Double Bell 4 Valve Bb Trumpet Selmer K-Modified 24B and Conn Vocabell W-Case

Also offered is an excellent condition large multi-horn Getzen case. The horn is raw brass(no lacquer), nickel and silver-plated(Vocabell bell).

The description of this horn is rather lengthy and as detailed as you may need or want, or not. The horn was assembled after careful selection of various brands/models of appropriate instrument parts. My main objective was to create a multi-purpose double bell Bb trumpet capable of delivering two distinctly different tones with different inherent resonance characteristics.

The silver-plated Conn 48A Vocabell(serial # 320136) rimless cornet bell(diameter 4.65) with Pan engraving was manufactured in 1937. The Selmer K-Modified(serial # 39193) bell diameter measures 4.75 made in Paris, France in 1967. Much work went into researching the methods of moving air flow from the main bell(Selmer bell) to the top silver-plated Conn 48A Vocabell bell. For this instrument a 4th piston method was chosen to change air flow direction.

The 4th piston was painstakingly added to the main valve block assembly after sealing off one port. The 4th piston was taken from a 1921 Conn large bore trumpet (serial #180721) valve cluster(1st valve only). When playing the instrument to change from the main bell(Selmer) to the Vocabell bell it is only necessary to push the 4th finger button(most forward piston) down.

The finger button must be held down usually with the left hand index finger continuously to access the Vocabell. When the 4th finger button is released and in the up position the air flow reverts back to the main bell(Selmer bell). Please check out my other listing of another 2 bell trumpet that utilizes a rotary valve to change air flow. Some folks might be concerned about the overall weight of the instrument.

If you consider the addition of one extra bell the overall weight of this instrument is no more than the weight of the additional bell which is under one additional pound. Many pros and/or collectors will notice other apparent instrument parts from various manufacturers incorporated into this instrument. My intent was not to create a "Frankenstein" instrument but to give the instrument a character of its own. Some interesting parts you may notice: The main tuning slide with a trombone style waterkey is from a 1950's era Getzen Tone Balanced Super Deluxe trumpet(serial #36517). The pinky finger ring and the 3rd valve slide finger ring are both from a Taylor Phat flugelhorn. The thumb ring stationed on the Selmer bell tail is a ring from an ancient tubanot the same as the other 2 Taylor rings.

By the way the forward thumb ring is convenient for keeping the left hand steady and anchored while depressing the 4th piston typically with the left index finger. The pull knobs on the 1st and 2nd slides are from a H.

White/King Silvertone and Bach Stradivarius trumpets respectively. The 3rd slide waterkey came from the same 1921 large bore Conn trumpet that the 4th piston came from. A 3rd valve slide1950's era Conn Connstellation 38B stop rod/holder was added with 2 nuts and a rubber bumper O ring(part added after pictures shown with trumpet disassembled). The Selmer K-Modified 24B mouthpiece receiver/leadpipe/mouthpipe are from the same instrument as the Selmer K-Modified 24B bell.

Also the receiver/bell and mouthpipe/bell braces are from same Selmer K-Modified 24B trumpet. The instrument has been chem-cleaned and thoroughly cleaned inside and out.

The raw brass parts were buffed and polished and not re-lacquered. If you are a raw brass fan and desire the true inherent sound characteristics of both bells you are in luck. The patina of a raw brass instrument will return in time.

Some slight signs of last step buffing swirls somewhat noticeable here and there please see pictures. The silver-plating on the Vocabell bell is not 100% as there are signs of raw brass where the bell was unsoldered at the braces in 3 spots please see pictures. However the bell and "Pan" engraving is very crisp and gorgeous. The horn was ultrasonically cleaned as well. All new valve stem corks, felts and springs.

The 3rd valve slide finger ring moves freely without drag. Excellent valve speed and compression. The oversized Getzen multi-horn case is in excellent condition. The case is able to hoId the double bell horn and another full sized trumpet with room to the posterior for accessories such as mutes etc. There is also an additional storage area under where the double bell horn rests. Oils, pencils, cleaning products can be stored there out of the way. The case has been sanitized with a hospital grade disinfectant, no musty odors to be concerned about. The case latches work fine and secure instruments nicely. If one wanted to carry a flugelhorn instead of the double bell horn the case allows accommodation of most brands of flugelhorns. It truly is an all purpose case.

There is one key available for this case. The horn is clean, shiny, sanitized, valves oiled, slides lubricated and ready to play right out of the box.

I have been working on the concept of this particular double bell instrument for quite some time. I have tried multiple configurations before finalizing this completed instrument. I wanted a double bell multi-purpose horn that could be rendered useful with many genres of music. Time is the real issue with building a horn like the one offered here.

In configuring this horn I was able to demonstrate to myself and to the public attending some of the gigs in which I used this horn that it is truly and amazing instrument worthy of praise. I found it useful in dixieland style music as well as jazz work. When soloing the horn really can yield many different sounds.

Typically I would use a combination of mutes or a mute in one bell and open on the other. In configuring this instrument the Conn 48A cornet bell was selected due to the need to assure the bell to tail measurement on both bells was exactly equal in relation to where the 2 bell tails exit the 4th piston. If the distance was different the intonation would have been compromised from bell to bell. With this configuration both bells yield the same pitch regardless of notes selected on the scale. In comparison when either bell is selected via the 4th piston and without mute(mutes) there is definite differences in sound characteristics from bell to bell. When the Vocabell bell is selected in the open format the overall sound is that of a lead trumpet with big projection as opposed to the darker/warmer jazz flavored Selmer bell which could surpass in playing more intimate pieces such as ballads. I hope in my description of the instrument and playing versatility that some of your questions have been answered. Feel free to ask questions. There have been several attempts over the years in configuring a double bell trumpet.

There have been variations using rotor valves and/or a 4th piston with the 2 bells in different directions and planes. I have tried many configurations as prototypes. If you read my description you will see why I chose the setup shown in the pictures. If you "google"double bell trumpet then "youtube" videos of same you will be able to see and hear the typical variations in configurations/sounds of a double bell trumpet demonstrated by several artists.

In my opinion the configuration I have chosen with all its amenities yields the best flexibility and offers better intonation qualities than any double bell horn produced to date. It also fits in a somewhat standard multi horn case. The item "Double Bell 4 Valve Bb Trumpet Selmer K-Modified 24B and Conn Vocabell W-Case" is in sale since Sunday, November 18, 2018.

This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Brass\Trumpets". The seller is "jaggarbotz" and is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This item can be shipped to United States.

Key: Bb X2
Model: K-Modified 24B Conn Vocabell 48A
Bell Diameter: 4.75" Selmer Paris 4.65" Conn Vocabell
Modified Item: Yes
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Valve Material: Monel
Valves Type: Piston x4
Bell Material: Brass / Silver-plare
Type: Jazz
Items Included: Ultra Pure Deluxe cleaning kit, Spit Balls
Trumpet Type: All around specialty horn(multi-purpose)
Finish: Raw Brass / Silver-plated
Finish Material: Brass/Nickel/Silver-Plate
Modification Description: See main page
Bore Size: .458"
Brand: Selmer Paris Conn Vocabell
Skill Level: Professional
Leadpipe Material: Brass X2