TubeNet

Does Marcus Bonna still make tuba mutes? I'm finding nothing on google. I know he used to.
Thanks

Here is Marcus' own site, the mute section

JohnH wrote:You might like the R&S plastic mute which is "tuneable", but is makes the least alteration of sound of any mute I've played. I have to "help out" the tone change by moving my tongue up a good bit.

I have been curious about the R&S mute. I would like a mute that could be made to easily fit multiple horns and the R&S would seem to fit the bill. Anybody else out here use one and how do you like it. JohnH, you seem to indicate it doesn't change the tone enough. That would be too bad because that is precisely what I am looking for...a mute that will give me a thin, buzzy tone (but in tune) to match the buzzy sound of the Mexican marimbas in my marimba band. For those of you who have never seen an actual Mexican marimba, they use a piece of bat wing or pig intestine across the bottom of the resonator to make the sound buzz like crazy. That's the sound I want to match.

Suggestions?

bloke wrote:I dunno, but if anyone makes a BAM specifically to fit 6/4 tubas that doesn't totally suck and screw up the pitch/response, etc., I'd like to know about it

I gave up fighting a long succession of mutes on my 6/4 by just getting a metal trombone straight/cup mute and just holding the metal cup over the bell. It was easy to control the sound one wanted, although your left hand had to have the cup in it. Sure, it is goofy when described, but I found that, although weird sounding close by, conductors liked the sound at the edge of the stage and beyond.

The big plus for me was control of the sound.
The potential minus was tuning, but hey- it was muted tuba anyway, and hopefully between chops and the horn it's minimized if needed at all

JohnH wrote:Have you considered modifying a metal mute like a "sizzle" cymbal, with either loose rivets or beaded chains draped across the top? That might give you the buzz you're looking for.

John,

Thanks. That's an interesting suggestion. It just might work.