Edwards t396a change bell?

[solidshi8]

I am think about send my t396a to a local repair shop to let them modify it so that it can change other Edwards bell. Anyone has done this before? How is it?

[Kbiggs]

I don’t have a 396A and I’ve never heard of anyone modifying one to change bells. I thought that one purpose of the Harmonic Pillar was to use the metal bars and their placement to change the feel and response of the horn, and thereby eliminate the need for changing bells, leadpipes, and other components...?

[paulyg]

Why not sell it and get an edwards that you can set up similarly?

[Bonearzt]

It would be similar to any Edwards with detachable bells, the only difference is the addition of the pillar.

Doing this would be cheaper than buying a new horn and taking the chance that it plays at least as well as what you have now.

[harrisonreed]

Never heard of anyone doing this? Like this one? With a interchangeable leadpipe, to boot?

[solidshi8]

Actually，I got my t396a since 2011,and since this summer the sound became unfocused than before…I brought it to a local famous repair shop and they said nothing wrong with the horn just because it is too old....
So I am thinking about changing a bell,may solve the problem?

[Burgerbob]

May be a problem with the Rotax valve. I don't see how a bell would change in 5 years.

[Bonearzt]

Actually，I got my t396a since 2011,and since this summer the sound became unfocused than before…I brought it to a local famous repair shop and they said nothing wrong with the horn just because it is too old....
So I am thinking about changing a bell,may solve the problem?

Misaligned valve, bent water key/damaged cork, loose solder joint, mouthpiece not seating correctly, tension somewhere on the horn, you growing out of your mouthpiece, damaged shank, etc.
LOTS of issues that will affect how a horn plays!

Changing the bell will probably not solve the focus issue, you need to figure out what's wrong with you/ your playing/ your horn BEFORE you think about throwing money at the bell!!


Eric

[solidshi8]

By the way, any recommendation about the repair shop in Pittsburgh and Seattle? I’ll travel to these places soon and stay for some time, think about bring my horn there.....

[BGuttman]

In Issaquah, WA you have Benn Hansson (he's a member here as "octavposaune"). Also in Seattle there's Dan Oberloh. Dan may have a throughput problem, though. In the past his shop was so full that turnaround times were rather long.

There are probably some good shops in the Pittsburgh area (which includes eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia).

[GBP]

In Issaquah, WA you have Benn Hansson (he's a member here as "octavposaune"). Also in Seattle there's Dan Oberloh. Dan may have a throughput problem, though. In the past his shop was so full that turnaround times were rather long.

There are probably some good shops in the Pittsburgh area (which includes eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia).

Benn is no longer in Issaquah. He has his own repair shop in the Woodinville area. He doesn’t get on here much. You will need to contact him through email or Facebook.

[GBP]

Actually，I got my t396a since 2011,and since this summer the sound became unfocused than before…I brought it to a local famous repair shop and they said nothing wrong with the horn just because it is too old....
So I am thinking about changing a bell,may solve the problem?

Misaligned valve, bent water key/damaged cork, loose solder joint, mouthpiece not seating correctly, tension somewhere on the horn, you growing out of your mouthpiece, damaged shank, etc.
LOTS of issues that will affect how a horn plays!

Changing the bell will probably not solve the focus issue, you need to figure out what's wrong with you/ your playing/ your horn BEFORE you think about throwing money at the bell!!


Eric

I agree

That is a bad rabbit hole. If it not an equipment issue, what happens is you butcher you horn, making impossible to actually correct the playing problem and also making it impossible to sell the horn for a decent price.

[Kbiggs]

Never heard of anyone doing this? Like this one? With a interchangeable leadpipe, to boot?

Well, it is Joseph Alessi, and it’s his horn, after all... did anyone call the Edwards police?

Seriously, though, a sudden change in the response of the instrument could indicate something mechnical in the horn that needs to be adjusted, like Eric suggested—misalinged rotor, leaky spit valve, perhaps even a leaky tuning slide. If you want to replace the bell or make it interchangeable, go ahead. I’d look at other things before going the expensive route.

[harrisonreed]

I thought it was pretty good. They to great lengths to make sure that leadpipe is soldered in, even though it is threaded.

I'm sure they were still prototyping, but it might actually cost less to produce that horn as a modular one.

[solidshi8]

Thanks! I just sent emails to Oberloah and Benn…
I am sure that it is a problem caused by instrument,because since this summer I borrowed a courtois from my friend and everything is perfect till now…

[Matt K]

What did they mean it was too old? People are seeking out bells from horns made in the 1930s and paying top dolar for them (NY Bachs). I have a feeling there is a game of telephone being played

[davetrombizzle]

Dear OP,

A few years ago, my Rath was taking a lot of effort to play, and wasn’t as satisfying as it had been when I first set it up. I took it to a repair person, who cleaned it, and re-aligned the Hagmann valve. It played dramatically better, like a new horn. Don’t overlook the small stuff before you go big.