24AW - in praise of

[Donn]

If nothing else, here we can see the futility of mouthpiece advice. Of the kind usually found here - as in `Hello, my name is Fred, I play tuba and need a better mouthpiece' -> `Hello Fred! I use a ____ mouthpiece and it's great!'

[Curmudgeon]

If nothing else, here we can see the futility of mouthpiece advice. Of the kind usually found here - as in `Hello, my name is Fred, I play tuba and need a better mouthpiece' -> `Hello Fred! I use a ____ mouthpiece and it's great!'

Dear Fred,

Reviewing this thread, I notice that I'm probably the only one who said I liked a particular mouthpiece. I did so because, unlike most US folk like me, I have used a compensating Eb (not an F) tuba for many years and I don't use a 24AW, which is often used with this type of common instrument in the UK.

Fred, you'll see many posts here on TubeNet with a myriad of hidden motives.

I do not sell the mouthpiece I mentioned, the Sellmansberger Imperial, nor do I profit from any sale of said mouthpiece. It just a good match with the compensating Eb tuba on which I am often paid to produce fart sounds.

Cheers!

[bloke]

If nothing else, here we can see the futility of mouthpiece advice. Of the kind usually found here - as in `Hello, my name is Fred, I play tuba and need a better mouthpiece' -> `Hello Fred! I use a ____ mouthpiece and it's great!'

' sorta saw how THE mouthpiece which is THE topic-in-particular was discussed and reasonably specific details/opinions-with-non-minced-words were offered...

Many mouthpieces are "great/good/pretty good" and "work". I view the "24AW" as the (reference 1980's) "Rico 'graftonite' clarinet mouthpiece" of the tuba world. The 24AW is (possibly) THE one tuba mouthpiece (with an analog to THE one clarinet mouthpiece) which I would in-black-and-white personally label as "not good".

[PaulTkachenko]

How can I be so happy with it, then? I've got loads of mouthpieces knocking around at home ...

Totally up for trying another one though ...

[bloke]

How can I be so happy with it, then? I've got loads of mouthpieces knocking around at home ...

Totally up for trying another one though ...

Something is on the way to Phil. I extend the same offer to you.

Getting off this thread and doing PM's (or an email) is best, yes?

[imperialbari]

Meta-message to this thread:

A private message ended up in my in-box. Only it was obviously not intended for me. As it obviously would be obsolete by now, I have deleted it with no further action beyond this posting.

Anyway it is my suggestion NOT to use personal messages whenever the email option is available. The TN-inbox has a limited capacity which calls for action not to run full. At least with my set-up emails are handled much more easily.

Klaus

[PhilGreen]

The inner diameter is too small - for most players (except for those with very front-pointed facial structures) to truly realize their own sonic potential

The rim is too wide - for most players to truly realize their potential regarding flexibility, particularly when legato and/or quick jumps between ranges are required

The throat is too large - needlessly wasting air needed for long phrases, and requiring needless extra work when achieving a majestic sound in the low range

Lucky for me then that most of my work calls for staccato playing, in or around the same octave with a pretty mediocre sound. And not saying I'm goofy but I've been known to eat an apple through a tennis racket. Now I know why I love my 24AW so much!!!


Bloke has very kindly offered to send me one of his custom mouthpieces; he's aware of my playing requirements (and facial anomalies) so I'm really looking forward to comparing my sound (after all, that's what its all about isn't it?) on it during the trial period. If anyone is interested I'll update the board periodically with progress and thoughts.

Just getting my arguments in line for my next thread - Why don't you all use proper, compensating tubas......?

[bloke]

Why don't you all use proper, compensating tubas......?

I know you were (sort-of) kidding, but I'll answer that one.

- Many of the BBb's over here (due to very heavy school use over several decades) are old and leaky, which makes people think they are "stuffy". Another thing that makes people believe they are "stuffy" is that on quite a few of these - BOTH the BBb's and Eb's (and you should check yours...) - the valve stems are too short for (with even the thinnest bumper washer under the button) the ports to be able to properly line up on the down-strokes of the pistons.

Having been able to play BOTH BBb's and Eb's that are [1] NOT leaky and which [2] sport enhanced-length valve stems, both the BBb's and Eb's are nice tubas. As Roger Bobo has hinted in his writings, the 19" bell Eb sounds (vs. the original 15" bell) a bit too "pretty" and is somewhat mono-sonorous. That doesn't keep me from LIKING it, though.

[PhilGreen]

Why don't you all use proper, compensating tubas......?

I know you were (sort-of) kidding, but I'll answer that one.

- Many of the BBb's over here (due to very heavy school use over several decades) are old and leaky, which makes people think they are "stuffy". Another thing that makes people believe they are "stuffy" is that on quite a few of these - BOTH the BBb's and Eb's (and you should check yours...) - the valve stems are too short for (with even the thinnest bumper washer under the button) the ports to be able to properly line up on the down-strokes of the pistons.

Having been able to play BOTH BBb's and Eb's that are [1] NOT leaky and which [2] sport enhanced-length valve stems, both the BBb's and Eb's are nice tubas. As Roger Bobo has hinted in his writings, the 19" bell Eb sounds (vs. the original 15" bell) a bit too "pretty" and is somewhat mono-sonorous. That doesn't keep me from LIKING it, though.

I liked mine too - both the EEb and BBb Sovs. However I do know what you mean, having helped out some brass bands on their Bessons in the last 12 months. Personally, I joined the Rotary club about this time last year and haven't looked back (except for when I need to get a high E natural above the stave -jeez, I miss that note!)

[pwhitaker]

I often use a really old (1920's) custom made H.N.White mouthpiece which is a 24AW on steroids. The inner rim is about 36 mm., the cup is AAA deep - almost 2 inches, the backbore is about 9.5 mm and this mouthpiece was cut from a piece of 2.25" brass stock. The rim is very rounded and about 11 mm wide. I've had this mouthpiece for abour 35 years now and have had 5 copies with slight modificatios made in the interim - brass, stainless and titanium. This is my go to mouthpiece, along with its siblings. I've played almost every commercial mouthpiece there is and always wind up back with this group. I like the blokepieces, the Warren Deck, the Bayamo and other GW and Hauser mpc's. I just can't get really comfortable with these "smaller" mpc's (< 34.5 mm).

I have used these mpc's on all of my BB's and Eb's over the years. The only drawback is that the treble clef is a bit dicey with these pieces, but since I play primarily traditional jazz it's not a problem. Since I've switched exclusively to old 6/4 recording bell 3 valve BB's these mpc's are ideal for my style of playing and let me produce the tuba sound I have in my head.

FWIW.

[Neptune]

Personally, I joined the Rotary club about this time last year and haven't looked back (except for when I need to get a high E natural above the stave -jeez, I miss that note!)

You are playing a Melton 2040/5? That was always the troublesome note for me too and one reason I eventually sold what was otherwise a great tuba.

[Neptune]

On the 24AW, I used one for a number of years and it does provide a lovely rich tone and some of the best playing I have ever heard live has been on such a mouthpiece.

What I don't now like quite so much about the 24AW is the tone is slightly woolly compared to other mouthpieces and it does seem small to me now. With the EEb I currently prefer the Denis Wick Heritage 2XL which has similar wide rounded rim but is slightly larger and gives good definition. Phil if you have not tried, worth check out.