best way to make a cowbell sound better is weld the seams on the side, then it will be a solid piece of metal. I bought one from my cowbell and when i got it, it was already chipped. My bell also flew out at the first game. I have been experimenting with all this, at our shop at work. I want to get mine powder-coated. No More Chips. Also the thicker the metal it is made from the better, it will be heavy but sound awesome