Maintaining Your MelodyChime® InstrumentsThank you for selecting Schulmerich MelodyChime® Instruments. We have adjusted

their settings at the factory before shipping, but due to handling during shipping or after

extended use you may find that some adjustments are necessary. The instructions here

will help you adjust your MelodyChime® Instruments for optimum sound.

A. To make the tone softer or harder, adjust the Clapper Head as follows:

j Using the Nut Driver, loosen the lock nut three full turns.

j It is not necessary to remove the Clapper Head completely. Simply move the Clapper Headtoward the end of the MelodyChime® Hex Shaft, turn it to the desired position, and slide itback down on the Hex Shaft.

j Using the Nut Driver, retighten the lock nut. Caution: Do not over tighten.

B. If the clapper head buzzes or doesn’t strike the chime tube with enough force:

j The Gap between the chime and the Clapper Head is too small or too large.

j Rotate the Height Adjustment Bumper to set the desired playing action.

j The Gap between the Clapper Head and chime should be 1/8" to 3/16".

C. If the clapper movement becomes too loose:

j Clapper movement should have appropriate resistance. After extensive use, clappermovement may become too loose — reducing player control of the instrument and possiblygenerating noise. In such a case, use the supplied 0.50 Hex Wrench and evenly tighten

MelodyChime® Instruments: Your Guide To Care And Ringing

2 7

Attention: Please Read!MelodyChime® Instruments are designed and crafted to provide you and your

audiences with many delightful years of playing and listening pleasure. The

martellato technique, commonly used for certain handbells, should not be used on

MelodyChime® Instruments and is a misuse of the instrument, as the force of the

strike even on padded tables, could damage the handchime. Furthermore,

attempting to ring a MelodyChime® Instrument with force, in an attempt to generate

a loud sound, may damage the tines and destroy the quality of the sound. Damage

as a result of either of these techniques is not covered under the warranty.

Schulmerich’s guidelines for proper ringing of the MelodyChime® Instruments are

described on pages 4 and 5 of this brochure.

The Schulmerich Warranty For Your MelodyChime® Instruments

Schulmerich MelodyChime® Instruments are warranted to be free from defects in material and

workmanship for a period of five (5) years from date shipped. Defective parts will be repaired or

replaced, at Schulmerich’s option, without charge for materials, provided such parts are returned

shipping prepaid to Schulmerich Bells, Carillon Hill, P. O. Box 903, Sellersville, PA 18960-0903.

Proof of purchase (Schulmerich’s invoice) may be required.

This warranty is extended solely to the original purchaser, and is non-transferable.

This warranty is VOID in the event of abuse, accident, modification to parts, or improper handling,

or repairs or alterations made by the owner or third parties without Schulmerich factory written

authorization.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from state

to state.

With the exception of warranty of title, ALL OTHER WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED,

THUS THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR

PURPOSE. No one is authorized to change these terms.

This manual is designed to give you all necessary information on your new MelodyChime®

Instruments. For information on any updates, please visit us at www.SchulmerichBells.com.

both Tension Adjustment Set Screws as required. For lower large yoke assemblies, adjustthe tension adjustment set screw with the 9/64" hex wrench

j When clapper assembly gently drops under its own weight when the chime tube is heldupside down, the Tension Adjustment Set Screws are properly adjusted.

D. If the clapper makes a clicking sound on its return stroke:

j The Felt Damping Pad may be worn or have become loose. Replace the DampingPad with one provided in the Spare Parts Kit.

E. Special tools and parts provided:

j Included with the 2 octave set is a Tool and Spare Parts Kit, including a Nut Driver, a HexWrench, and spare Felt Damping Pads.

Clapper Head Factory Positioning (C#5 – C8)Return your clapper heads to their original positions by matching these diagrams.

Note that only rubber heads have selectable positions. Yarn wound heads are the same on all

sides, although we do encourage you to rotate them regularly.

11/32" Nut Driver

0.05" Hex Wrench

CAUTION: Do not attempt to move the Air Column Plug. This plug has been carefully

positioned at the factory to produce the optimum sound. Moving the plug will result

in severe sound deadening.

6 3

j Tuning slot configuration, yoke

type, and clapper head may vary

with note. Lower octave yoke type

is shown at right. . . .➣

Note Position Type

C#5 5 Black

D5 4 Black

D#5 3 Black

E5 2 Black

F5 2 Black

F#5 3 Black

G5 1 Black

G#5 2 Black

A5 1 Black

A#5 5 Dark Gray

B5 3 Dark Gray

C6 3 Dark Gray

C#6 3 Dark Gray

D6 3 Dark Gray

D#6 4 Dark Gray

E6 3 Dark Gray

F6 4 Dark Gray

F#6 2 Dark Gray

G6 2 Dark Gray

G#6 2 Dark Gray

A6 2 Dark Gray

A#6 1 Dark Gray

B6 3 Medium Gray

C7 3 Medium Gray

C#7 2 Medium Gray

D7 2 Medium Gray

D#7 2 Medium Gray

E7 1 Medium Gray

F7 4 Light Gray

F#7 3 Light Gray

G7 3 Light Gray

G#7 3 Light Gray

A7 2 Light Gray

A#7 2 Light Gray

B7 5 Light Silver

C8 5 Light Silver

Clapper HeadReplacement (G3 – C5)Here’s how to replace the original clapper heads in the lowrange with our yarn-wound versions.

