[Bell Historians] Light rings and Tower Accoustics

[David Beacham]

If I may add my pennyworth to the various topics discussed lately:

Hung-out trebles: the trebles at Worcester Cathedral are hung with flanged
canons, as York used to be. I don't find them particularly awkward to
strike, but I do suspect (as Mark R has hinted) that the increased clapper
throw causes the clapper to strike sooner relative to the swing of the bell
so that the effect of slowing down the bells swing (by being hung out) is
nullified (in terms of "striking time" by the increased speed of the
clapper. (Hope that makes sense!)

"Black Note" keys: the late Geoff Hemming used to claim that Evesham (C#)
sounded so good because all the black notes("all the sharps" in his words)
were in that key. He also attributed similar qualities to the F# eight at Gt
Hampton (Evesham), another fine ring. (There is one fewer black note in this
key.) Henry Fearn used to talk about "the mournful key of C"; but then, the
old Bull Ring bells were in that key. Personally, I like the key of D very
much.

Tower accoustics: when making judgements and comparisons, would people
please make it clear if they are referring to the sound in the ringing
chamber or the sound outside? The eight at Dodderhill (Droitwich) sound
superb inside, but are less so outside (but still very good, I hasten to
add, but they don't making the same impression). The eight at Hallow
(Worcs), in the same key (E natural, but a lot heavier) sound much better
than Dodderhill (19cwt) outside. Inside, however, the plaster ceiling
suppresses much of the hum tones such that they sound nothing like their
weight (22cwt).

David B.