Can't believe my homemade fix actually worked!

[nateaff]

I have a 1961 Holton Galaxy (the older style thata fully nickel-silver rather than nickel plated) and love the way it plays enough that I sold my 2B as it was getting left at home

Everything about it was a joy to play EXCEPT that there was some little bit of detritus inside the rim of the bell that rattled around and buzzed on the D above middle C. It was sooo annoying and I couldn't get it out. I must have tried digging around in that little unsoldered rim with a tiny bit of steel wire for hours and couldn't get the little buzz out.

I figured if I could jam the buzz in place that would solve the problem, so I got out the trusty old creme brulee torch and melted an ounce or so of beeswax all the way around the rim. I scraped and scrubbed off all the excess and it works like a dream now! No buzz, the bell is still as alive as ever, no complaints.

I have no idea if this is a legitimate fix that techs have done before, but its stupid and it works...

[Kingfan]

If it works, it isn't stupid. Good thinking!

[BrassSection]

Never sell yourself short on repairs within your realm! I’ve done many a Hillbilly engineering repair using a welder, carpentry tools and skills, metal working skills, etc on everything from furniture to tractors to internal combustion engines. Just think before you try something, alway try to think “What if”. If something seems dangerous, it probable is.

[NotSkilledHere]

probalby a bead of solder vibrated loose and was just boucing about. if it works it aint dumb! sometimes creativity is just the right solution!

[JohnL]

I was thinking that the beeswax might react with the brass over time, but apparently, beeswax can be used to prevent corrosion on brass.

[baileyman]

Cue discussion on bad sound due to dampened bell vibration...

[hornbuilder]

Cue discussion on bad sound due to dampened bell vibration...

Laughs in soldered bead..

[nateaff]

Maybe there's an unexplored commercial angle here... TONE WAX

[BarryDaniels]

In the guitar making world, where I came from, wax potting consisting of melted paraffin, is used for soaking pickup coils to attenuate microphonic effects. Some claim that it does actually does affect tone.