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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...

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.

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!)

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...

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

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).