needs a bit of work.

There is a hole stopped with cork on the top bow. It has a nipple similar to a huge water key but no spring/lever or anything, just a hole with cork. What is this for? Looking at catalogs from the era this was on the double front bell version only and not the upright bell version.

[arpthark]

This is so that when you move the small bell (to fit it in the case) you don't end up with a dent there.

Fun horns! I have a King also. Would love to get a 5-valve someday.

[arpthark]

This is so that when you move the small bell (to fit it in the case) you don't end up with a dent there.

Fun horns! I have a King also. Would love to get a 5-valve someday.

Thanks very much for the info! That is exactly it, it seems.

Unfortunately, the valves in this one are beyond shot. It led a well-used life some 100 years ago. I am helping my friend replace the corks/felts and I am hoping that, combined with some heavy oil, will mitigate the leakiness. I am playing it on an Ives piece with offstage "antique" brass band this spring.

[ParLawGod]

I saw a King 5-valve silver-plated (with gold flushes) for sale a week or so ago...but the valves were the worst I had EVER seen. It was also a low pitch instrument, though with modifications to the 1st & 3rd slides to help with pitch. Nearly contacted the seller, but it would have required sinking too much into it.

The Kings have always been my favorite as they have a little "sweeter" sound to them than the other models out there.

[bloke]

As valve rebuilding has become so expensive upon the retirement of Dave Secrist + hyperinflation, I wonder how many beat-up newer valves-compatible instruments are going to be cannibalized so that their valvesets can be transplanted onto vintage instruments of more interest.

Players shun "bell-front baritones", but when they are configured as "double-belled euphoniums", they magically morph themselves into sought-after treasures.

[arpthark]

[bloke]

Well it doesn't involve airliner flight nor an 18-wheeler at 70 miles per hour.

If it works, play it.

[arpthark]

Yep, it'll do.