Ricco Kühn French Horns Technical Data

Bell Flares

Bells for Ricco Kühn horns are made by a spinning process on mandrels of their own design.

Different shapes and special manufacturing technologies offer individual characteristics in response and sound, suitable to the different horn models.

When the same metal and bell size is used, horns with hand-hammered bells have a somewhat lighter response, are reacting more sensitive and admittedly, sound somewhat brighter in ff. Horns with spun bells have a somewhat higher but at the same time agreeable resistance, the sound is fuller and in ff firmer.

Both manufacturing methods have their advantages depending on model and bell size.

On some models, it is possible to supply bells with a gusset inserted. This even more expensive technology enables the production of hand-hammered bells that are almost the same thickness right up to the rim. This means it is possible to make them with very thin walls and yet still retain sound stability in ff.

We use four sizes of horn bells, which we make in different thicknesses and designs depending on the model.

Size ML(1-3)

That complete new developed medium large bell is designed for using three different bell flares with the same throat. With that, each horn model is useable in a wide range of sound. Compared with the former ML bell, the throat is slightly smaller and the bell flare is curved smoother. The sound is more flexible, nevertheless focused and safe.

The new ML bell is used for model W 293 since end of 2017. In the meantime, almost all single horns and double horn models are made with that bell. 

Here an overview of the three size of the new ML bell flares:

ML1: clear sound in the high, offers a typical horn sound also in piano, recommended for chamber  

          music or as descant bell for Bb/highF or triple horns

ML2: universal bell flare for all horns models, in all ranges very even, maybe a bit more resistance   

          than ML3, recommended for W 273/ W 283

ML3:  very nobly sound in the low, easy response, warm sound in piano and mezzoforte, good   

          focused in forte, recommended for model W 293/294.

size ML(X)

The ML bell was the most used bell for Ricco Kühn horns until 2018.

The size and the design of that bell is still a really successful construction, in points of respond, playability, focusing an carrying of sound.

size L:

This is the original size of the Reissmann/ Börner models. The design corresponds with a large Vienna form or later bohemian models. In difference to U.S. L size bells, this bell has a larger shank and the flare is build slimmer.

Particularly the sound in lower and middle range is fantastic. In the higher range there’s an easy response with a safe tone but also more sensitivity on hand position.

Currently the L bell is used for the W 293-L “Reißmann” only. 

size M

Currently, the lightly smaller medium bell is used for children-horn only.

garlands:

For some horn models it can make really good sense to try a bell with a garland. Unlike with trumpets the effect of a garland on a horn bell is not easy to describe. A garland affects the weight and the way a bell resonates i.e. both its response and sound.

A garland makes good sense for thin hand-hammered bells which sound too bright in ff otherwise. If you want a somewhat more powerful and centered sound with your standard bell you could try a garland on a standard bell.

But as a basic principle the bell should fit the horn. Usually you can achieve similar results using different bells without garlands.

Valves