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I recently got a J.W. York and Sons tuba, patented July 12 of 1910. I think it's silver plated and has a serial number of 28624. Everything is pretty much intact; it just needs a cleaning and some dent repair. It was sitting in the attic of the house of a man who died fifty years ago, and I purchased it at the moderately expensive price of three dollars. A little pricey, right? So anyway I tried to play it, but my Yamaha 24AW mouthpiece won't fit into the lead pipe of the York tuba. It appears that I need a mouthpiece with a larger shank, though I'm not sure what kind to get or where I can buy one. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

I recently got a J.W. York and Sons tuba [...] three dollars [...] 24AW mouthpiece won't fit into the lead pipe [...] I need a mouthpiece with a larger shank

Can we have pics?

It's four four. Unfortunately, it only has three valves. Here's a picture.

Many of those old Yorks had very small receivers. You might try a bass trombone mouthpiece and see if it fits. If it does, you have what's often called a Small Euro shank.

There are several companies that make small shank mouthpieces; most dealers that carry Denis Wick mouthpieces regularly stock the smaller shanks, and they're available in all five sizes except for the 2.5CC mouthpiece. If the Wick has an 'L' after the mouthpiece size it's a modern larger shank size, so you need one that's only the number. Other companies may offer the small Euro shanks as an option.

An alternative may be to get an existing mouthpiece cut down to the proper size, but you can run into problems if the backbore is large.

EDIT: I just reread your post; did you mean to say you need a larger or smaller shank? Most of the old Yorks have small receivers and need a small shank. Some are so small that even a bass bone mouthpiece won't fit. If you have one with a large receiver, it may have been retrofitted.

Does this work better?

Okay no that picture didn't work at all. Anyway though. The problem with this is that the mouthpiece shank is actually too small, not too large. I need a larger shank.

GC wrote:Many of those old Yorks had very small receivers. You might try a bass trombone mouthpiece and see if it fits. If it does, you have what's often called a Small Euro shank.

There are several companies that make small shank mouthpieces; most dealers that carry Denis Wick mouthpieces regularly stock the smaller shanks, and they're available in all five sizes except for the 2.5CC mouthpiece. If the Wick has an 'L' after the mouthpiece size it's a modern larger shank size, so you need one that's only the number. Other companies may offer the small Euro shanks as an option.

An alternative may be to get an existing mouthpiece cut down to the proper size, but you can run into problems if the backbore is large.

He said it was too big (odd, no?)

Yeah, I reread, caught my mistake, and altered my original post. Unless the 24 AW was specially made with a small shank or cut down, the York was probably retrofitted at some point. A normal 24 AW is pretty universally usable with an American receiver, and it seems strange that someone would have put a large Euro receiver on an antique York. Then again, there wasn't a lot of standardization back then.

Sounds like the solution might be a Euro shank or Euro/American adapter.

Yeah I have to say I'm confused. I did some research and was sort of expecting to need a smaller shank mouthpiece before I got it. But then when I tried the mouthpiece I had to push it way in and it didn't make a seal. Anyway though so I need a European shank mouthpiece if my current mouthpiece is too small?

wrap plumbers tape around the end of your mouthpiece shank

Yeah, plumber's tape or a couple of wraps of paper would work for a tryout. I'd try a couple of other mouthpieces before buying just in case your 24 AW has an unusually small shank. If other American shank pieces don't fit, then you know you need something larger.

A couple of companies offer American/Euro adapters. I got one from Dillon music several years back. It might be worth a try if you don't want to spring for a new piece.

And sorry, I had my Eb blinders on and wasn't thinking about the BBb. It was a brainless goof.

If you have a caliper, measure the diameter of the leadpipe opening. Report it here and the experts will be able to tell you what you need.

Yes, my all origional 1930's silver 6/4 york BBb 3 valve front action needs a larger shank mouthpiece as well. I was lucky enough to find an origional york 92 mouthpiece from Dillion Music- thanks you MATT!!!! it has a large shank and fits the tuba perfectly. That mouthpiece will not go in any other tuba I have... at all. It is surely the mouthpiece that was made for those horns. The york 92 mouthpiece is a large mouthpiece with a very pronounced cup. Of all the mouthpieces (I wraped tape around to try) this york 92 really makes the horn HAPPEN. The cup shape really helps focus the york 6/4. It also allows the high range to sing! It is a wonderful instrument with the origional mouthpiece. Also, with this instrument and mouthpiece, all that is said about the old 6/4 yorks not playing in tune is completely false. If this is what you have found, you are in for a real treat. I will try a post a picture sometime soon, or reach me for more info. Thanks, Tim

Tim Jackson wrote:Yes, my all origional 1930's silver 6/4 york BBb 3 valve front action needs a larger shank mouthpiece as well. I was lucky enough to find an origional york 92 mouthpiece from Dillion Music- thanks you MATT!!!! it has a large shank and fits the tuba perfectly. That mouthpiece will not go in any other tuba I have... at all. It is surely the mouthpiece that was made for those horns. The york 92 mouthpiece is a large mouthpiece with a very pronounced cup. Of all the mouthpieces (I wraped tape around to try) this york 92 really makes the horn HAPPEN. The cup shape really helps focus the york 6/4. It also allows the high range to sing! It is a wonderful instrument with the origional mouthpiece. Also, with this instrument and mouthpiece, all that is said about the old 6/4 yorks not playing in tune is completely false. If this is what you have found, you are in for a real treat. I will try a post a picture sometime soon, or reach me for more info. Thanks, Tim

Thanks for all that info I had no idea I needed a York mouthpiece to play a York tuba. I guess I'll have to look on ebay or something to find one.

Sweet!

But you got bent over a barrel, man. I wouldn't have paid more than $2 for that hunk.

Have fun with that!

Wow...look at that bottom bow!

wow LUCKY!! I wish I could grab a deal like that one!!(I'll buy it off of you for $6)

Doug

Deal of the millenium