Echo cornet

Description

The echo cornet is a duplex instrument, which means that it embodies the characteristics of two different instruments, and the player can choose freely between them. In this case, the cornet is supplied with a fourth piston and a second bell that tappers inversely, as compared with the main bell, thus producing a muted tone. The player could then choose between an "open" or a muted tone almost instantaneously, without having to recur to a separate mute. This example is made of silver-plated brass, having three top-sprung piston valves, with nickel-silver buttons, coiled springs, brass disc pin guides, and cork bumpers. The shorter fourth piston valve activates the muted bell, and it is bottom-sprung with a metal guide pin on bottom of piston. The second bell attachment can be disassembled through a ligature screw ferrule joint. There is a double water-key with single touch and a straight bit. Nominal pitch: B-flat.