Bell construction variables - Seams, Bracing, and Rims
These are some additional details about the construction of Bach Stradivarius trumpet bells, including changes in rims, seam location, and bracing on historical and present-day Bach Stradivarius trumpets.
Early Bach trumpets used cast braces to attach the bell to the lead pipe and valve block. Bach trumpets in the 1970s to 2000s used forged S braces are used instead. Recently, Conn Selmer started to use cast braces again on the 190 series of Bach Stradivarius trumpets.
The Elkhart bells (>1965) have full round bell wire, versus early Bach trumpets, which had a more traditional French half-round bead.
Need to add more content about using brass and steel wire.
Early Elkhart, Mt. Vernon bells have the seam running towards the valve section. There have been different variations through the serial numbers. Some other examples include (looking into the bell).
- 117XX (NY 37ML) = 6 o’clock
- 188XX (MtV M Bore) = 7 o’clock
We need to add more content about bell seam locations.
Bell Seam Example [1]
Serial Number 48765
On older New York & Mount Vernon-era Bach trumpets, the bell thickness is tapered as the bell flares out. Today, the bell thickness is much more uniform through modern manufacturing techniques such as hydroforming the bells (since 1973/1974), allowing for a similar sound compared to daily manufacturing variations. This is one reason why older Bach trumpets often have a different sound.
source: from various Bach loyalists
source: Chris Kase [1]
source: Vincent Bach Corporation, The Selmer Company, Conn Selmer
