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I loaned out my tuba, an old, old Mirafone Bb 186, and it came back with a PT-88 in the gig bag. I normally use a Helleburg, but of course I gave the PT-88 a try, and found out I like it a lot.

Of course, I could just get a PT88, but I'm cheap. More precisely, my wife just does't see another mouthpiece as a worthwhile investment. So I'm wondering if there's anything with the same playing characteristics for less dough.

So... big, bowl shape, and cheap. What does a Bach 7 play like? Anything by Marcinkiewitz... maybe one of the N series? Yamaha, Wick, aren't most of them funnels? I remember something about old King mouthpieces being big bowls... anything else?

John Thompson
Tubist, Capital Brass
Columbia SC

Custom music is still unloading PT mouthpieces at $75...

I have just been watching a TV advert for Volkswagen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omAwEPbHmV0, I guess the point is if you want a PT88, save up and get yourself a PT88.

As an old guy who has played alot of mouthpieces I've never played anything that nailed a PT88. I grew up on a Conn Helleberg and then went through everything, the last being a Monette 98. I am probably an anomally in that I use it for everything, although I'm in good company with Willie Clarke. Willie's beautiful sound in All registers was what got me to try it and I now have two 88's, one with a shaved down shank for small recievers or flat horns, and a mega. Just for general information I play on a rotary King Bb, an old style detachable pistonBb, a2341 Bb, and a Conn 5J. On my Eb's I use a PT 32 and they are a York top action 4 banger, a Conn front action 4 banger, and a King front action 3 banger. They don't seem to be for everyone but at 58 years of age I'd rather go for consistancy han chase my tail, as I've spent so much time and money, looking for a majic wand. Chester Schmitz uses the same rim on a bunch of different cups but these are customs and very expensive.For whatever it's worth. Ed

Original Poster here; thanks to all who replied...
I looked at the Mouthpiece Shaped Object on Ebay... I'm not THAT desperate! Besides, it looks to have a wide, wide rim, so not a PT-88.

So what's the difference between a PT-88 and a PT-88+, other than the plus is a heavyweight?
John Thompson

That's the only difference.

At $75, this is the best you're probably ever going to see a PT88. If you like it that much, drop the bucks. When Jeff Rideout came through town and I got to try the entire PT line, I actually purchased one right out of the case, as I was afraid with manufacturing tolerances another might not feel exactly the same. I'm glad I did. My PT 34 for my 186 for high register playing is very secure. Likewise, when I played the PT82 through the PT605 and asked Jeff if it would be a good fit to the 38K, he agreed. So I dropped the bucks and I'm glad I did.

Matt @ Dillons recommended the Curry 128D for my 186, Vladimir recontoured the rim for me, and it is my main mouthpiece for all-round playing with the upright bell.

Most recently, Jim @ Kanstul has made me a custom 18 that has their deeper bowl but moderate throat and backbore in my preferred 1.28 cup for the recording bell. Again, not mega-bucks, but no more than any other "boutique" mouthpiece.

The point of this digression: if it works for you, get it. We pay thousands of $$$ for tubas. What's another C-bill for a mouthpiece?

PT-88+ and PT-88s

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I might try a Dillon G3. It's a Geib model, fairly similar to a PT-88 and (for me on my horn) seems to allow for a better sound.

- Stephen

If you're going to try out a Geib variant, the Stofer Geib is the best one going.