TubeNet

I have a question about F tuba mouthpieces.
Right now, on my CC tuba I am using a Miraphone TU31 mouthpiece, and it is great. I am also currently borrowing an F tuba. For the time being, I've been using the same mouthpiece for playing F. Does anyone know of a mouthpiece that has a similar sound and feel to the TU31, but is perhaps a bit smaller to make high notes easier, without compromising low range or depth of sound?

Or would you say that it is doable to play an F tuba with a large mouthpiece like the TU31?

Maybe another miraphone mouthpiece? C4 or something (I forget the new model # for that, I think tu-23)

You could experiment with a few inexpensive alternatives at http://www.kellymouthpieces.com/kmtuba/index.asp" target="_blank. At least you wouldn't be spending a small fortune on pieces that don't work well for you. And keep in mind that what works well for another player won't necessarily work as well for you. If there was one "best" mouthpiece, that would be the only one available!

normrowe wrote:You could experiment with a few inexpensive alternatives at http://www.kellymouthpieces.com/kmtuba/index.asp" target="_blank" target="_blank. At least you wouldn't be spending a small fortune on pieces that don't work well for you. And keep in mind that what works well for another player won't necessarily work as well for you. If there was one "best" mouthpiece, that would be the only one available!

Had this been about a mouthpiece for a player returning to the BBb tuba after some years of hiatus I would have agreed on Kelly as the cheap option to try a few standard designs.

Maybe the Kelly 25 isn’t too deep for an F tuba, but the others are.

bloke says he is biased. Off course as he markets his own models. I am also biased, but have nothing at stake businesswise. I have been used to the PT-50 for many years. I loved the sound, but the huge cup and especially the not very well defined inner edge made high range control risky. And when small tubas entered my scene, decisions had to be taken. I found other good mouthpieces for the larger tubas, but my search for an F tuba mouthpiece only came to a halt, when I started using the original blokepiece now also known as Solo #1. As bloke developed his modular concept I added the #2 for my large Eb’s and the Symphony for BBb basses. All played with the #1 rim.

This modular concept is good for the sanity of my embouchure, but even if the #1 cup has the, for me at least, right balance between shallowness and room enough for the lips to buzz without hitting the bottom of the cup, then it is no sissypiece. The wide cup takes a strong embouchure.

There since have been some more rim options added. I can’t say anything about these, as I haven’t tried them.

Klaus

I am currently using a PT-64 and a laskey 30c. The Pt-64 gets me a darker bigger sound and the lasky I think is better with solos.

Stefan

I would recommend the 2 following from G&W based on my own personal experience.

Alan Baer MMVI F/Eb
John Sass signiture

The Baer is a bit more cupped. Lovely tone quality. The Sass I found more easy to play. I also use the Sass on my Miraclone with great results. They both sounded great on the Yamaha YCB 641 (now sold, alas).

You can order them and try them out - send them back if they don't work out.

I do not stand to benefit from this recommendation. I just have had great results with both.

Steve.