Bach 37 vs. Bach 43 bell

supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

I've played a 37. I think I have a feel for what a 72 is like and also a 25. But the 43 is totally unknown to me. Mostly interested in how it compares to the 37 and what types of playing it is best suited for. I've read the descriptions on the Bach site. Doesn't seem to tell me much. Thanks.
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Dale Proctor · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

I'd say it's a little more open, and a little brighter than the 37. I've had one 37 and two 43's, and prefer the standard 43 with the 25 leadpipe - that's what I've been playing for the past 20 years or so. Even though it's a little brighter than a 37, it still has that great core sound and can be mellowed out with the right mouthpiece if you choose to.

I've used mine in a symphony orchestra, brass quintet, pit orchestra, church orchestra, concert band, and big band, to name a few. It's very versatile, like the 37.
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supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

thedevilisbad · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

this is a little off subject but maybe the problem is the bracing and not the bell...?
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65strad · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

My first Strad was and is a 43. It is a very versatile horn and has an oppulent quality to the tone. I have used it in multiple settings. I have 37's as well and they are great also.

I think the 43 is very underrated. It's my favorite Bach Bb bell.
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jazz50's · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject:

I 've played and owned both 37 and 43 bells.The tone in the 43 has less core and projection,but is more spread,warmer,and with much more colors to play with!So,I 'd say it would fit better in a small combo setting.But,since you own that 46' Committee,what do you need the Bach for?

supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

michael manthey · Heavyweight Member Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 1116

This subject has come up before. We all can read 'the factory' description of the Bach bells, but there's so much more to the horn(s). Proper brace placement is a very important factor, and can separate a GREAT playing trumpet from a lemmon.

All things being equal I prefer the Bach 37 bell flare. A more defined core to the sound. The 43 bell is nice but a bit more spread, and the 72 bell spreads a bit too much for me in an accoustical situation. However, my favorite Al Vizzutti recording is the first LP he did on a Bach 72* gold plated with Amado spit valves. So ...

FWIW ... Scodwell B Flat trumpets use a Bach 37 bell flare ( bent to Tony's spec's ) and are a 25 guage brass. I've not played a horn I like any better, or that projects or records better.
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Retlaw · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Bach 37 vs. Bach 43 bell

mpo · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 577

The 43 is also my favorite. I would love to play a 72 LR and compare the two.

trumphat · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

I have a lightweight Strad that started off with a 37 bell. I had it converted to a tuneable bell set up and bought a light weight 43 bell to also use. The difference was significant. The 43 was brighter and projected better - It really has a zing to it. A few years later I bought a mt vernon 37 that is a great horn, so I had the light weight converted to a conventional set up ( I didn't really dig the tunable bell set up) with the 43 bell. I use it for big band lead and commercial work. If you want brighter with projection try a 43.

Yamahaguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3992

trumpaholic · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject:

I have played many 37's including 3 Mt. Vernon Strads. I really like the more open feel of this particular 43H which Tom Green just overhauled. Taylor rings, Curry brass valve action rods and Curry lightweight finger buttons were all plated in hard nickel and installed on the horn. Tom did a valve alignment as well and applied a brushed finish and had it coated with clear lacquer. This horn really has impressed me.

I had the original main tuning slide overhauled with a MK NY crook and inside tubes. Also, a MK full radius slide was lacquered in the brushed finish which really works well in this horn. Either slide is an improvement over the original D slide. I just like the blow much more than the 37.

supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

That's the way a trumpet is supposed to look.... IMHO. Very nice indeed. Above and beyond the actual cost of the trumpet... would you share what you have into it? If you won't I totally understand, but had to ask. Thanks for posting the photo.
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Tom LeCompte · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:54 am Post subject:

The 43 is sort of between the 37 and the 25. I personally find my sound on the 43 to be too much towards "shrill" rather than "bright", however other players have had more success with that setup.

ShawnMAnderson · Regular Member Joined: 06 Sep 2018 Posts: 17

Manuel de los Campos · Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 11:35 am Post subject:

43 belled Bachs are kinda rare in the Netherlands, I found one on the Dutch marketplace and bought it, it was a 43* with a 25 leadpipe
To me it was the best sounding Bach I ever played yet she was that free blowing that I sold it after a few weeks, it was like I tried to play on a vacuum cleaner

Anyway, great sound, not shrill at all, a rather broad sound pallet; I really didn't like to let her go but hey, I am not a horn collector and I sold her to someone who was really happy with her
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OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

When I found a great price on an unaltered Mt. Vernon, I snapped it up. Looking at the EBay photos, I quickly started to fear it was a 43 not a 37 and like the OP, was in uncharted waters for me. I contacted Roy Hempley and he confirmed my eye - it was a 43, but encouraged me to just give it a try and ignore all of the "bright" reputation.

You will see that 43 on the cover of my book, and while I now own Bachs from almost every design period and including 25, 37, 43 and 72 bells, that horn is my favorite Bach.

For a time, the Selmer description of the 43 matched that of the 37, except they added the words "with a little more control" (speaking about tonal character). That description is spot on. It has that warm core of a 37, it spreads a little more but certainly will be heard when you push. And, as indicated by others, you can shape the tone more from bright to rich, much like a 25 bell, by what you do with it.

For the OP's stated purpose, I think it is just as good a choice as the more popular LR72. Its all in mouthpiece selection and playing - the 43, especially with the 25 pipe, gives the player more control over their sound than any other Bach I have played.
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Crazy Finn · Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 2:32 pm Post subject:

43's generally are my favorite Bachs. They aren't super bright when I play them (cause me), and they're open and flexible enough.

I want to like 72's because of how they sound, but I haven't played any that really jived with me.

I like how 37's sound when others play them, but I don't generally enjoy them myself - as far as playability or sound, but mostly playability. There have been a few exceptions, but I can count them on a hand - and I've played a ton of these. Still, a good choice for many, it seems.

I'd love to give the 7/7 a try someday. It's sounds right up my alley on paper.

I don't recall ever playing a 25 bell, and for sure I haven't had an opportunity to play the 38 or 65.

I think more Bach players would be happier venturing out of the 37 space than is common - definitely to the 43 as that's very approachable and friendly and improves some of the common drawbacks of the 37. I think, reading some of Vincent's own notes, he felt the same way. I'm not saying no one should play the 37 or that it shouldn't be as common as it is (because I don't think it matters much to many players), but I think a few more people should open their minds a bit and give those other options a try.
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SterlingBell · Regular Member Joined: 28 Dec 2018 Posts: 65

I have a 43 Sterling Bell Bach from 1990. It is my third Bach Bb. I started with a 37 bell in 1968, 43 bell in 1980 and the 43 Sterling Bell in 1990. I think my ears just developed a liking for that sound. Funny, my high school students all sound better on a 37 bell. Go figure.