FAXX mouthpieces

[SplatterTone]

I have a Faxx 25 and a Helleberg. I don't have a Bach 25 for comparing; so I can't provide a direct Faxx versus Bach report. The 25, in general, is at the small end of mouthpieces. I do have a Kelly 25. The Faxx is tuned more to the higher end than the Kelly; for example, the low f is considerably deeper sounding on the Kelly. So, it depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. The rim on the Faxx feels a little smaller than the Kelly, but that could be a subjective thing because of the feel of metal versus plastic. I've never cared much for the Faxx 25. Construction and finish are perfectly OK. I just don't like it.

The Faxx Helleberg is a good one. It feels like it has a slightly smaller internal diameter than the Conn -- very slight difference. I think the tone has more clarity without dimishing the ability to hit low stuff like 234 DD. I prefer the Faxx over the Conn. The "Helleberg" designation seems to get tossed around a lot by makers, so a comparison to the Conn might be a little bit of apples and oranges.

Again, I must emphasize that I have not found anything second rate in the construction or plating of Faxx mouthpieces. I have seen vendors other than WWBW selling Faxx.

[SplatterTone]

The Bachs I have (22, 18, 12, 7) all seem to be based on the same idea with a rim I would call medium. Comparing the Faxx 25 to the Bach 22, I would bet that the Faxx 25 is probably at least a very close copy of the Bach 25 if not identical to it.

The 25 is definitely smaller than the 18; I might even say way the hell smaller. I have 24AW in Faxx and Kelly, and the 25 feels smaller than those. It's a little difficult for me to work it. I suppose if I spent some time with it, I could adjust. I can usually work with the Bach 22 given a few minutes to adjust to it. I find I can quickly adjust to the Kelly 25 which definitely has a different feel than the Faxx 25 and a deeper, mellower tone.

If your local store has a Yamaha 65, that's pretty close to the 25 and should give you a good idea of how the 25 feels and sounds.

If you are looking for something for the e-flat that is a little smaller than the 18 but has the same-ish rim, there is the Bach 22. The Yamaha 66 and 66B, with somewhat thicker rims, would be in about that size range too. The 66B is a shallow little sucker which definitely meant for a brighter sound.

The Wick 3 sizes would be in about that size range (i.e. Bach 22, Yamaha 66), I think. But they have a rather broad, flat rim more like the Conn 7B -- significantly different than the Bach rim. The Wick 3S (S=shallow) can serve up a light, lyrical tone if that is what you are after.

You mentioned bass bone. As far as I know, Faxx tuba mouthpieces only come in regular tuba shank. I can put a small shank tuba mouthpiece on my VMI euph, but it doesn't work right. My favorite for that is the Yamaha 55. On the smaller euph (3+1 Amati) with medium (euro) shank, I favor a Kelly 5G. On small shank euph, I favor the Yamaha 51C4. But I play barely enough euph to know which end to blow in, so pay no attention to my euph meanderings.

[SplatterTone]

If you are still looking, here is a Bach 22 copy that I think is probably legit.
http://tinyurl.com/3akonw

[Tubaryan12]

I picked up a Faxx Helleberg today. It is as described....Bach on the outside, Conn Helleberg on the inside. It feels and plays like the lovechild of my Jim Self and Marzan mouthpieces. I'll try it out for a while and see how long it takes me to not like this mouthpiece as well.

[SplatterTone]

lovechild of my Jim Self and Marzan

It made me think: Child of a Bach 18 and Conn Helleberg. It's a good mouthpiece if you're a Helleberg kind of person.