PT mouthpiece question

Mudman · Post by **Mudman** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:53 pm

Question for players of PT mouthpieces:

Which PT models do you use or recommend for solo and quintet playing?

I am still establishing my doubling technique on tuba and have reached the point where I suspect a smaller mouthpiece could give my sound more life (focus, zip, resonance) in the registers normally used in solo/quintet playing. I am using a PT-88 as my only mouthpiece on two CC horns, a Conn 52J and Miraphone 184. I really like the comfortable rim and would gladly buy another PT mouthpiece.

Range and endurance are not issues using the PT-88, just timbre and focus.

Even though everybody is different, I'm hoping to see if there is a consensus on a good starting point in the search for a mouthpiece that suits my needs.

Anybody think I should stick to the 88 and learn how to make it go? (Is it primarily used for meat-and-potatoes playing?)

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:13 pm

I like the PT-65 (in general, and on a Mira 184). Comfy rim and bigger-than-but-kinda-C4-like cup. I also like the PT-84 (which is what I use on my Mirafone 184). The PT-84 barks a bit less in the low register. I feel like I can get more sound out of the horn with it being a bit less gruff.

hope this helps,

Christian

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:33 pm

I'm not sure what a PT-65 is, maybe you meant the PT-64?

Nope. Bzzzzt. Wrong answer. Good job posting without doing your homework !

http://www.custommusiccorp.com/Accessor ... bampc.html

PT-65

* CUP DIAMETER: 32 mm. - Medium depth - Very round
* RIM: 8.5 mm. - Rounded with well defined inner contact point
* THROAT BORE: 7.8 mm.
* Model PT-65 is similar to the PT-64, on which it is based. The PT-65 provides a strong center and great accuracy in all ranges just as the PT-64 does, but with a different tonal nature. The center is clear and dominating yet dark in character. The response, the accuracy, the flexibility, the tonal nature of this new model accommodates modern large bore instruments and demanding contemporary literature.

joh_tuba · Post by **joh_tuba** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 5:29 pm

TubaSkeep wrote:I use strictly PT mouthpieces and I would suggest not a PT 65 or 64 because they don't work well on CC horns or at least that is what Dan Perantoni says. I would go with a PT 50 or a PT 48.
My 2 cents

Have you tried the 65 or 64 on a CC? It goes a long way in quickening the response and lightening up the sound more towards that of an F tuba. IF that is the sound a player is after then why not use an 'F tuba mouthpiece'? It's sure a lot cheaper to buy another mouthpiece than to buy a whole new horn.

While the PT-65/64 is a pretty standard F tuba type mouthpiece the 184 is far from your average CC. I would characterize the 184 as an F tuba in CC clothing. Using the 65 or something similar would probably go a long way in bringing out the most characteristic sound possible. If you go too big on such a small horn you are in danger of just making it sound dull bloated and out of proportion with itself.

FWIW