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Hello all,

I'm looking for a different mouthpiece than my current one, a Laskey 30H. This is being used in an older 4/4 Rudy Meinl CC tuba, and I want something that is similar to the Laskey. I'm specifically looking for a mouthpiece with a flat-ish rim, like the Laskey, but that will give the horn a little easier articulation and a clearer sound. I'm thinking about getting the Schilke Helleberg II, as well as the plain old Conn 7B, (which I own from awhile back.) I'm also looking at some of the mouthpieces that Warburton is putting out. I am just curious to see what some other people think, especially if they have played on such a horn and had the same problem.

Thanks,
Aaron H.

You might like the 30G... feels pretty similar in size and whatnot, but has a different sound for sure. I'm not big on all the words to describe sounds as everyone seems to have a different opinion on what bright means for instance.. but i experienced a slightly sharper articulation with the 30G when I compared it with the 30H back to back.

Perhaps you should try out the Laskey Geib mouthpieces or order a Lee Stofer Geib.

I think the SH-II will be so similar to using the 30H that you will either notice no difference or it will be so subtle that it will be virtually undetectable. I say this as I own both and know that prior to starting his own business, Scott Laskey made the SH-II at Schilke. His 30H is an "improved" SH-II, but the pieces are so similar that it you're looking for a dramatic change, a completely different concept (ie, the Geib) might be a place to start rather than going for another makers version of what is just about the same thing. I should note that Schilke also has a Geib that can be special ordered.

The 7B is an interesting idea. Personally I think the 7B rim is just "stupid wide," but I do use the Floyd Cooley Helleberg on my F tuba almost all the time. It is said that it is a 7B with a modified throat and backbore, but in fact the rim is very different (and narrower and more to my liking) on the Cooley than it is on the 7B. It is on the small side as current mouthpiece offerings go, but it is a helleberg that was intended to be used in contrabass tubas such as Floyd Cooley's Nirschl York. I just never was completely happy with the Cooley on any of the CC tubas I've had (worked best on the MW 2000, but the Laskey 30G was even better), but think its about perfect for me on my F tuba.

I second the vote for Lee's Geib. I use it on my Rudi 4/4 CC and have not found anything that works better for me. It's just enough different than a Laskey 30G to make a positive difference in my playing.

Try a G&W Bayamo. I think that it is comparable to a large Helleberg, but with superior articulation and response. If you can find the old style, heavy G&W, even better!

Frank Ortega

I'm specifically looking for a mouthpiece with a flat-ish rim, like the Laskey, but that will give the horn a little easier articulation and a clearer sound.

From your description of what you're looking for the 30G seems like a great answer (and cheap enough - $109 @ Dillons). It's what I used on my Rudy 5/4 for the same reasons. The Stofer-Geib is an excellent choice too.
Maybe the 4/4 is different, but I'm pretty sure that the Euro shank is what you'd be looking for.

Good luck,

Cam

cktuba wrote:The Stofer Geib is what you want... I wish I still had mine.

You know, that can be fixed with a phone call.

Rick "knowing that Lee had a pile of them at the Army conference" Denney

Stofer Geib.
Definitely...

I couldn't be happier w/ mine-
Wish I had it years ago.

Fits my rotary Neptune like a glove, and would almost certainly work well in your Rudy 4/4 CC.
I'd call it "Like a 30G, but different..."

Jim

Sidey SSH II - Has many of the characteristics of the 30H with a more open bore.

I'll second the Sidey SSH original or II if the rim size works - cleanest articulations I've ever been able to achieve, huge sound, and some of the nicest machining / finishing you're ever likely to see on a mouthpiece. FWIW: My Rudy 5/4 takes the Euro shank -

bloke wrote:

ah-ite, den.

bloke "who was trying to stay closer - overall - to the 30H model in a recommendation with a mouthpiece extremely similar, but with a very low-range-friendly reverse taper throat"

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

Mouthpieces vary in at least 6 dimensions. When someone says "close to X", everyone makes their own personal guess as to which of those 6 dimensions are the important ones, and suggests variations that tweak the *other* dimensions while leaving their favorite ones alone.

Oh...I might add...as you increase the number of dimensions, you get a space where *everything* is "close to" *everything else*. Can't be helped.