I found a guy that has a set of Airchimes that he said are K5HLRA he has had them for 3 years and never has blown them so im thinking they need some work. What exactly are these? I understand they are on a high manifold and theres 5 bells.
Just dont know if i need them if they cost too much for repair.
just got a picture from him and it looks like it has two bells facing opposite from the others. other than that it looks like mine.
It could have a 1L bell but if it does then as far as what I have been told it would not have an A in the model of the horn which would imply that the number 3 and 4 bells would be a 3A and a 4A instead. The only ones that I have seen with a 1L bell also had a 1, 2, 3, and a 4 bell. Also the R suffix implies that some bells are turned backwards which usually has the bell numbers following the R. An example would be K5LAR24 which as I understand tells you that the #2 and 4 bell are backwards facing. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I like to have the correct information.
Oh he said he was told it was a K5HLRA and he said the numbers on them are 1, 1L, 2, 3, and 4a. With the 4a and 3 backwards. Did somebody throw these horns on a manifold or does it the horn make sense? I’m confused, can’t find anything on it on the web.
I believe that horn would be bells #1L, #1, #2, #3L, #4.
This would be the same #'s as a K5LLA. So a K5HLRA would brake down to…
K - K series
5 - 5 chime
H - high mount manifold
L - Low-pitched (#1L bell)
R - reversed (only two horns)
A - American tune
Now, be that as it may, a horn with “R” usually has the reversed bells after the R. For instance a K5LAR24. The #2 and #4a bells are reversed. I am thinking that this is not really called a K5HLRA.
I am 99% sure that horn was pieced to gather. Those bells don’t match any airchime tuning that I know of. The closest tune to those bells would be a K5HL: D# minor sixth (C, D#, F#, A#, C), with K-series bells #1L, #1, #2, #3, #4. Maybe do some trading on that 4a for just a 4. I’m not sure what that will sound like with a mismatched note in there.
I do agree with AV. The 4A bell is what throws it off. The railroad could also have replaced a broken or missing #4 bell with the 4A bell because that is all they had and they really don’t care what notes it plays or didn’t know the difference. If the price is right though you can find a 4 bell and I am sure someone out there is looking for a 4A bell.
Yeah I’m gonna get it from the guy tomorrow, he said it needs to be cleaned because it has thick layer of oil/dirt. But I’m thinking the price is ok.$300. I just hope the internals are in good condition.
If we ignore the R for a second and look at the pitches…
It’s a K5HLA or K5LLA (same bells different manifold) - which requires 1L, 1, 2, 3a, 4a.
You have a 3 in place of the 3a. You can sell the Canadian 3 as they are in demand (I just bought one) and buy a 3a.
I verified this on 2 websites. Out of respect for HB, PM me if want the links.
EDIT: BTW - 300 bucks is a steal for any 5 bells & manifold that aren’t damaged. Especially when you’re getting a 1L and a Canadian 4. My 1L cost me 250.
Hell yes it’s worth $300!
ear2ear, I have a link that specified a K5LLA with bells #1L, #1, #2, #3L, #4.
PM me for the link…
Pm sent
Got the horn today and it looks better than I expected. Seals all need to be replaced. But everythings else shines like new. Woohoo! Cleaned it all down and it has some stains on the cast that will not come off. Any idea what can remove them? It cleaned up real nice and I’m not going to paint it. With the exception of the stains.
Industrial strength aluminum brightener mixed about 1 part brightener to 4 parts water works good. Spray it all over the horns and manifold and let it set for a few minutes then pressure wash it off. It should foam up slightly when you spray it on.
I used paint stripper in a spray can
A K5LLA is bells 1L, 1, 2, 3a, 4a.
I also used paint stripper in a can. Works good.
My horn has bells 1L, 1, 2, 3, and 4. What are they called. My # 3 and 4 bells do not have an A engraved after the cast in bell number so i guess that they are Canadian tuned unless they have changed the way they mark them.
^ That would be a k5ll or k5hl, depending on what manifold you have. That would be a canadian tune. I want to hear one of these in person. They have been said to be “haunting” sounding horns.
Yeah, that’s really a nice score man. That is one of the most expensive combinations of horns. Can’t wait to hear it.
I found a note on Curts’s website.
Older K5LLA is 2pc 1L, 1, 2, 3L, 4
2005-present is 1pc 1L, 1, 2, 3a, 4a
So which bells were mounted backwards?
Diablo: My K5HL on my truck is all the same bells as your horn except mine are on a high manifold. My new one actually has #2 and #4a (not the 3) mounted backwards but i think im going to point them in same direction as all the others. Im buying a 3a just havent found one yet and i dont want to get rid of the 3 in case i change my mind and decide to make another K5HL. the 1L bells on both of my horns are 1pc.