Posted by Sean Chisham on July 23, 1999 at 17:01:09:
In Reply to: instrument attributes posted by mark on July 23, 1999 at 15:17:07:
Larger bore size measurements are mostly touted by instrument marketers as an indication of the size of the sound one will produce on their instruments.
Bell size - see bore size above
Silver vs lacquer is mostly a cosmetic issue. Whichever makes you feel hipper is the one to go with.
From what I understand, the most important factor affecting instrument design is the taper of the cone throughout the instrument. This is not as easily marketable as the bore size or bell size, but makes a great deal more difference in how the instrument reacts to input.
Since a single number can't be easily attached to the shape and layout of this taper, it is best for consumers of musical instruments, namely musicians, to base their judgments of an instruments worth on it's ability to allow one to fulfill one's musical goals based solely on placing one's face up to it and playing it. The black magic of instrument design is not usually fully understandable by you or I. Most designs evolve over decades and generations of constantly evolving experimentation. Walking into a shop and picking out 2 or 3 factors out of hundreds in order to judge an instrument will not cause you to pick out a quality instrument.
sean