Posted by Sam Gnagey on June 03, 1999 at 08:15:10:
In Reply to: "bell ring" posted by David F. on June 02, 1999 at 15:47:39:
A ringing bell really seems to rob my tubas of a lot of the projection and clarity of sound. On my 5/4 Rudy I use the clear split tubing around the bell rim and a leather belt around the trademark area of the bell. I've had my colleagues in the orchestra verify that these additions make a significant difference in how well my sound gets out into our hall. It makes a big difference in the way the instrument responds also.
I've also found that the same thing applies to my Sousaphones. Most brass Sousaphones actually sound and respond better when the original brass bell is replaced with a comparable fiberglass one, because the fiberglass doesn't ring.
It does not work on my 4/4 York which has a short distance of free bell above the body of the instrument.
The nice thing about these changes is that they are cheap to do and readily added or removed without permanently altering the tuba.