Sorry for all the rambling questions, but I've been curious about screw bell conversions. I'd been thinking that getting a screw bell would be a good investment for college, but is it worth getting a screw bell added to an old horn? Is it better to get the horn relaquered and THEN screw belled? I couldn't even find prices online..is there a conversion price range that anybody would know of? Thanks..again, sorry for pestering.

Screwbell conversions are still a somewhat controversial topic amongst horn players.

A typical conversion will cost about $500 - $600. If you want a pretty horn you might want to wait until after the conversion to relacquer the horn. Because when they do the horn conversion they will damage the lacquer when they unsolder the leadpipe, bell, first branch, etc.And where they cut the bell and solder on the new screw rings. A lacquer job will be about the same cost.

Is it a good investment for college? Not necessarily. There is no discount on college tuition for students with screw bells.

A long, long time ago some horn makers had Ballad Horns that fit into hat boxes. The bell slipped into the end of the wrap and there was clamp that held the bell in place. When more professional, orchestral instruments were made Horns were made with fixed bells. Many repair people only added a screw bell when there so much damage done to the existing bell that it could not be repaired.

The argument you will hear is that a screwbell changes the sound of the instrument. And I agree with this argument. However, how many people who play and how many people who listen are actually going to hear the difference? Not many. (And notice that I did not say it made the soudn worse, just different). The advantage to a screwbell is that you can travel more easily on buses, trains, and planes when you use a screwbell case. Most screwbell cases will fit as carry-on luggage on planes. (Some cases for Conn 6D's with screwbells are just outside the carry-on size - so it doesn't help you there at all).

I like the convenience of detachable bells, but I've not yet found a horn with a detachable bell that I like better in performance and sound than a horn with a fixed bell. Because I do travel I have a horn with a detachable bell. (And although it is extreme and I don't recommend it to you) I actually convert my travel horn when I am not traveling. So, when I am at home I have a fixed bell on the instrument. When I travel I take the fixed bell off and install the detachable bell. But this is an extreme ( I don't know anyone else who does this) but I have the tools, equipment, and experience to do this.

Other advantages of a detachable bell is that you can change bell flare ends to get different responses and sounds. The bell flares can be different sized flares, or different materials.

Wow, thanks again! I might have to rethink this, then..

I wouldn't suggest detaching the bell of your horn for college. If you've already got a horn, I'd stick with that unless you thought it would be worth it because of where you might be taking your horn (long treks across campus, trips, etc.)

I was thinking of cutting the bell when I owned a fixed bell Holton 179 a few years ago. I'm glad I was talked out of it. I was told I'd never get the money I invested back. I eventually sold that Holton for a good price and bought a used screw bell horn.

I love the horn, but really don't like the screw bell! When I first got it, I found it a hassle to remove the bell for rehearsals. And, at the rehearsal I didn't have a safe protected place to put it during breaks.

I now carry it in a fixed bell case or a gig bag to rehearsals. I only remove the bell and carry it in it's flat case if I'm traveling & don't have space for the fixed bell case.

Valerie Wells
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/