Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

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DeCipherPositions
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Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by DeCipherPositions »

I’ve recently acquired a Bach Corp 42G where the bell seam is misaligned to the bell engraving and mounting brace. The seam is slightly skewed to the left of the brace instead, Is this something vintage Bach trombones are known for? I’ve never seen a Bach bell with a misaligned seam.

Thanks,
- Chris
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baBposaune
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by baBposaune »

It was made on a Friday.
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NotSkilledHere
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by NotSkilledHere »

not entirely sure what you mean and some pics might help with what you are talking about.

but I have a 9" NY50 and the seam does not line up with the brace diamond points. slightly to the left side.

not sure if that helped with the discussion or not.

I don't imagine the alignment of centering to the brace diamond points makes a difference in how it sounds. Might make a difference in how bad someone's OCD gets triggered though!
==========
Albert W.
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Don't let my horn collection fool you; I'm better at collecting than I am at playing.
tbonesullivan
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by tbonesullivan »

I mean, I would assume that the roll stamp is put on before the bell is mounted? And then the model number afterwards? I guess it wasn't quite lined up, but I have seen other instruments where the bell brazing seem is not directly under the brace fittings.

If you like how it plays, I'm not sure it really matters.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
mrdeacon
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by mrdeacon »

You should see my Minick bass bell. Super crooked bell seam. I think it adds to the mojo.
Rath R1, Rath R3, Rath R4, Rath R9, Minick Bass Trombone
tbonesullivan
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by tbonesullivan »

mrdeacon wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 4:41 am You should see my Minick bass bell. Super crooked bell seam. I think it adds to the mojo.
Don't forget older tubas with a Y-seam.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
walldaja
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by walldaja »

My OCD got triggered!
Dave

2020ish? Shires Q30GR with Christian Lindburg 2CL
1982 King 607F/ Butler lp with 13CL
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1967 Olds Ambassador with 10CL
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Jean Baptiste EUPCOMS with Stork 4
timothy42b
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by timothy42b »

NotSkilledHere wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 12:59 am . Might make a difference in how bad someone's OCD gets triggered though!
CDO please. Alphabetical order is preferred.
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elmsandr
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by elmsandr »

Wait until you decide to read up on the Bach Trumpet seams…. They moved the orientation of the seams on those horns at some point and you get some fun opinions there.

I have a couple that were pretty crooked, and have seen some that are almost 45 degrees off. At no point have I thought that it was a critical factor in how the horn responded, but I haven’t tested it much, either.

Cheers,
Andy
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Bach Bell Seam Missalign?

Post by Doug Elliott »

tbonesullivan wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 2:19 pm Don't forget older tubas with a Y-seam.
I have a Conn valve trombone with a Y seam.
With the insert I guess it stretches the sheet metal a lot less and requires fewer steps to make. I wonder why they stopped doing it that way. Appearance?
Lord of the Rims

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