Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes: How to Choose the Right Size and Sound

Corinthian Bells are the big, deep-toned tubular wind chimes made by Wind River in the USA. The Original line comes in ten lengths, from 27 to 78 inches, and the length decides almost everything: how deep the sound is, how heavy the chime is and where you can hang it without walking into it. This page puts the manufacturer's specifications side by side and adds what a catalog does not tell you: where the bottom of each size ends up under your porch ceiling, what each weight asks of your hook, and how warranty and repair work.

Editorial Research & Review

Written by

Lena Thornton, Weather Station Analyst & CWOP Contributor

Based on

Wind River's Corinthian Bells product specifications, FAQ, "how to choose", care and warranty pages, plus our own clearance and weight calculations

Hands-on testing

Not performed by The-Weather.com

Research last verified

October 29, 2026

What Corinthian Bells Are

Corinthian Bells is a line of tubular wind chimes from Wind River; the old corinthianbells.com address now forwards to Wind River's own site. Every Original model has six tubes. The Original listings all say "Made in the USA from premium quality US-sourced materials", with pipes from a pure aluminum alloy and a powder-coated finish.

Besides the Original line, Wind River sells Corinthian Bells in other series: Black Spectrum (a black limited edition in 30, 36, 44, 50 and 60 inches), Elements (four elements, Earth, Water, Air and Fire, each in two sizes), Harmonies, Anthems and Eclipse. This page covers the Original line, which has the full range of sizes.

All Ten Sizes Side by Side

Source: Wind River product listings for the Corinthian Bells Original line, checked October 29, 2026. Size is the overall length. The 78-inch listing gives two weights (45 lb in the text, 47 lb in the specifications). The 74-inch weight is lower than the 65 and 78-inch models in Wind River's own listing; we show it as listed. Availability changes, so check the listing before you order.

How Size Changes the Sound

Answer first: longer means deeper. Wind River says larger chimes give deeper tones and smaller models a lighter, higher-pitched chime, from a church-bell tone on the big end to a brighter, bird-like melody on the small end. Its FAQ names the 78-inch as the deepest Corinthian Bells. The honest way to judge a sound you cannot hear on paper: Wind River's FAQ says its chime pages have sound clips, so listen to the two sizes you are torn between before you order.

• Key of G? Two sizes are in G: the 56-inch (G A B D E G) and the 60-inch (G A B D E F#).
• Want two chimes that go together? The 27 and 44-inch share the same note names (C D E G A C), and so do the 30 and 50-inch (A B C# E F# A). They sound at different pitches, but with the same notes they should not clash (our reading). Wind River itself calls the 30-inch a duet partner for the 50-inch.
• A slightly different color: most sizes use a five-note scale where any two notes sound fine together. The 74-inch adds two notes right next to each other (E and F), and the 60 and 78-inch add the note just below their home note (F# for G, A# for B). That gives those three a touch more tension (our reading).

Want it quieter? Wind River's FAQ suggests hanging the chime in a more sheltered spot or using a smaller wind sail. Your neighbors may thank you for knowing that before you hang a 78-inch bell next to their bedroom window.

Where the Bottom Ends Up: Our Clearance Calculation

The overall length runs from the hanging ring to the bottom of the sail. Subtract it from your ceiling height and you know where the sail ends. A standard U.S. door is 6 feet 8 inches (80 inches) tall, so we use that as the line: anything lower can meet a tall adult's head (our reading), and belongs outside the walking path.

Our calculation: ceiling height minus Wind River's overall length. ✓ = ends above door height (80 inches). A hook, chain or S-hook adds length and lowers the chime further, and the sail swings in the wind.

What the Weight Asks of Your Hook

Wind River's care page says to hang chimes from a support that can carry their weight, and not too close to walls or poles, because a windy day can then do more damage. Our cautious advice: use a hook rated for at least three times the chime's weight, because a swinging chime pulls harder than it weighs.

• 27 to 44 inches (2 to 6 lb): a sturdy screw hook in a solid porch beam is the usual setup.
• 50, 56, 60 and 74 inches (11 to 20 lb): a rated hook screwed into a beam, not into a thin soffit board.
• 65 and 78 inches (30 and 45 to 47 lb): treat it like hanging a heavy planter: a rated hook in a structural beam or a strong tree limb, and two people to lift it into place. Wind River notes that the thick tubes of the larger chimes can make them heavy and cumbersome for an elderly person to hang themselves, which is worth knowing if it is a gift.

Which Size Fits You?

Wind River's own advice backs up the space side: a large chime can be a dramatic focal point, but only with enough wide, open space, and a small chime in a big space can look out of place.

Who may want something else: if you want a light, sparkly sound or something very quiet for a small balcony close to the neighbors, a big tubular chime may not suit you at all. Our wind chimes for outside page compares other types and brands.

Warranty, Repair and Where to Buy

• Warranty: Wind River's FAQ describes a limited warranty of up to five years depending on the product line, and its warranty page lists Corinthian Bells under five years. Registration is not required.
• Repair: Wind River repairs its own chimes, in or out of warranty, by mail with its repair request form. It does not sell do-it-yourself repair kits, and its restringing program covers only Wind River chimes, not other brands.
• Genuine or lookalike: because repair and restringing only cover Wind River chimes, check that a listing names Wind River as the maker before you buy (our advice). Amazon search results can include similar-looking chimes from other brands.
• Hear one first: Wind River's FAQ says its chimes are sold through garden centers, gift shops and florists as well as its own website, and that you can contact it with your zip code to find a retailer near you.

Wind, Storms and Care

This is a weather site, so here is the weather part. A wind chime needs wind, but not too much of it:

• Rain: Wind River's care page says rainstorms will not damage its chimes.
• Severe wind or ice storms: the same page recommends taking the chime down and storing it away from the weather. If a storm warning is out, bring it in along with the patio cushions.
• Cleaning: soap and water, as often as needed; a glass cleaner for highly reflective finishes (Wind River).

Curious how windy your yard really gets? An anemometer tells you, and it makes a great excuse to stand outside listening to your chime.

Colors

Sizes up to 65 inches are listed in ten finishes: Black, Copper Vein, Green, Midnight Blue, Patina Green, Plum, Rose, Ruby Splash, Silver Vein and Sky Blue. The 74-inch is listed in five and the 78-inch in three (Copper Vein, Green and Silver Vein). Not every color is in stock at all times.

Corinthian Bells FAQ

Sources

• Wind River: Corinthian Bells Original collection and product listings
• Wind River: Frequently asked questions
• Wind River: How to choose a wind chime
• Wind River: How to maintain your chimes
• Wind River: Warranty information and registration