New WRRS mini bell with Brass gong!
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:35 pm
Hey guys, got a new WRRS mini bell today that I was told had a different sound than other mini bells. I didn't believe the seller at first, thinking they just meant the mini bell was different than most bells. Turned out this vintage Pere Marquette / C&O heritage guy had indeed a solid brass or bronze gong! The pitch is not dramatically different, just a pitch lower or so, but the tone quality and harmonics are much richer and it resonates much better. I like both bells for their differences, I will ring it soon and have a video to share. Here are some photos
As it came, note lack of rust on gong, but missing paint reveling the brass underneath
I will probably replace that one "cooked" wire, note the newer blue wire, cool that they used to service and fix these things once upon a time, we are such a throw away society nowadays.
Next to the blasted and restored mini bell
Thinned some silver paint out and touched her up a bit to make it "house acceptable" am considering returning it to its original PM color which was, yes WHITE, many of the PM bells were painted white with the cross buck poles and I saw some evidence of this on this bell as well, however from the factory it was likely black or silver.
Here is a video of the bell:
Enjoy
As it came, note lack of rust on gong, but missing paint reveling the brass underneath
I will probably replace that one "cooked" wire, note the newer blue wire, cool that they used to service and fix these things once upon a time, we are such a throw away society nowadays.
Next to the blasted and restored mini bell
Thinned some silver paint out and touched her up a bit to make it "house acceptable" am considering returning it to its original PM color which was, yes WHITE, many of the PM bells were painted white with the cross buck poles and I saw some evidence of this on this bell as well, however from the factory it was likely black or silver.
Here is a video of the bell:
Enjoy