Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

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sirisobhakya
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Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

Post by sirisobhakya »

Just curious. Is it possible to install nickel silver kranz/bell garland to an existing bell? And what would be the effect of it on sound, feel, etc.?
Chaichan Wiriyaswat
Bangkok, Thailand
“Why did I buy so many horns when I only have one mouth…?”
Kbiggs
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Re: Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

Post by Kbiggs »

With enough money, anything is possible! However, I’m thinking that you would probably need to trim the existing rim/bead in order to attach the kranz, which would leave the bell slightly smaller than when you began. You would also need to have the taper of the kranz match the taper of the existing bell exactly, which (I should think) would be difficult. Overall, I’m guessing that the results would not be very satisfactory as the bell would be quite heavy. German instruments with a kranz have very thin bells compared to most other instruments. The kranz adds strength to the bell, and lends German instruments their unique sound and response.
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
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hornbuilder
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Re: Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

Post by hornbuilder »

What is it you're wanting to achieve by adding a Kranz? That alone will not make the horn "German".
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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sirisobhakya
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Re: Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

Post by sirisobhakya »

hornbuilder wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:25 am What is it you're wanting to achieve by adding a Kranz? That alone will not make the horn "German".
I am just curious on what would the kranz does to the sound of a bell, especially a bell that does not built with a kranz in mind.
Chaichan Wiriyaswat
Bangkok, Thailand
“Why did I buy so many horns when I only have one mouth…?”
hornbuilder
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: Adding nickel silver kranz (garland) to a bell

Post by hornbuilder »

It would make the bell heavier, less responsive, and feel "smaller" in regards how "spread" the sound is.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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