Posted by Chuck(G) on October 26, 2001 at 15:45:59:
Here's one for the "project horn" fiddlers.
Last night, I was fooling around grafting a larger bottom bow and bell to a small Eb that I have. I did a quick before-after play test noting intonation quirks, and to my surprise, I found that the big bell and bow made not one whit of difference in the intonation properties of the instrument (which were actually pretty good).
The curiosity bug bit me and I changed the leadpipe to a longer one, but with a faster overall taper. This seemed to affect only the high range (above the staff) to any extent; the low- amd middle-register intonation was exactly the same.
What I'm wondering is what section of conical tubing makes the most profound difference in the playing properties of an instrument? Is it the part right after the valves? Has anyone done any experiementing along this line?
Chuck "Color me curious" G.