PT-48, 50, or 88??

CTAYLOR · Post by **CTAYLOR** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:03 pm

Im looking for a huge mouthpiece so i can just pop out pedals and low register loud and with no problem. I have a PT 42, and 44. Im looking for something bigger though. Its just not the sound I want. On the website it says the PT 50 is the largest of the funnel series. but the specs show that the 48 is larger. People tell me that the 48 is larger also. Which one is really bigger? And also the 88, i know its a different style mouthpiece but just wondering how it compares to the 50 and 48.

CTAYLOR · Post by **CTAYLOR** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:24 pm

so what about the 50+ and 88+? Do they have a deeper cup or are they just more metal?

Onebaplayer · Post by **Onebaplayer** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:28 pm

just more metal

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:41 pm

I tried both the PT-88 and PT-48 out when I bought my Cerveny Kaiser. I went for the PT-48 because I felt it gave more color to the sound - but of course that is my personal preference.

Although the PT-48 is a big mouthpiece, I can still get a good high register using it, while it is naturally really great down low providing a solid bass sound.

I have just started using the PT-48 on my 4/4 CC for concert band, although I prefer using the smaller PT-90 for orchestral playing, and PT-65 for solos.

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:09 am

I use a PT-88 as my primary mouthpiece but I also use a PT-36 and Helleberg 7B. I enjoy all of them but the PT-88 is probably the best I own and I find it comfortable to play in all registers and I can easily honk out the low notes.

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:16 am

Its been my experience, that a wide mouthpiece with a shallow cup and an enormous throat makes playing in the pedal and low register much easier. Maybe the LOUD LM-10, or LM-12? Or a Josef Klier 1E or 2E. Check out the PT-86 too. A bit wider than the 88, but about half as deep.

tubeast · Post by **tubeast** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:39 am

Large rim diameter faciliates slow lip-flapping as well as great amplitude (i.e. amount of moved air per lip-flap).

Large bore makes it easier to empty your lung quickly, which is what you do down there.

Everything else (funnel/cup/bowl shape) is up to your personal sound preference.
I own the 50+. It doesnÂ´t seem that big anymore. I use it for more delicate playing on both CC and F tubas.
The 88 sure was big, but my sound was hoarse on it, so I decided not to use it.
I made something bigger myself, and to some success.
If you have access to a lathe and some woodturning tools (scrapers can be used for brass, chisels are not a good idea), you can alter a fairly large, cushion-rimmed MP to pretty much anything you want.
It pays to have it silverplated once you found a shape that serves you.

UDELBR · Post by **UDELBR** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:20 am

I've been pretty happy with a Bach 7 Mega these past ten years. Lends a very resonant low range.

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:07 pm

I have a bach 7 also and I like it..but yes the 48 is bigger then the 50. The cup isnt quite as deep, but the throat is bigger, and and the rim is a little wider. With my experience I think it is better than the 50 for low range. (blasting peddles)