The Bach Sterling Silver Plus (often stamped simply as Sterling Plus) is a premium bell option for the Bach Stradivarius line, introduced in 1993. It is the successor to the "Standard" Sterling Silver bell that Bach debuted briefly in 1992.

While a standard sterling silver bell is typically 92.5% pure silver, the "Plus" refers to a significantly higher purity and a specific manufacturing process.

1. Material and Construction

• 99.9% Pure Silver: The "Plus" indicates that the bell is made of nearly pure fine silver. This is softer and denser than standard sterling silver.

• Seamless Design: Unlike most brass bells which are cut from a sheet and brazed together (creating a seam), Sterling Plus bells are electroformed. They are grown on a mandrel in a chemical bath, resulting in a perfectly uniform, seamless bell with consistent metal thickness.

• Weight: These bells are generally heavier and denser than standard yellow or gold brass bells.

2. The Sound: Power vs. Finesse

The Sterling Silver Plus is polarizing because it behaves differently than brass:

• Core and Projection: It produces a very dense, focused "core" to the sound. It has incredible projection—it can cut through an entire orchestra or big band without "breaking up" or becoming raspy.

• The "HD" Effect: Many players describe the sound as having "high definition." It is rich in overtones at soft volumes and remains extremely stable at triple-forte.

• The Trade-off: Because the metal is so dense, it provides less "feedback" to the player’s ears. It can feel a bit "stiff" or "heavy" to blow compared to a standard 37 brass bell. It also tends to be very bright in the upper register but can sound "dark" or "wooly" when played softly.

3. Identification

You can identify these horns by the engraving on the bell. Usually, the bell will have the standard Bach scrollwork, but near the rim or the model number, it will be stamped:

"Sterling Plus" or "Sterling Silver Plus"

Often, the rest of the trumpet (the valve block and leadpipe) is made of silver-plated brass, creating a visual match with the solid silver bell.