The Process
Steve Bell, Jr. uses a 4 step process to help guide each player to their dream trumpet.
Step 1: Establish the Blow
We start the process by selecting a lead pipe that will accommodate your desired playing style. You will have the option of selecting between five different materials for a drawn tube lead pipe: yellow brass, 10% nickel, 30% nickel, sterling silver, or copper. If you'd prefer a one-piece machine lead pipe, those are offered only in yellow brass. In addition to having options at the tube lead-pipe, you will also have optional brass material for the mouthpiece receiver consisting of yellow brass, nickel, and phosphor bronze.
Receivers are typically 2 1/2 inches, internally cut to fit your mouthpiece, and installed with minimal gap to the tube lead pipe.
Not even sure what kind of lead pipe you want? No problem...Steve will walk you through the search for what kind will work best for you while talking about your desired sound (step 3). You could potentially try up to 12 different tubes to establish your blow.
Step 2: Establish the Flow
In this part of the process, we will dive into single radius main tuning slide, traditional main slide, and the internal bore size to maximize your playability. A single radius slide will allow you to have a more open blow while playing in comparison to a traditional one with a little resistance. Bell Trumpets offers the following bore valve casing options in one piece yellow brass medium .453, medium large .459 - .460, large .465, and extra large bore .468 - .470. Once we have your blow established we will move on to the flow which will have Steve Bell, Jr. match up your lead pipe with the bore that will match with your playing style. This can be a lot of fun for musicians and can also be overwhelming for some players. "I've got way too many options to know what to do." At this point, you will get what you are paying for and have professional advice from Steve Bell, Jr. right there to help you along the way. Step one and step two are so important in the process and your comfort with the horn is key at this stage!
Step 3: Establish the sound
The sound will be established with the materials selected for your build. You will have optional bends on the back bow of your bell with a traditional round, bullet bend, a Bell Trumpet bend, or Bell Trumpet bend with a 30-degree bell bend... IT IS ENDLESS! Bell Trumpets offers different bell diameters of 4.25 "- 6" inches, different bell materials (yellow, gold, copper, phosphor bronze, nickel, and bi-metal), different gauges of materials on the bell pending material .3 - .9, French rim, rolled rim, soldered rim, two-piece, and one piece. All of these options will be presented to you once we have established your blow and flow! Steve Bell, Jr. will install a bell on the blow and flow build you've selected in your custom process and that will provide you an opportunity to hear what your custom build has in sound color. Along the way, during your process, you will have a better relationship with your builder Steve Bell, Jr. and he will help you in selecting a bell that will help you with your desired sound.
Step 4: Establish the style
Yellow Brass? Gold brass? Red Brass? Copper? Phosphor Bronze? Dizzy bell? 30-degree bend? Weighted ferrules and in different materials? Custom bends and unique design? Gauges .3 - .9
Each of these things makes your sound unique to your horn and the finish out will make it just as unique!
How about a clear lacquer finish? Want real pearls in your finger buttons? Weighted style top and bottom caps with flat top pistons? Hand-applied satin finish with clear? Silver plated? Gold plated? Want to explore custom colors, patina, and fade with multi colors all over the instrument? Steve Bell, Jr. offers all of these options on the instruments that he builds for the players he services.