1. Using the 11/32" nut driver, remove lock nut.

2. Remove the old clapper head by gently pulling it off theclapper shaft.

3. Install the yarn-wound clapper head by gently sliding itonto the clapper shaft. You should not need to force it.

4. Replace the lock nut and tighten snugly. Do not over-tighten.

AXLE LUBRICATION: You may lubricate each end of the axle with a single drop of

Super Lube® with Syncolon® (PTFE) in tube applicator 51010.

1 2 3

4 65

(Super Lube is available from Schulmerich. Super Lube and Syncolon are registered trademarks

of Synco Chemical Corp.)

Felt Damping Pad Height Adjustment Bumper

Tension AdjustmentSet Screws (4-40 x 1/8")

Hex Shaft Clapper Head

#8 Washer #8 lock nut

Air Column Plug

Gap

Please Don’t Move This!

Note Designation Label

Tuning Slot Tines

Schulmerich MelodyChime® Instrument

Axle

Tension AdjustmentSet Screw (#8)

9/64" Hex Wrench

Note: Your older MelodyChime® Instruments may use a 5/16" nutdriver and acorn nut instead of a 11/32" nut driver and lock nut.

should be positioned slightly below the identifying

pitch plate for optimum balance of the chime

instrument in your hand. 1 Adjust your hand

position according to the size of the instrument.

Ringing TechniqueOnce the proper grip is secured, proceed by cocking

the open end of the chime back towards your chest,

so that the clapper falls back toward your shoulder.

With the closed end of the chime pointed downward

and away from you, lead the chime away from your

body with the closed end. 2 The chime should ring

when the wrist has rotated to a nearly vertical

position. 3 The clapper will strike the chime and

should immediately fall away from the chime. 4

It is most important that the clapper falls away from

the chime to insure optimum sound quality. A hard

downward ringing style will not produce a good

tonal sound. Should the clapper remain forward

either resting on the chime, or near it, the sound

will be damped, causing a muffled or short sound.

Once the chime is struck, you should proceed by

lifting the chime back towards your body in an

oval/backward wheel formation.

Damping PositionTo damp the sound of the chime, meaning to stop

the sound of the chime, bring the chime to your

chest, turning your arm inward so that both tines

touch the chest. 5 Hands must never cross over to

opposite shoulders. The second method of damping

chimes would be to damp them directly on the

table/foam being careful not to re-strike the chime

upon contact with the table/foam. The larger the

instrument, the greater the damping surface

required to be in contact with the chest or

table/foam, to properly damp the sound.

To help you learn how to get the very best sound

from your new MelodyChime® Instruments, we have

put together this short primer.

Initial AdjustmentsPlease check the action of your MelodyChime®

Instruments upon receipt. Adjust if necessary,

following the Care & Maintenance Instructions in

this booklet. If you have any questions, please feel

free to contact your local Schulmerich Repre-

sentative, or the home office at 800/772-3557.

These settings should be checked periodically and

should be adjusted if necessary in order to maintain

the desired playing tension.

Basic Ringing TechniqueAs with any musical instrument, it is extremely

important that proper playing technique is taught

from the beginning. Good ringing techniques will

lead to good tonal sound production and precise

performance, which will bring about positive results

and satisfaction in your ringing experience.

Hand PositionSchulmerich MelodyChime® Instruments are

octagonal in shape to facilitate comfortable holding

of the chime. The side of the chime should be placed

flat against the open extended hand, then position

the thumb and fingers around the tube. The

identifying pitch plate on the chime should be

placed facing you, in the upward position. The hand

1

2 5

4

3

We’ve Built Great SoundInto Your MelodyChime®Instruments.

Here’s How To Get It Out.

4 5

46-784 • Rev. G • 10s/07 • 2M © 1999 - 2007 Schulmerich Carillons, Inc. www.SchulmerichBells.com

Schulmerich BellsElectronic Carillons • Cast Bells • HandbellsMelodyChime® and MelodyWave® Instruments

Carillon Hill • PO Box 903 • Sellersville, PA • 18960-0903 • USA

215/257-2771 • 800/772-3557 • Fax: 215/257-1910

HomeOffice@SchulmerichBells.com

www.SchulmerichBells.comwww.MelodyWave.net

®

Your Guide ToCare & Ringing

Your Guide ToCare & Ringing

Instruments by Schulmerich