Alto bell section behind

[heinzgries]

After playing with my Bach 39 for a while and getting used to the slightly different slide positions, I got an idea. I really like the weight balance of the Bach alto. Since my custom Mittag alto has too much weight on the slide, I extended the connecting piece between slide and bell by 1,1 ".Now the bell section is further back, similar to the Bach alto. The weight balance is much better. Now i have to play with the tuning slide all the way in.

[timothy42b]

Wow, nice work, looks like it was designed that way.

[Burgerbob]

Doesn't that mess with ergonomics? Not to mention a large section of non-tapered tubing where there wasn't before.

[heinzgries]

Wow, nice work, looks like it was designed that way.

The work was done by Torsten Mittag from the "Mannheimer Brassatelier. Years ago he had built this alto originally.

[heinzgries]

Doesn't that mess with ergonomics? Not to mention a large section of non-tapered tubing where there wasn't before.

Now the weight balance is better. The slide position in relationship to the bell flare are like the Bach 39.
I did not notice that the intonation had deteriorated. Lines up are in tune. Perhaps the upper altitudes are a little bit sharp. Now you can play a secure high enough and Bb in 1th position.
Also, the section of non-tapered tubing becomes shorter again, when i must pull the tuning slide all the way in.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

I don’t think Burgerbob’s concern is the balance of the horn. I think he is wondering about the comfort of your left hand. It certainly looks like your thumb must reach back a long distance to reach around that bell brace.

[heinzgries]

Yes you are right, but this photo was made before i put a bullet brace on it

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Well....the bullet brace solves that problem!

[LeTromboniste]

Wouldn't be a problem anyway. There are other grips that don't require to grab the bell brace and are just as (or arguably more) comfortable. I don't use the standard grip on any of my instruments except my Bach 42, because either the brace is flat and sharp, it's too far back, or the joint is friction-fit and can get loose from the slight tork of the standard grip. And even on my 42, it's the standard grip but with a Greenhoe tumbrest which doesn't completely feel like grabbing the bell brace either (it's forward and up from where the brace on a straight horn would be). Now that I got used to something else, grabbing the brace now actually feels weird and not very ergonomical to me.

[dukesboneman]

Giardinelli Moutpiece?

[heinzgries]

yes, 5C

[dukesboneman]

Heinz,
I would be nice to see the entire horn to put it in perspective

[heinzgries]

Heinz,
I would be nice to see the entire horn to put it in perspective

Here is it with a Conn 34H slide which is modified in the same way. The tuning slide is copper gold platted. The mouthpiece is a plastic Tilz Doms 1 cup 26 mm midle deep, throat 5,5 mm. And yes, i am a lefty.