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I need a better straight mute for my Miraphone 186. I've got a clunky, heavy wooden thing that works, but it's difficult for fast mute changes. I'll be playing the Bartok Dance Suite, which has several (quick) mute changes, and am looking for something lighter (aluminum), with a convenient handle. Any recommendations? Humes and Berg 208? Would prefer not to have another wooden one.

rshuster wrote:I need a better straight mute for my Miraphone 186. I've got a clunky, heavy wooden thing that works, but it's difficult for fast mute changes. I'll be playing the Bartok Dance Suite, which has several (quick) mute changes, and am looking for something lighter (aluminum), with a convenient handle. Any recommendations? Humes and Berg 208? Would prefer not to have another wooden one.

I use the H & B 208 for my 186. It is definitely light/user friendly and, overall, I think I would recommend it. The tone is a little more buzz-y and a little less bite-y than I would like, but it's still a decent general purpose sound and certainly at least serviceable for probably 99% of all muted tuba effects.

If I were going to do it all over, though, and had the cash, I'd buy an Ion Balu mute. They're wood, but (having used my teacher's) similar in weight to the H&B.

Ah, bloke is correct! The 206 is the model - flat top not the bubble top.

I stand by the Balu mute though, no proofreading problems from me there.