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That Bach 18 is pretty much a 'beginner' mouthpiece. If you feel it's a bit too big for you, you might try a Bach 24AW or a 25. If you don't want to make major investments just to give them a try, both sizes are available from Kelly... a TubeNet sponsor.

bloke wrote:Bach 30E

Marcinkiewicz ST4

Both good choices -- I carry one of each in my "kit" (along with a Bach 7 and a Kellyberg).

bloke wrote:Bach 30E

Marcinkiewicz ST4

To play Dixieland bass on a BBb sousaphone?

Never played either, but the chart says 30E has the same diameter as a Wick 5. I like that mouthpiece, and I know no two people's tuba interface parts are built the same, but it seems like a bit of a handicap for the kind of burly somewhat contrabass role I'm thinking of.

I wish I had a reference for some of the other dimensions of popular mouthpieces, like the drill or bore sizes. I can hear a little of what I imagine our correspondent is talking about, when I play a Kellyberg on my BBb sousaphone, but not so much when I put on a C4, which I understand to have the same diameter -- but narrower bore and shallower cup. Bach 24AW, Conn 7B, Denis Wick 3 et al. are a little narrower at 31.5mm, but possibly deeper than a Bach 18?

My theory here, anyway, is that a shallower mouthpiece might support that mid range better than a narrower one, and also play with a nice edge. I just don't know any economical mouthpieces that would be on the shallow side.

"my advice is to just practice a bit more."what kind of blasphemy is this? we don't come to tubenet to be patronized. we want concrete ways to improve our playing by just spending a few thousand dollars without wasting valuable time. (i'm one of the leading proponents of this philosophy,so i should know)

Donn wrote:
I wish I had a reference for some of the other dimensions of popular mouthpieces, like the drill or bore sizes.

There is such a list compiled by AndyCat here.

I must be looking at an old version of that, because while mine has columns for bore, rim width, and cup depth, there isn't actually much data for some mouthpieces, notably Bach and Schilke. I know, some people are never satisfied, but here we are, wondering how to compare other mouthpieces to this guy's Bach 18, and my chart really doesn't go there.

So I look forward to seeing the new one when I can decode the format, which I assume is Microsoft spreadsheet.

Conn Helleberg 7B will help you center much better than the 18.
ken k

I like the Helleberg 7B also. It's a smaller cup than the Standard Helleberg and has a more rounded rim. Very easy to play on and not too pricey.

Donn wrote:So I look forward to seeing the new one when I can decode the format, which I assume is Microsoft spreadsheet.

Alas, still inside rim diameter only for Bach and Schilke.

Marcinkiewicz gets a (virtual) prize for complete data, the only mouthpiece maker whose published data covers every column in this chart. So, what do they have for a moderate width and shallow cup ... well! It's the ST4, same as already recommended by bloke and a reasonably priced option as well. I might get one myself.

Yamaha 66D4 is smaller but is deep so you still get decent fundamental in the tone; and it doesn't cost a lot. I used it a lot when I started working on tuba, and still use it when I need to play quietly. The Yamaha 67C4 has a thick rim that gives a lot of support and a mellow tone for tuba newbie (or even not newbie). Now, I mostly use Faxx 24AW (similar to Bach 24AW). I have smaller mouth and lips -- part of the charm of my adorable baby face looks.

I got curious and ordered the size 18 mouthpiece that Sam Ash is selling under its house brand for a cheap price. It hasn't gotten here yet.

The Sam Ash mouthpiece arrived.
http://tinyurl.com/9xf54
Even though it has "18" in the model number, it is definitely smaller than that. The cup looks Helleberg-y to me. My best description is a cross of the 7B cup and throat with the 120 rim. Their description: "Setting new standards and quality in a brass instrument mouthpieces for the starting student. Each mouthpiece has smooth silver plated finish creating a great feel, with a mirror silver looks as good as any pro mouthpiece."
Well ...
I don't think I'd want to use their reference mirror for shaving. But for the price, it's plenty OK if you're mostly interested in the sound.

Tubaryan12 wrote:

Donn wrote:
I wish I had a reference for some of the other dimensions of popular mouthpieces, like the drill or bore sizes.

There is such a list compiled by AndyCat here.

I tried to open Andy's mouthpiece file, but it's Excel Spreadsheet format which I don't have. Is there another way to open this file? My PC is a new HP purchased this year. I dont have MS Office.

Ace wrote:I tried to open Andy's mouthpiece file, but it's Excel Spreadsheet format which I don't have. Is there another way to open this file? My PC is a new HP purchased this year. I dont have MS Office.

You can find freely-downloadable viewers and converters for MS Office starting here:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp