Edwards Bells on Bach Bass Trombones

[Wilhelm]

Do Edwards Bells fit on Bach Bass Trombones? I've been looking for a reasonably priced used Bach bell for quite a while with no success. Edwards Bells, however, are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.

Are they a direct fit for Bach basses with removable bells? Or is it a simple task for a instrument repair tech?

Thanks for your input!

[Elow]

I’m not sure if the tuning slide fits the receiver but the mounting hardware should be easy to modify if it doesn’t already fit. I just checked my edwards and it looks like the thing that holds the female screw part is just a thick brass circle that was soldered on so if it doesn’t fit the tech can just unsolder that’s and replace the screw receiver. Another thing that might annoy you if you get an older bell is the things that screw together, i’m not sure what they’re called. The picture shows one

[Redthunder]

I have a Bach 50B with an Edwards bell. I'll take some pictures of it since I bought the horn this way.

[Bonearzt]

I’m not sure if the tuning slide fits the receiver but the mounting hardware should be easy to modify if it doesn’t already fit. I just checked my edwards and it looks like the thing that holds the female screw part is just a thick brass circle that was soldered on so if it doesn’t fit the tech can just unsolder that’s and replace the screw receiver. Another thing that might annoy you if you get an older bell is the things that screw together, i’m not sure what they’re called. The picture shows one

No, the tuning slide receiver on Edwards is larger than Bach and would need to be changed.

Not a very difficult project to make the Edwards fit, but does take some work.

Eric

[ChadA]

I had an Edwards bell grafted to a Bach chassis. My tech had to swap out the Edwards bell's receiver for a Bach one. Edwards are wider where the tuning slide inserts than Bach is. By the time the receiver meets the bell, the difference is apparently small enough to be workable.

[elmsandr]

As stated above, the tuning slide ferrule and receiver is much larger on Edwards than Bach horns. Additionally, the
main brace spacing is different, even if you have the right disconnect parts. Is the Bach you are trying to mount this to fixed or modular? What are you trying to mate up with?

Not difficult changes to make, but you will need parts to make them match and it will perhaps reduce resale on both sides if you try to separate them later for re-sale (depending on what you modify).

However, I have a not great looking Holton 180 flare and tuning slide (no flange, however) that is available VERY cost effectively. The tuning slide on this is exact to my Bach 50s, I picked it up for a project that I am no longer doing. Not the flare if you are looking for perfect/new, but if you want a player it should be just fine.

Cheers,
Andy

[Wilhelm]

Thanks everyone! That's more work than I want to get into! I will stick with Bach bells!

[Bonearzt]

Thanks everyone! That's more work than I want to get into! I will stick with Bach bells!

It is a bit of work, but you do have a HUGE selection of Edwards bells to choose from, moreso than Bach.


Eric