Bronz-o-lyte Bells

"Bronz-o-lyte Bells on all Contempora instruments are the signifying mark of a masterpiece of instrument making. Selected for resonant tone-producing qualities, this special bronze alloy gives a sensation of lightness to the feel of a Contempora ... imparts a soft, rich hue which lends dignity to its appearance. Magnificent result of many years of scientific planning in design, metals and fabrication, these Reynolds Contempora instruments are truly worthy of the tremendous acclaim accorded them." [1953 catalog]

Bronz-o-lyte is the marketing name of the bronze alloy used on the bells of Contempora trumpets, cornets and trombones. The exact metallurgical composition of Bronz-o-lyte is not known, but bronze in general is an alloy of copper and tin. In 1970, Reynolds referred to the bell as "Red Bronze", an alloy of approximately 92% copper and 8% tin (not to be confused with Red Brass, which is 90% copper and 10% zinc). It's also possible that Bronz-o-lyte is a variation of Bell Bronze, a very hard alloy that consists of one part tin (20%) to four parts copper (80%).

Bass trombone bells appear to have used a different alloy than the trumpets, cornets and tenor trombones - raw bells with the lacquer finish removed (see below) have a much redder color, almost identical to the Conn Coprion bell, which was a 100% copper finish.

Contempora trumpets, cornets, tenor and bass trombones all appear to have a colored lacquer applied over the bronze bell, giving the bells their distinctive yellow-orange color (and the bass trombones their nickname: "The Tangerine Trombone"). Differences in color today can be attributed to how the colored lacquer has aged with time and exposure to light. The bell color also changed slightly in the 1960's when Reynolds switched from lacquer to an more durable epoxy finish (see "cornet, sn222311" below) - it's not yet known whether the epoxy was tinted.

Around 1970, Reynolds changed the Contempora bell metallurgical composition from a bronze alloy to a brass alloy called Lubaloy. Lubaloy is a standard commercial red-brass alloy of approximately 91% copper, 8% zinc and 1% tin, and is most commonly used as a paint coating on bullets.

Photo Gallery

Photos used with permission from: 1. David Jordan (eBay Member: ddjordan5039); 2. Bob Weller (eBay Member: fairllane57); 3. The Trombone Forum: Sinfonia98; 4. ElShaddai Edwards; 5. eBay (unknown); 6. Bob Weller (eBay Member: fairllane57).