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During the last week, I have been playing my 2 G-50s (side by side) a lot. One has a York bell and 2 bows, the other is a factory G-50.
They both have their strong points. I'm not sure if the personality of each horn is because of the bell or other factors, so I would love to hear from other players that have York or vintage bells on their instruments.

My horn with the York bell seems to be sweeter/more mellow. Also feels easier to make slurs. The other G-50 with the factory bell seems to be more punchy, well-defined, and articulate. Both horns are great players. The York just seems to be smooth & pretty & the other is tight and more immediate. Sorry for the unmusical terminology. Note: the instrument with the York bell has slightly less compression. It still pops a little when you pull the slides but not like the original factory instrument. They both have the same valve set. I think the Getzens had an MW bell.

What is your take on horns with vintage bells & bows?

TJ

I don't think those 19-in York or Holton bells can quite be duplicated by modern bell spinners.

I really liked my Gnagey with a big, beautiful silver Holton bell that @tubanh84 bought from me five or so years ago. A very pretty yet potentially-punchy sound. I liked the sound a bit more than my current Eastman (which is pretty similar) but the Eastman is easier to steer.

I don't have enough experience with those old Yorks or Holtons to really compare other than tooting on a big 16' one for five minutes after a lesson with a Northern fella. But I really liked the Holton/King Gnagey, just wasn't doing enough tuba-ing at the time to justify owning it.

More to OP's point, I'd love to do a play-test of a modern American BBb vs. an old York or Holton BBb, and I wonder how much of that famous resonance has to do with the bell geometry vs. other internal geometry.

bloke wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:35 pm I don't think those 19-in York or Holton bells can quite be duplicated by modern bell spinners.

Seems to have gone perfectly well for Kanstul.

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