I wanted to ask and see if anyone would know if it's possible to mod a 1955 Eb Helicon to a Bb Helicon, I made a post about this Helicon and the "problems" it has but thought I would get insight on this and see if this is something even doable.
Please let me know would love to get other technicians' opinions and see how I can go about this!
While I am certainly no tech, I do know that a lot of tubing would have to be soldered in to make the conversion to BBb. Not only to the main body of the horn, but to the journals as well. Is it possible? Yes, if you have the cash. Is it advisable? I wouldn't do it. To me, it would be easier to find a Helicon already pitched in BBb.
These users thanked the author Schlepporello for the post:
If the tubes must be altered for pitch, why not shorten it more and put it in F?
In the other thread on this, it was suggested that this horn needed "tuning bits" and that the absence of said bits would cause it to play high. You could give that a try by making a "tuning bit' out of flexible plastic tubing and adjust the length of the piece of tubing to see if it could be put into tune. If it could be, then look for tuning bits or have one made.
Here's how I converted an Eb helicon to a BBb helicon:
I sold my Eb helicon.
I converted a BBb sousaphone into a helicon.
Like others have said, that's a lot of tubing to add with very questionable results. I liked my Eb helicon (very sweet sound and super easy to play and hold), but it lacked the "punch" or "presence" of a BBb horn, so I got a BBb one.
Good luck!
Jordan King 2341 with Holton Monster Eb Bell
King/Conn Eb Frankentuba
Pan AmeriConn BBb Helicon
Yamaha YBB-103
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