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Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 4:14 am
by humBell
"Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134457579252
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:30 am
by arpthark
Aside from the missing B.A.B. (big-@$$ brace) on the bell and the unfortunate galactic-rift tear in the body, it seems like it's mostly there?
Valves are a whole 'nother story, though; seller says they are stuck, so who knows. Still cool.
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:24 am
by humBell
If BAT is a thing, what about a BAH?
I am intrigued by the King style MTS.
And feel safe in guessing this is a BBb despite the lack of loop in the 3rd valve circuit. York helicon is my personal counter example to that rule of thumb.
Sadly i am not anticipating passing through anytime soon, and i think this may be the seller of infinite patience when last i failed to effect a local pickup in the area in a timely fashion.
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 11:14 am
by donn
Looks Eb to me, really. Valve section a lot like a '30s King. The serial number would be ca. 1940 if the "2" above makes it a 6 digit number.
The bell may not be from the same instrument. Note the last picture - sans bell, non? No detachable bell collar joint, the bell is just not soldered on. Looks kind of funky, too - that jagged dark line around the small end, what's going on there?
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 12:16 pm
by windshieldbug
No, it's a 5 digit Grand Rapids BIC.
It IS Eb, though.
Look at this GRBIC #38894 on Horn-u-copia:
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:47 pm
by Yorkboy
According to the seller it has a 6” crack in the bell rim, too.
The “2” above the serial number is undoubtedly for “piston #2”…besides, the likelihood of an E flat helicon being produced @ 1940 is pretty low, I’d think.
Lots of work needed there…..
Re: Grand Rapids Helicon project
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:36 pm
by humBell
windshieldbug wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 12:16 pm
No, it's a 5 digit Grand Rapids BIC.
It IS Eb, though.
Look at this GRBIC #38894 on Horn-u-copia:
I chose... poorly.
And only 13 removed from the horn-u-copia example.