This has a fine sound - a "clang" sound, rather than a dry sound. As with all the LP grey bells, it suffers from corrosion inside. I also have the ES-11 bell, and I painted that with Hammerite anti-corrosion paint. This bell also needs that. Painting it does not alter the sound. This is a problem that LP needs to address. They tend not to be very responsive when one messages them, though. That aside, I recommend this bell.