News from ABC Heavy Bottom Caps - Glenn van Looy

[iMav]

ABC is back from holiday and back at it. Was told they will be shipping out a bunch of orders on Monday.

in the mean time, check out this drone footage Chris took during their factory vacation:
https://youtu.be/0MstcQhuKRI

[Snorlax]

Here's a self-reply!
There are many parallels between antenna theory and euphoniums/tubas...resonant frequencies, standing waves, etc.

Here's a possible explanation for why some people feel improved response or slotting with an ABC.

A euphonium is a waveguide that can operate at many frequencies depending on airstream, lip setting, and valves pressed. The ABC affects the resonances and increases what we amateur radio types refer to as the Q of the circuit.

Increased Q has the following effect: The efficiency of power transfer of a circuit or euphonium increases markedly near the center frequency (a note you're trying to play) and drops off markedly as you move off the center frequency (play flat or sharp). So unless a player cannot come close to buzzing the correct pitch, power transfer at or very near the resonant frequency will be greatly enhanced...thus the perception or reality of "improved slotting."

Dave, the reason you find pitch-bending easy even with the ABC, is because your chops are strong and can brute-force the instrument, just like I can turn up the power on my transmitter when I get off the resonant frequency of my antenna. 100 watts into a good antenna might yield the same results as 500 watts into a crappy antenna,

One of my antennas is physically shortened and has a loading coil (perhaps the antenna equivalent of an ABC)...that antenna has a "high Q," meaning that it transmits efficiently over a rather narrow range of frequencies, becoming increasingly inefficient as I move off the center frequency. I'd say that's what the ABC is doing--increasing your euphonium's Q.

Why do some people feel it more than others, or feel it in one register over another? Different euphoniums have different inherent playing characteristics, and different players have different ways they input into the horn. Some of my antennas are inherently different in their characteristics than others, and I have several transmitters and modes of operation I use to feed the antennas. An ABC can't change the inherent characteristics of any euphonium; it can only accentuate some things and dampen others.
73 de N9EJR (got a 10,000-mile contact using a physically shortened and coil-loaded fan dipole and 100 watts of power)
PS: I have never tried to load my Shires up on 40-meter CW.

[highpitch]

I get it, good parallel of observations.

73 de W7TFO

[Snorlax]

Prof

I get it, good parallel of observations.

73 de W7TFO

I knew you would! Actually got on 10-meter AM for a couple of QSOs the other day.
Happy field day this weekend!

[TheJH]

That actually makes a lot of sense when you put it like that! Thanks for explaining!

[iMav]

Speaking of ABC Heavy Bottom Caps........

I know that the ones with the new threading are in route to me (perhaps I'll even see them today!).

[iMav]

Received my newly-tooled ABC bottom caps. Designation "U2". Fits all the Shires and Eastman euphoniums.

[MichaelSchott]

About 10 days ago I ordered the ABC HBC for my Adams E3 (.60 SS Bell). It arrived today. I've had a bit of a chance to experiment and here are my early impressions. The difference between the Adams 4th valve cap and the ABC with all 3 weights is easy to hear and feel. There is much more center to the tone and this extends throughout the range. It's a bit too dark and centered for my taste. It also dampens some of the vibration the E3 .60 is known for. For now I've removed both of the removable weights and this seems to work for me. It will take some time to sort this out but to my ears this is a difference maker for sure. By the way Chris at HBC is great to work with.

[iMav]

Chris Waters is top shelf to be sure.

You should get him started talking about the origins of Sterling and their epic court battle!

[iMav]

Chris Waters is top shelf to be sure.

You should get him started talking about the origins of Sterling and their epic court battle!

or about his new toy…a drone. (I’ve seen lots of footage from his recent vacation and favorite hang out spots. He must have a nice one because the footage is fantastic!)