Sousaphone bell rings for a few seconds after the note is played

[BopEuph]

Any solution for this? Kinda annoying when dealing with short notes.

[arpthark]

Vinyl tubing around the bell rim?

[windshieldbug]

See if it does the same thing when mounted on someone else's sousaphone.
If it doesn't, swap bells!

[bloke]

Fiberglass

[Yahnay-san]

I found the ringing interfered with my pitch perception. One or two of these https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-too ... 66055.html helps.

[BopEuph]

Fiberglass

See if it does the same thing when mounted on someone else's sousaphone.
If it doesn't, swap bells!

What would my options be for an old Holton 122?

[LibraryMark]

I used to have a 4-valve Reynolds bell front horn - the bell rang so long after a cutoff that it sounded like too much reverb.

[MiBrassFS]

Any solution for this? Kinda annoying when dealing with short notes.

Some strategically placed lead tape.

[pjv]

I can't remember playing a brass sousaphone which didn't ring. 24" bells ring less.
When playing with others I almost never notice it enough to be distracted. It comes with the gig, as it were.
When practicing I put two padded plastic spring clamps on the bell.
I never thought about using lead tape. I'll have to try this, but I think I'll try duct tape first.

[iiipopes]

On both tuba and souzy bells, I go to the hardware store and buy a length of clear plastic tubing of the inside diameter that will fit over the bell bead. I then take a razor blade, like an exacto knife, and slit it long ways. Then I fit it over the bell. This damps the resonance without affecting the tone. It also provides a decent insurance against dings on the bell.

[bloke]

Refinished bells - in experience - do this more often.

Even thin Conn/King bells (never refinished) seem to do this less often than crap-buffed-out-of-them bells.

...not a "rule"...just a noticeable percentage.