Special Sterling Virtuoso - Rose Bell and Excalibur Bell

[davewerden]

Because the Sterling Virtuoso was largely hand assembled, Paul was able to offer some customizations on demand. He also came up with some ideas on his own. Here are a couple bell variations Paul came up with as experiments.

The first was the Rose bell. You can see why he named it that in the photos. He used a "scratch" finish with bright highlights. The bell design required a heavy rim, which made the horn play differently. I show the horn and also a photo of my friend, Charley Brighton, playing one at ITEC 2008.




The other experiment was the "Excalibur" model. The edge of the bell just flaired out to the end and stopped - there was no rolled edge. It played more freely, but didn't have quite the projection of the normal bell. I mentioned the potential for easier damage. Paul said there was potential, BUT it would be much easier to fix than a standard bell that got bent. The photos are not very helpful, but for what it's worth...

[iMav]

Is the Virtuoso still “largely hand assembled”? Just curious if that was meant to be past tense or not. (I thought that the Virtuoso was still in production…even though there isn’t a good US-based reseller currently available.)

[davewerden]

Is the Virtuoso still “largely hand assembled”? Just curious if that was meant to be past tense or not. (I thought that the Virtuoso was still in production…even though there isn’t a good US-based reseller currently available.)

Doug Ruby can probably answer with more authority, but I believe the answer is "yes" (still largely hand made).

[Snorlax]

I remember trying that rose-bell horn when I was in Cincinnati for Harvey's induction into the Classical Music Hall of Fame. You were there too, Dave, IIRC.

[davewerden]

I remember trying that rose-bell horn when I was in Cincinnati for Harvey's induction into the Classical Music Hall of Fame. You were there too, Dave, IIRC.

You recall correctly! That is where I first met Charley in person, and I'm pretty sure that's where I took the photo of him playing the Rose (I think Paul called it the "Yorkshire Rose").

[anadmai]

Because the Sterling Virtuoso was largely hand assembled, Paul was able to offer some customizations on demand. He also came up with some ideas on his own. Here are a couple bell variations Paul came up with as experiments.

The first was the Rose bell. You can see why he named it that in the photos. He used a "scratch" finish with bright highlights. The bell design required a heavy rim, which made the horn play differently. I show the horn and also a photo of my friend, Charley Brighton, playing one at ITEC 2008.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10109[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]10110[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10111[/ATTACH]


The other experiment was the "Excalibur" model. The edge of the bell just flaired out to the end and stopped - there was no rolled edge. It played more freely, but didn't have quite the projection of the normal bell. I mentioned the potential for easier damage. Paul said there was potential, BUT it would be much easier to fix than a standard bell that got bent. The photos are not very helpful, but for what it's worth...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10112[/ATTACH]

ewwwwww

[Arnbone Euph]

Anadmai:
At least it's not a French horn.

[anadmai]

Anadmai:
At least it's not a French horn.

Lol. You’re right. Attaboy for the positivity. ❤️

[ydave]

Definitely a Yorkshire rose that one Dave!
i recall tooting it as well.

[davewerden]

Definitely a Yorkshire rose that one Dave!
i recall tooting it as well.

That rings a bell - thanks for straightening my memory!

[daruby]

I played the Yorkshire Rose and the rimless horn both during my first visit to the Sterling shop in 2008. The Rose was a very heavy and stiff bell due to the rim bracing. Very dark and played well. The rimless was not my cup of tea.

[daruby]

Some pics....