Cut bell in long term

[sirisobhakya]

After much deliberation (and many horns sold), I have finally placed an order for the Yamaha YBL-835D, for end December arrival. This is my first cut bell horn, and maybe my last horn for at least next 10-15 years.

Maybe this is only my paranoia, but I am a bit worried that screwing in and out every day will wear and tear the screw thread down and probably affect the sound/playability. So my plan is to leave the bell screwed in except for occasional thread lubrication, and use normal case. I normally don’t fly with the horn anyway.

But on the other hand, hornists screw the bell regularly and there seems to be no problem… right?

So I would like to ask those who use cut bell horn regularly: how is your bell and the screw thread hold up? Any ill effect from screwing in and out regularly?

[pbone3b]

The whole point is for ease of transportation, with a case made to accommodate.
Why do it at all if you never use it?

[Doug Elliott]

And if you leave it on for long periods of time, it may get stuck.
There is no danger to the threads from repeatedly taking it on and off.

[elmsandr]

The threads will last roughly FOREVER provided you do not over torque them.

Cheers,
Andy

[Burgerbob]

Like doug said, you really want to take it apart regularly so it doesn't get stuck. I highly doubt you'll do it so much that it'll degrade.

[harrisonreed]

Horn players do this every single day with no issues.

[sirisobhakya]

The whole point is for ease of transportation, with a case made to accommodate.
Why do it at all if you never use it?

The sound and the feeling. I have tried the 835 and 835D back-to-back. The 835D packs considerably more “punch”. Personally as an engineering graduate (but work in unrelated field now sadly) I don’t want additional point of failure. But the sound of the cut bell version is much better I chose to go with it.


Thank you all. I will make sure I don’t over-torque it.

[pbone3b]

But the sound of the cut bell version is much better I chose to go with it.


Thank you all. I will make sure I don’t over-torque it.

[muschem]

The whole point is for ease of transportation, with a case made to accommodate.
Why do it at all if you never use it?

The sound and the feeling. I have tried the 835 and 835D back-to-back. The 835D packs considerably more “punch”. Personally as an engineering graduate (but work in unrelated field now sadly) I don’t want additional point of failure. But the sound of the cut bell version is much better I chose to go with it.


Thank you all. I will make sure I don’t over-torque it.

I have a few cut bells for tenor and bass in various materials. I sometimes wonder about durability of the delrin threads on my Butler JJ, but for the brass/bronze threaded rings, I have not experienced any issues. I will say that if it is just the sound and feeling you're after, the Calder Pips Tone Halos on my uncut bells provide very similar benefits to what I get from the cut bell rings. Might be worth trying one of those on an uncut bell sometime to compare.

[chromebone]

My wife has a 1961 Conn 8D horn with a cut bell that was cut at least 40 years ago and it’s just fine.

[SamBTbrn]

The YBL-835D with screwbell really does play much better than the non screw version, it's really funny how it made such a difference.

As everyone else has said, use the bell as it's intended, take it apart and use the wonderful small and lighter case everyday as you need it, it will be fine!

Enjoy the new trombone!!

[tbonesullivan]

The YBL-835D with screwbell really does play much better than the non screw version, it's really funny how it made such a difference.

I keep wanting to pick up one of those "tone ring" type things and try it out, as I have heard that the changes are somewhat similar to a cut bell, without the cut bell price. The cut bell does add a good amount of weight, which definitely would change how the bell section as a whole resonates.

[BoomtownRath]

Speaking as a toolmaker/CNC machinist I can verify that the threads won't wear due to daily removal, don't over-think the situation. You have received good advice here from various people who know what they're talking about I suggest you take it.

[jacobgarchik]

Put graphite lubricant on the threads every couple years. Or draw on with a pencil. I have had my 2 cut bell horns for 15 years.
One of them doesn't engage the threads as easily as it once did...but once you find them by spinning backwards it's ok.