[Bell Historians] Re: Whitstable (Seasalter)

[David Cawley]

On Seasalter, Whitstable (8: t. 24" 3-1-13 in G) yes they are 'gutsy' - in fact the tenor is overmuch so compared with the others. But it was not long after that Whitechapel wre quoting their 'standard' 2' bell as 24" in F#; and a little while later as 24 1/4" in F. Bill Hughes in the aforementioned conversation (1973) told me that they were being rather careful, and that tuning down to F# would give a livelier ring with a less noisy tenor. It would also make the casting and tuning of the two trebles which I was ordering a little easier.

I've only rung at Rochford of the 8-bell Taylor rings which Richard mentions. They are 4-0-19 in D; the other two are both C# and about 28 lb heavier. All are the same diameter. Rochford are in a big brick tower and I like them (the bells, not the small wheels). Scole, Norfolk (6: 4-1-2 in Db) are equally pleasant, but in a small stone tower. I would describe neither as thin or insipid. The even smaller (and earlier - 1958) Taylor ring at Saxthorpe, Norfolk (6: 24 1/2", 2-3-10 in E) are to me equally pleasant sounding. But I know some people dislike them.

I suppose you pays your money and you takes your choice, and I for one am pleased we bought the Whitechapel bells - and I'd still like to have them tuned down ! 

DLC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Richard Offen 
To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 7:27 PM
Subject: [Bell Historians] Re: Tubular Bells


Unfortunately it was just before WBF altered their gauges with the 
result that, like Radlett, another 3-cwt 6, they are in G. Paul 
Taylor visited in 1971 on an outing (he having quoted for a similar 
ring, but in E); "What a b....waste of metal" ! I told the late Bill 
Hughes about this and he offered to tune them down to F# for nothing. 
The Vicar wouldn't allow it. When I asked AH some ten years later he 
quoted what seemed to be an astronomical price, and it would have not 
been correct to have gone elsewhere.I don't think they'll go down to 
E, but if I win the lottery.....

Why do they need tuning down two semitones? 

One of the good things about Seasalter is that they're, in the words 
of George Pipe, a good 'gutsy' ring, with a bit of meat to them. 
Not wishing to offend anyone (so I probably will!), I'd far rather 
listen to the likes of Seasalter than the thin, insipid tones of 
Rochford, Lightcliffe or Newhey any day!

R



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