Posted by Rick Denney on September 22, 2003 at 17:02:17:
In Reply to: What the........? posted by Matt G on September 22, 2003 at 00:00:57:
Tom described this project a while back (linked below). He said it wasn't pretty, but I think it's at least interesting, and I can't detect any irreversible harm. For someone wanting a Conn Orchestra Grand Bass for a good price with the potential for a better bell when one appears, it should meet their needs.
But before rejecting this one, I'd want to play it. Who knows? Those upright bells are rare as hens' teeth and just about as expensive as the tuba body. If this is a really good trick for getting a good, playable upright bell for cheap, then there may be a run on brass trash cans among 20J owners.
In any case, if you wanted the proper recording bell, I'd expect those are available for not too much money. Any 2XJ bell should work.
Rick "who might have tried the same trick on the 20J" Denney