Calder Tone Halo initial review

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Burgerbob
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Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by Burgerbob »

I bought one of these little guys a couple weeks ago. I've been trying it on some horns, with the real purpose of using it on the yamaha 830 I have to use at work currently. It's not a good instrument and I'm always looking for ways to make it better!

On horns that I already like, the tone halo doesn't seem to add a lot other than weight. I can feel the sound resonate off the sides of the bell less and that's about all. It's like adding a counterweight tk a horn that doesn't need it- things change but not in a necessarily positive way.

On horns that need some help (like this 830 and a friend's 448G), everything is improved. The bell doesn't waste energy vibrating on problem notes, the sound has more density, and on the 830 especially response is improved all over the instrument. I have been using it all the time at work; yesterday i let another band member use it for a set and the difference was dramatic on my end. The horn was markedly worse.

On the 448G, the sound difference was immediate; my friend reported feeling different feedback of course, but we heard a much more centered, less diffuse sound on the other side.

The weight balance change is not great. After all, it's like adding a screw ring to a bell. It's going to add weight way out in front and to the left.

Here's a super duper high equality photo of it on the work 830:

Image
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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EriKon
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by EriKon »

Very interesting. Seems like mostly everyone is happy with those at least on some horns. I thought about getting one for my Bach 36 where the bell could be dampened a bit especially with louder dynamics.
AtomicClock
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by AtomicClock »

Burgerbob wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:50 pm The weight balance change is not great.
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
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harrisonreed
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by harrisonreed »

Adding the weight to the throat near the brace is better, Aidan. I can make you one of mine in blue to match your uniform.

Here is one on high quality. Great mid-word shot.... :? : :wink:
DSC_5774.jpg
On my 830 I had that area taped with weight and the spot where the bell usually is cut taped. Ugly as heck but it played better.
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Last edited by harrisonreed on Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Burgerbob
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by Burgerbob »

AtomicClock wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:03 pm
Burgerbob wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:50 pm The weight balance change is not great.
"Not great" as in disappointing, or as in subtle?
Sorry, I realized that wording was not clear. It's a bit of both; on something like a bass, it is obvious but not game changing. On a small horn it can make a big difference for the worse.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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officermayo
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by officermayo »

Received my Tone Halo yesterday and tried it on my 2B and medium bore pretzel bone.

Nice improvement on the 2B - high range slots better and low range sounds much fuller.

Not much difference on the f attachment monstrosity, but I do hear a clearer overall tone. As I rarely use the pretzel it's no big deal. VERY happy with the results on the 2B.

The Tone Halo gets the Big Daddy K Seal of Approval.
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ssking2b
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by ssking2b »

Where do you get this TONE HALO?
===============================================
XO Brass Artist - http://www.pjonestrombone.com
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Burgerbob
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by Burgerbob »

Contact Calders Pips Grips on facebook.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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officermayo
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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by officermayo »

ssking2b wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:36 pm Where do you get this TONE HALO?
Contact via email at:
[email protected]
"When in doubt, blow out" - MGySgt M.A. Mayo, Marine Band

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Re: Calder Tone Halo initial review

Post by BGuttman »

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