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Anyone try one of these:

http://www.ionbalu.com/Balu_Tuba_mutes.html

they look great, mine look like crap (gaffers tape on them and such, but they play pretty well).
Just wondering,
Bill

Nice find. They look beautiful. I have a metal one on order (didn't feel like trying to spell allum... alumin... aluminium...guh).
If they're even half decent I'm going to cancel my order as they're cheaper than most and gorgeous to boot!

Those instrumet pegs are nice and well-priced for the product. If they can arrive before the holidays they'd be a good gift idea.

So please... anyone tried these mutes?

I tested these mutes for Ion Balu a couple of months ago. I can say without a doubt that it is the best mute I've ever played! Very even response throughout all registers, consistent tone, not at all stuffy. If you are considering buying a mute I would highly recommend Ion's mutes!

Ed Owen
Arkansas State University
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Those are really purty but before I shelled out the bucks for those newbies, I would have to try an orange traffic cone with some split wine corks epoxied on it. I already have a vast collection of wine corks and I bet I could quickly round up a traffic cone.
If it sounds good I can paint it gold so folks will think I have money.

Ed Owen wrote:I tested these mutes for Ion Balu a couple of months ago. I can say without a doubt that it is the best mute I've ever played! Very even response throughout all registers, consistent tone, not at all stuffy. If you are considering buying a mute I would highly recommend Ion's mutes!

Ed Owen
Arkansas State University
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

What horns did you try them with?
I would love to get a set for my CC (PT6)
and F (PT10). I guess I would need the XL for the CC and a normal for the F?
How was the intonation? Were the corks as easy to change as they claim?
Thanks,
Bill

Hi,
just thought that I'd post that I was just recently sent one of these mutes to try. I was so taken with the mute that I took it on a 3 week tour. The mute has a GREAT sound and plays great in ALL registers! You can't beat the price and the workmanship either. VERY COOL MUTE!
Al Baer

I was with Dr. Owen when he tried the mutes. These are very well made, and have a sound that is very smooth and without those edgy rhaspy sounds that creep into other mutes. Although I didn't get a chance to try it personally, it sounded like Ed describes. I would also say that Mr. Baer experienced what I heard out of the mutes.

He hasn't stated yet, but I believe that Dr. Owen tried two mutes out on a M.W. 2155, and a M.W. F of some type. Two different size mutes; one for a smaller and one for a larger bell. The ability to change the position of the corks was also good. Solid corks and well placed spots for adjustment. In the time I spent watching and listening, I also learned more about good mute placement in the bell.

I will be buying one soon for a bass trombone when they become available. Ion is also a very good performer (third horn with Memphis if I remember correctly), as well as making inroads in making mutes.

Tom Mason

the elephant wrote:...Anyone know of a "mute" that does not really soften the tone so much as makes it extremely metallic and buzzy, but more so than my aluminum H&B? How are the Wick, TrumCor, and R&S ones? Needs to fit my Alex, BTW.

I have both a H&B Aluminum mute and a Wick.

With my setup, (Hirsbrunner CC, and both Yamaha 821 F & B&S F), the Wick is far less "metallic and buzzy" than the H&B. Similarly, I also use the H&B for most orchestral stuff.

That is a really sexy mute. For all those times that people have looked over and laughed at the trashcan mute (aluminum, silverish colored) that is ugly, hard to make sound good, and overall annoying, it's a nice change to see these mutes.

Kudos to you for finding these things. Here I was thinking H&B and Wick were the only two types of tuba mutes available.

Well.... other than road cones and volley balls, which are readily available (some by moving vehicle, others on the store shelf).

the elephant wrote: Warning: Ion says that a slight price increase is coming down the pipe soon, just to let any of you fence-sitters out there know . . . about a week from now . . .

Yeah. I was wondering about the price, since his french horn and trumpet mutes are situated near the top of the price spectrum, and worth it!

The tuba mute costs as much as the french horn straight mute at the moment. For comparison: the price ratio for a Humes & Berg or Wick straight mute is 2:1 or higher. I expect Balu prices will evolve to a similar price point once demand rises....


Get them NOW!!!!

I've just placed my order for a pretty red mohogany mute. I'll get back to you all as to how I like it. (soon I hope)

Please excuse my ignorance, but would this mute function well as a practice mute? (late at night while the wife and kid are sleeping). I am trying to squeeze in extra playing time and I've read archived posts about practice mutes vs performance mutes. Thanks

Great info-- thanks so much. I doubt that players in metro areas realize what a tremendous resource this board is to those of us in more rural settings (ie-- limited access to pro teachers).

That was not my point. Excellent players/teachers can be anywhere, but the chances of locating one are greater in a metro area. I can and will drive 250 miles for lessons--- but the point I wanted to make was that for the last 6 months that I have been learning to play again (after a couple decades off), this board has been a great source of info.

Does anyone know if the type of wood (i.e. mahogany, walnut, or onyx) makes a difference in the sound of the mute, or is it just an aesthetic feature?