Tone hole in the bell

[ocala_mike]

Why do some bass clarinets have holes in the bell and others do not? Is the presence or absence of a hole in the bell an indication of the quality of the horn one way or the other?

 

[Mojo]

They claim more evenness in tone compared to the surrounding notes. Notes coming straight out the bell can sound honky. Way more noticeable on sax than bass clarinet but sax makers do not do this (Due to cost and weight).

I think low Cs and low Ebs sound glorious coming out the bell.

 

[ocala_mike]

Thank you, that's very interesting.