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I need to get a mute for a bell-up euph.

So far the only two I've seen out there are the H&B and the Wick. I have a french horn Wick that simply does not work in a regular horn; it only works in my little high F single, indicating that its "reflective end" is not in the right place, plus probably some other things about it, for most double horns. Trying to play in tune with a mute that messes up the harmonic series is not worth it. I've never been fond of any H&B I've played with either...lousy sound, and also problems with intonation, although not as bad as that Wick.

Does anybody have a mute recommendation other than "try before you buy?" I can do that at ITEC (hopefully) but wondered if someone other than a vendor had input. Right now I have a King euph but am planning on getting a non-Besson 3+1 compensator.

MA

I have the DW euph mute and have found it to be a great mute, at least as great as any mute can be. I've used it a few times and have loaned it out to a few folks and all have been pleased with the sound. With the fact that you are planning to get a non-Besson horn I should tell you that every horn this mute has been used in since I purchased it has been a Besson compensating horn with my current horn being a Sovereign so as with all things YMMV but I have been happy with it.

All mutes shall be tuned. All mutes may have their corks adjusted. Some mutes like the Ion Balu euph and tuba mutes come with adjustable corks. Some horn mutes have inner adjustment options. The DW horn mute hasn’t one from the factory, but I made a cardboard tube to sit inside the tube already being there. That cardboard tubing may be pushed in the right position.

Klaus

I recently purchased a Denis Wick mute for my euph and have been very happy with it. I do pull out the main slide about another 1/8 - 1/4 inch for same intonation as open bell - but the overall intonation is good. My bell is 11" and not 12" like a lot of the others if that makes any difference. I thought about getting an Apperson mute (hand made by Ron Apperson in Boise, ID) but it was more expensive.

See this discussion on Dave Werden's forum about euphonium mutes. Several said to stay away from the H&B as it has very poor intonation. This discussion has some pics, links and testimonials (two pages long):

Buying Euphonium Mutes

I found a new-but-never-used Wick for about half price and bought it sight unseen. It's kind of a brassy-sounding mute, and it does sharpen the pitch somewhat. The corks need adjusting in my current bell, but since I'm seriously considering a new-to-me euph I think I'll leave the corks alone for now and see what I have after ITEC. I rarely need a euph mute so I guess this was kind of a frivolous purchase.

MA

FWIW, I was at last week's NABBA competition in Raleigh, NC. There were several euphers who brought mutes on stage with them. Almost all (~90%) were Wick mutes.