mouthpiece for antique (hacked) Eb helicon?

[sloan]

I've got an antique Eb helicon that has been extensively reworked. In particular, it now sports a standard sousaphone gooseneck.

It's a *very* small bore instrument, that needs to be played more like a trombone than a tuba . Which is why my trombone-playing son usually plays it at TubaChristmas.

Every year, about this time, I start to wonder...what would be a good choice in a vanilla mouthpiece that would a) fit and b) be appropriate for the size and tempermant of the beast.

"beast" because it's a bitch to play in tune. We appear to have learned a few things about tuba design in the last 100 years...

[sloan]

The shank is standard-issue US BBb Sousa.

When it arrived, I grabbed the smallest thing on my shelf, which was the Yamaha mouthpiece that came standard-issue with my YBB-621.

It seems adequate. It *fits* OK. I'm just thinking that perhaps something aimed at an Eb (or F) would be more suitable.

[sloan]

I'm really looking for something "off the shelf". No need for the price of the mouthpiece to rival the price of the horn. I only have $500 for this toy - and I spent $200 for a lovely gig bag that's a perfect fit (finding a bag just sitting in the corner of the shop that just happens to be a perfect fit positively compels one to puchase it!)

[windshieldbug]

It *ought* to be something about the size of a bass trombone mouthpiece. You might be able to scare up an old Conn-Giant, which IS about bass trombone size because everyone wants something bigger these days. Will a large shank BT mouthpiece fit, or can you get a bit to fit that neck that will take a BT shank? Part of why these horns don't play so good any more is that most people try to use WAY too big a 'piece...

[Dave Hayami]

Maybe, one of the Marcinkiewicz ST-4 or ST-3 mouthpieces would work out for you.(on sale at Mouthpiece express)
Joe, did you have any good results when you were trying one of these on your F?
Just a thought.
Dave Hayami


2005 Los Angeles TubaChristmas Dec. 11
www.bassethoundmusic.com/TubaChristmas.html

[Kevin Hendrick]

The ST-4 might work well for you (I've had good results with it on my Sear CC). You might also consider a Bach 30E or 32E -- the cup depth is roughly the same as the ST-4, but the ID is a lot smaller (1.277" for the ST-4, 1.181" for the 30E, 1.161" for the 32E).