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I'm having a bit of a problem with pitch on my Besson Eb. I tend to play flat everywhere but above the staff. Any suggestions on mouthpieces?

Mark

I've used a PT-63, a Dillon PS S3, and am now currently using a Mike Finn MF4 with my 983. I really dig the rim and the ratio of extra metal and what it does not only for intonation, but for slotting notes and smoothing out slurs. Hope this helps.

The Impaler wrote:I've used a PT-63, a Dillon PS S3, and am now currently using a Mike Finn MF4 with my 983. I really dig the rim and the ratio of extra metal and what it does not only for intonation, but for slotting notes and smoothing out slurs. Hope this helps.

I'm using the MF-4 right now with my yamaha yfb-621. I know that's off the original topic, but I found that for my f tuba, this mouthpiece helped with similar problems with intonation.

Mark: I use a PT-72 on my 983 with success. You may also consider the Dillon/Sheridan mouthpieces as well. Good luck in your search.

Steve

Mark N. wrote:I'm having a bit of a problem with pitch on my Besson Eb. I tend to play flat everywhere but above the staff. Any suggestions on mouthpieces?

Mark

That is why I sold my Besson 983.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies...I will start giving your suggestions a try. I hope a different mouthpiece will help solve this problem. Otherwise, I think I may be going down the same road Sean did.

Thanks again,

Mark

I tried a Conn Helleberg 7B, and a Mike Finn 2, but switched to the DW 3 that came with it and have no problems with intonation that aren't manageable. I do have the main tuning slide in almost all the way, but can keep it within +/- 5 cents throughout most of my useful range without any slide manipulation.

Mark: I just noticed from your post that you are in Greensboro. That is where I am as well. I have several mouthpieces that you may test on your 983 if you wish, including the PT72, Wick 3L. I also have another PT that I have let a student borrow temporarily. Let me know if I can help.

Steve

Lessons By Tuba4 wrote:As Arnold Jacobs would concer, to be able to play the Besson 983 with any intonation whatever, one should be able to sing and hear the pitches after learning which valves to press.

Singers play Besson 983's and sound heavenly while doing so! Sean, no need to sell. Just take singing lessons! hee, hee!

I sang. I buzzed. I kicked @$$.

The horn played well in tune with itself, had a unique sound, and was overall fun to play. It just did it all at A425.

The purchaser brought a tuner to try it out and seemed to be pleased with the intonation, so mileage varies.

I use the Wick 2SL...the shallower cup gives it a brighter, move vibrant sound, for me. I haven't experienced any major tuning issues with this mouthpiece.

I was fortunate enough, back in November 1998, to have 8 copies available to choose from at Brasswind. I tried them all out with my C4, a Conn Helleberg and an old Perantucci 28 (29? - anyway, it was old). Nothing seemed to click until I tried the Wick 3L that comes with the horn. At that point I was quickly able to narrow the choice to between 2 of them. My only issue with the "winner" is a slightly flat 4th line f and d1 above it. Everything else centers in really close, and using 1-3 for f and 1-2 for d1, it all scans. Meanwhile, the Wick has become my default mouthpiece on all my horns.

If you have one of those 6 "stray cats" Brasswind had, God bless you. A couple of them were truly awful. I wouldn't know where to begin.