Dennis Wick practice mute opinions

[ckalaher1]

Good morning.

I was just curious if anyone had any experience with the Dennis Wick practice mute, especially when compared to the Yamaha Silent Brass System. I live in an apartment complex, and am curious if anyone out there had any experience with these products.

Having a mute to practice with at home would alleviate a drive at least a couple of days a week.

Anyhow, let me know what you think if you have an opinion.

[imperialbari]

You don’t tell whether for euphonium or for tuba.

I have both for euphonium. The Yamaha is a bit less voluminous, a bit more resistant, and flattens the top range very slightly. It dampens the sound level a bit more. The DW sharpens the top range a bit. If I should keep only one, it would be the Yamaha. But depending on my shape and mood I shift between both of them. The DW sits lower in the stack as it has a smaller opening. Therefor it is useful with some of my other mid-low brasses.

With tuba I find the Yamaha hopelessly heavy. I sold mine at a very low price to a younger and stronger player.

The DW for tuba is made rather specifically for the Besson Eb tubas with their wide throats and narrow lower stacks, so there simply may be a question about the fit for your actual tuba.

Klaus

[ckalaher1]

Sorry Klaus. I am interested in the Tuba mutes. Sorry I didn't clarify.

Thanks for what you added though.

[b.williams]

The Yamaha practice mute is very good. I use it with both upright and recording bells. I have to be very careful when I use it with my 186. The mute weights too much in comparison to the weight of the tuba. My 20J and my Imperial are heavy enough that the added weight of the mute doesn't matter much.

BTW, I practice in an apartment. My wife has called my neighbors while I was playing with the mute in and they all said that they couldn't hear any sound.

The Dennis Wick practice mute was too small for my Imperial, so I sent it back.

Good luck.

[imperialbari]

There are some high end, at least somewhat expensive, practice mutes. One brand very specifically made for specific models.

From the timing of your posting one might guess you are in the UK. My practice mute is made by Mike McLean from England. I found it on the UK eBay, and discussed which size to take, as I wanted one useable on my 3+1 compers in F, Eb, and BBb. I took, what Mike calls the Eb version, but it actually works for my 1970 New Standard BBb also. To the booth this mute is dual purpose and very collapsible. It has 2 different tips with different corking for straight and practice muting respectively. All four parts will stack into a small cone stub.

http://www.mikemcleanmutes.info/mmmsite/about-us.html

Klaus

[bisontuba]

HI-
Yes, Klaus is right on-the Wick tuba mute was designed for the Besson Eb 981. The Yamaha works nice. The English maker Klaus references I have not heard of--you may want to check it out. Lee Stofer carries the Schlipf practice mutes--very nice, but pricey. You could also try out Trumcor and/or Wallace practice mutes too.

For euph, I do like the Wick practice mutes--very nice.

Good luck!

mark

[ppalan]

Hi,
I just recently got a DW practice mute and love it.(so does my wife) I only tried the Yamaha Silent Brass once and found too heavy and cumbersome (not to mention expensive) especially on my smaller horn. It was quieter than the DW though. I'm using it in my YEB 321 and a Mirafone 186 CC. I've had no pitch issues in the Yamaha Eb but the upper register on my 186 gets flat. As I said though, I haven't had it very long and am still getting used to it. I'm trying different placements for the CC to correct the pitch. Overall, I'm happy with it.

[TMurphy]

I have a Wick mute, and I've been very happy with it. In a room in my apartment with a closed door, no one can hear my practice, which is a good thing. It's a little stuffy, but far better than some mutes I've tried. I am using it with a Besson Eb tuba, though (983), so that may be a factor in why it works so well for me.