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Hbc - wtf?

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  • anadmai
    Senior Member
    • Mar 2022
    • 266

    Hbc - wtf?

    Just like Frozen Caveman Laywer (RIP Phil Hartman), I've been frozen in the ice and away from the music world from 1995-2022. In this time so much has changed.

    What in the world is a Heavy Bottom Cap and WTF is it supposed to do? I checked out the site and I'm still confused. Yes, I am blonde, but that's besides the point. LOL.
    DANA


    Meet the Family
    Junior - Euphonium - 1906 - Henry Distin Mfg.
    Hastings - Trombone - 1952 - Boosey and Hawkes
    Bramwell - Euphonium - 1988 - Besson/Boosey and Hawkes (BE967)
    Margaret - Baritone - 2015 - Sterling1050HS
    Albert - Eb Bass - 2023 - Dillon 981S


    New York Staff Band - 2nd Baritone - 1991-1994
    Philadelphia Freedom Band - Euphonium
    Lancaster British Brass Band (all hail the 2nd baritone) - 2022-
  • highpitch
    Senior Member
    • Mar 2006
    • 1034

    #2
    Supposedly it dampens the miniscule vibrations present in some compensating euphs 4th valve.

    This in turn 'supposedly' redirects that energy back into the airstream, rather using it to vibrate the 4th casing.

    Wait till you discover the LeFreak Plates, little bits of noble metals to strap on your horn's curves to 'amplify' the tone and tuning...

    Nah. But what would you expect from a guy with a landline phone and incandescent bulbs...

    DG

    Comment

    • anadmai
      Senior Member
      • Mar 2022
      • 266

      #3
      ����*♀️ Too much for my head this hour of the morning.


      Originally posted by highpitch View Post
      Supposedly it dampens the miniscule vibrations present in some compensating euphs 4th valve.

      This in turn 'supposedly' redirects that energy back into the airstream, rather using it to vibrate the 4th casing.

      Wait till you discover the LeFreak Plates, little bits of noble metals to strap on your horn's curves to 'amplify' the tone and tuning...

      Nah. But what would you expect from a guy with a landline phone and incandescent bulbs...

      DG
      DANA


      Meet the Family
      Junior - Euphonium - 1906 - Henry Distin Mfg.
      Hastings - Trombone - 1952 - Boosey and Hawkes
      Bramwell - Euphonium - 1988 - Besson/Boosey and Hawkes (BE967)
      Margaret - Baritone - 2015 - Sterling1050HS
      Albert - Eb Bass - 2023 - Dillon 981S


      New York Staff Band - 2nd Baritone - 1991-1994
      Philadelphia Freedom Band - Euphonium
      Lancaster British Brass Band (all hail the 2nd baritone) - 2022-

      Comment

      • Shawn
        Member
        • May 2020
        • 110

        #4
        https://heavybottomcaps.co.uk/

        Claim is that it helps centre and secure notes.
        Some people think it works, some say it's snake oil.
        I use one on the third valve of my 3-valve tenor horn. Maybe I'm an idiot but I think it makes a difference higher up in range.

        Claim is that you only need it on the fourth valve, or the third valve of a three valve instrument.
        That said, I know some people in the trumpet crowd who use full sets of heavy caps.

        Comment

        • davewerden
          Administrator
          • Nov 2005
          • 11136

          #5
          I recently played a recital that involved some high volumes in places. A couple weeks before the recital it seemed like I was pushing the max for the horn (combined with my current ability). So I switched from a medium-weight Adams 4th valve cap to the heaviest ABC. After that, I seemed like I could successfully push it even more. It felt more solid and the sound I heard coming back from the room was fuller. It also felt more stable as I was moving around over intervals.

          That was similar to my feeling when I first tried a heavy cap on my Sterling.

          I have a personal theory about why it helps on a 4-valve compensating euphonium. If you look at 1-2-3, that group is very well connected by braces and tubing. But the poor 4th valve is more or less hanging out in the open with much less stability (visually). Adding mass to that seems very logical when you look at it, and I think that does translate into an actual playing difference. That said, it is subtle.

          Here is my A/B comparison in a large room with good acoustics:

          https://youtu.be/I9vZjM6UVBw
          Dave Werden (ASCAP)
          Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
          Adams Artist (Adams E3)
          Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
          YouTube: dwerden
          Facebook: davewerden
          Twitter: davewerden
          Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium

          Comment

          • RickF
            Moderator
            • Jan 2006
            • 3869

            #6
            Here’s a link to an experiment I did with my Yamaha 641 back in 2008 — which includes pictures. Like Dave mentioned a heavy 4th valve cap adds some mass to that area of the horn. The 641 was recently sold and it still had that same ‘homemade’ heavy 4th valve cap installed.

            Heavy Valve Caps for Euphonium:
            Rick Floyd
            Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ / RF mpc

            "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
            Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches

            El Cumbanchero (Raphael Hernandez, arr. Naohiro Iwai)
            The Cowboys (John Williams, arr. James Curnow)
            Festive Overture(Dmitri Shostakovich)

            Comment

            • Magikarp
              Senior Member
              • Jul 2020
              • 247

              #7
              I have had a heavy valve cap on the fourth valve of my Boosey round stamp, and it made pitching in the awkward upper register slightly easier, but benefitted nothing else.

              I have heavy caps all round on my new Adams E2, with the top 3 marginally heavier than the fourth. The instrument is superior in every regard, so I guess the extra weight has some benefit.
              Nowt

              Retired

              Comment

              • anadmai
                Senior Member
                • Mar 2022
                • 266

                #8
                This is fascinating stuff.
                DANA


                Meet the Family
                Junior - Euphonium - 1906 - Henry Distin Mfg.
                Hastings - Trombone - 1952 - Boosey and Hawkes
                Bramwell - Euphonium - 1988 - Besson/Boosey and Hawkes (BE967)
                Margaret - Baritone - 2015 - Sterling1050HS
                Albert - Eb Bass - 2023 - Dillon 981S


                New York Staff Band - 2nd Baritone - 1991-1994
                Philadelphia Freedom Band - Euphonium
                Lancaster British Brass Band (all hail the 2nd baritone) - 2022-

                Comment

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