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What's a good mpc that adds a bit of 'edge' to the low register on this horn? (I'm currently using a Conn Helleburg).

This is the german-style, 5 rotary valve CC.http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... n%26sa%3DN" target="_blank" target="_blank

thanks!

(Seriously, though...try something in the Perantucci family of mouthpieces. My experience with them on a Yamaha YCB-841 was always good (PT-50, PT-88)...I don't have the bread for one of those huge new ones, though. What do you mean by "edge"?)

My PT-50 gives me a pretty nice edgy low range on my neptune, but if the funnel style isn't working for you, perhaps a bowl shaped PT (The numbers over 50 I believe are all bowl shaped. I might have that wrong though). I think I knew someone who used a Schilke Geib on a 861 was well. If you want really shallow there is always the Loud LM-10 (people have been known to use this mouthpiece to 'liven' large-ish rotary tubas). I find the LM-10 too shallow for normal playing, but I could see it having it's uses. As always, your mileage may vary.

I spent a couple of years on an 861 in college and always enjoyed the sound I got with a PT-88, but the Dillon M1CB was the mouthpiece that really brought that horn to life for me. It's funny... I never used to *really* believe that certain mouthpieces worked better with certain tubas. I just figured that if the mouthpiece worked well for your face, it would suit you well on any tuba (of similar size/shape/key, etc...). I recently re-acquired an M1CB and I don't care for it at all with my Rudy 4/4. On the Yamaha 861, though, it was king!

-Brett

willbrett wrote:I spent a couple of years on an 861 in college and always enjoyed the sound I got with a PT-88, but the Dillon M1CB was the mouthpiece that really brought that horn to life for me. .....-Brett

I will second Brett's nomination, but with a slight twist. I borrowed one of these for a few months and had great success with a Dillon Geib 3. The G3 and the M1C were pretty similar as I recall. If you are really serous about edge in the low register, though, you should check out a PT-82. The 861 with that mouthpiece is capable of peeling every bit of varnish off the viola section.

Try the Yamaha Jim Self. I've been using it for 5 years. Works great in all registers.
Jeff

And now for something completely different: PT82. It did wonders for the new PT605 BBb, with its really large bell throat, more a 4/4+, almost a 5/4 BBb. It does exactly what you're describing as desired: great response, definition, and edge to the low register.

Another definite edge in low register mouthpiece: PT34. And great focused high range as well, which might be a concern with the large Alex-type bore that the YCB-861 has, when using other mouthpieces. Downside of the PT-34: 8.4 mm bore, which requires a lot of air. But if you have the air to give, it's great.

Any time anybody is wanting "edge" to the low register of a rotary tuba, especially with the bore and stack that approaches Alex, Miraphone 187/8, PT601/GR51, pre-WWII "Grand" or "Mammoth" souzys, "Fafners" and their kin, etc.: a bowl-cupped mouthpiece with a moderate to moderately large throat and open but focused backbore is the solution.