Bell swap?

[Grumpikins]

I have been playing my 1936 Bb one piece recording bell king tuba a lot more lately and the bell is increasingly becoming a nuisance. As in it's big, heavy, and during rehearsals I have to set the tuba down often. IF I were to swap an upright bell on, what are viable bell options? I dont know if I really want to do this, but I would use this tuba a lot more with an upright bell.

[bloke]

two-piece upright bell King BB-flat tubas (in fairly good condition) sell for relatively "not high" prices.

The best of those are the ORIGINAL version of the model 2341, as the 1st and 3rd circuits are shortened to closer to the "correct" length, and the "1" version (as in 2341) features a 4th valve.

It may well be not much more costly (and way less disruptive...and one-piece recording is sorta cool...even if you view it as a nuisance) to just watch the internet and pick up a two-piece, 4-valve, upright bell 2341.

That said, SOMETIMES the newer (one-piece upright bell, and only about 37 inches tall) version of the 2341 can be found used for only about $1000 more than the old two-piece.

1241 (4 valve) or 1240 (3 valve) are the old-old versions (of two-piece upright bell King) whereby the 1st and 3rd circuits are overly long (flat), as with the 3-valve King sousaphones (a tuning compromise to "help" C/B and F/E).

[York-aholic]

Silver or lacquer? Sometime over the summer, I’m have a spare silver King bell stack. You’d still need a King upright detachable bell though. I have a 19” Holton bell with a King collar that I currently use with said bell stack.

If you decide you’d like to perhaps go that route, let me know.

[Grumpikins]

Silver. Although I was thinking along the lines of a one piece bell swap rather than a detachable bell. I dont know if I can push myself to do it though. Just kicking around the idea.

Bloke, I understand what your saying about finding a different horn. I dont want to replace this horn. I guess for sentimental reasons. I'm considering altering it to make it more functional for me.

[bloke]

Silver. Although I was thinking along the lines of a one piece bell swap rather than a detachable bell. I dont know if I can push myself to do it though. Just kicking around the idea.

Bloke, I understand what your saying about finding a different horn. I dont want to replace this horn. I guess for sentimental reasons. I'm considering altering it to make it more functional for me.

Those 22-inch one-piece upright King bells (of the distant past) were pretty nice, but I don't know anyone who has one that would be willing to sell it off.

I respect your feelings, but when I think of swapping out a bell, to me that's nearly swapping out the tuba. I know I'm being redundant, but I would probably keep it as it is (I'm not talking about selling it or giving it up) and just find something good, economical, King, and upright to put with it.

[York-aholic]

I suspect that the 22” fixed upright King bells of long ago are probably going to be much shorter than a 1241/2341 detachable w/upright, ie would make the horn pretty sharp. You could have a longer tuning slide made but…

Should you eventually feel like it, my King bell stack and Holton 19” bell w/king collar are both silver…

[bloke]

I'm not trying to change the subject. This is just a parenthetical response.

I have a four valve front action satin silver 22-in bell King from the distant past here. It's really a fine playing instrument, and probably deserves a fifth valve, but it's not mine; it belongs to customer.

I don't need more tubas...

(Remember me??...the not a collector)

[Grumpikins]

Occasionally I think that my king should have a 4th valve added. But then i realize that 99.5% of what I play now doesnt go below F...

[bloke]

You're surely tired of me responding...
but it's usually better to just buy the factory tuba that has the things that you want - factory installed. ... the bell you want... the valve configuration you want...etc.