Bristol Surprise Maximus in the Belfry at York Minster

[@BellringerBen]

Hehehe... I can now say that I've rung here! Wow!!! I was not expecting them to sound like they do in person - KZbin does not do them enough justice! The acoustics of the tower are something else! I think the combination of being an all classic Taylor bells helps incredibly. Even got handed the 11th by one of my team members, not realising at the time that it was 40cwt, and pulled it off with a bit of a shock!! Also, thanks for showing us where the results hall was! The whole GoBellistic! team is still suprised that we came 4th overall - We where not expecting it at all!!

[@Steven_Rowe]

My favourite peal of bells, I think for two reasons. Firstly the sound quality of the bells and that classic Taylor tenor drone that seems to be prevalent on pre war bells . Also the tower has wonderful acoustics. I often think if they were ringing a peal I would love to lay on the floor in the ringing room and just go into a state of mindfulness listening. I find something rather enchanting about 12 bell surprise on heavy bells as you hear the back bells and the smaller bells seem to dance around and through them. Thanks for another great video. I would love a cd of a KZbin clip of a whole quarter.

[@simonbellringer]

Thank you Steve. It's not a bad tower to call home these days! They are certainly a wonderful ring, and just about everything you could want from a big 12. And Bristol Max, with bells both big and little, coursing together throughout just sounds fabulous. It was a real treat to stand above these fine instruments and listen to this, hearing the music and feeling the power from underneath my feet. Glad I could share!

[@adriansunman51]

My favourite too, but I am a little biased.

[@Steven_Rowe]

@adriansunman51 well you didn't say why you are biased, perhaps it's your home tower or you are simply from York. When I went there in 2000 it felt like I had experienced a spiritual epiphany, it was like bells in heaven. When I look at some peals whilst the tenors are brilliant the other bells are a mixed bag. Worcester are brilliant as is Winchester and the magnificent 10 at Inverary. The other thing worth point out is you can have the best bells but they are only as good as the tower. Look at the acoustic nightmare of Liverpool. It's the only place I know where you can bash around, get totally lost and absolutely nobody would know.. The funny thing is I love St Paul's and they are old school Taylor's, but they are iconic, the quintessential sound of London and home. I often wonder what St Paul's would sound like if they were retuned.

[@ΝΙΚΟΣΠΟΔΑΣ-δ4σ]

@@simonbellringer hung on 2 levels

[@simonbellringer]

@@ΝΙΚΟΣΠΟΔΑΣ-δ4σ they bloody well are not. If you watch the video, you will see the change-ringing bells are all on one level (the carillon bells above do not count). Stop posting crap, you clearly don't know what you are talking about.

[@adriansunman51]

Marvellous. It always gives me immense joy to hear these lovely rich Taylor bells rung, especially to a high standard

[@harrybellringer]

Ooooh good one Simon!! Definitely my favourite 12, if not favourite ring of all time!

[@DrpanProductions]

Absolutely gorgeous ringing

[@DylanSmith_15]

I absolutely loved ringing here during the RWNYC.

[@simonbellringer]

I think and hope it was the highlight (or one of them) for many during the day. Do come again!

[@DylanSmith_15]

​@@simonbellringerIt was certainly the highlight of the day for me! I even rang the tenor!

[@AYDEN_OFROBLOX]

i what to start ringing @@DylanSmith_15

[@Ringer_Fran]

The best ring of bells in the world. End of.

[@Coreytheringer2345]

Im very delighted to say.....Rang here!

[@SamRudolph-e5v]

Bristol surprise maximus has got to be the best bell ringing method out there.

[@johnpladdys]

A wonderful ring of bells. Over the years they have been made so much easier to ring and strike, and the acoustics really improved to give a fantastic balanced sound. Mostly down to the expertise and dedication of a small group of people, one in particular.

[@ringerpaul3118]

Great video. Thank you for sharing!

[@simonbellringer]

Thanks for the lovely comment - glad you enjoyed it!

[@SamRudolph-e5v]

Amazing bells.

[@theodorranebo2909]

Isnt it possible to do change ringing with electric motors?

[@simonbellringer]

I suppose theoretically it would absolutely be possible to install motors and programme them to change-ring. My question would be - why on earth would you want to?

[@RingerThomas]

Oh god! The meme has really come to life!

[@simonbellringer]

?

[@RingerThomas]

​@@simonbellringerThe meme I posted on Bellringers.

[@simonbellringer]

Ah yes, I've got you. It's been a long weekend!...

[@Steven_Rowe]

​@simonbellringer no doubt you have rung that tenor. Ithink it's the most amazing bell I have ever heard.

[@simonbellringer]

@@Steven_Rowe indeed, I have rung a quarter peal on him. A fine bell, to cap a fine ring!

[@Owentheringer2025_yt]

My friend rung here last week

[@SamRudolph-e5v]

Do York minster oftenly do Cambridge surprise maximus I would love to see a video of it.

[@simonbellringer]

Yes - it's pretty regular on the agenda, especially as it's been the method for the last two National 12-Bell Competitions. I don't film that much there usually, but will certainly try to if a suitable opportunity arises!...

[@SamRudolph-e5v]

@@simonbellringer have you ever been to any of the churches with bells in Manchester.

[@simonbellringer]

@@SamRudolph-e5v yes - a few of them (including the Cathedral and Salford, but not yet the Town Hall). Don't think I've filmed much or anything whenever I've been though.

[@007spudman]

Does ear protection have to be warn in the bell towers? Such a nice sound but the cracking of the audio suggests its VERY loud.

[@007spudman]

​@@RingerOliver59That's what I mean is it required? Will it harm your hearing doing this without ear protection?

[@simonbellringer]

@@007spudman yes, ear protection is necessary upstairs! The slight distraction at 2:20 was when my earphones slipped off and I had to put my phone down to get them back on - it's an incredibly powerful sound, but I only want that sort of exposure for a few seconds tops!

[@SantaRudolph-ef6lv]

Was you ringing the Bristol S Maximus and someone was filming it or were you in the belfry.

[@simonbellringer]

I was filming it in the belfry

[@EricLeiserArtist00]

You reached 10,000 views

[@jakesheard1532]

Where abouts is the extra treble

[@simonbellringer]

The treble and extra treble are to the right of the tenor / directly in front of the 11th, but out of view of the camera. (Actually, you can probably just about see the treble swinging if you look closely at 6:13 - the extra is tucked between it and the 11th)

[@jakesheard1532]

I can't really see the extra treble but I can with the treble