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Okay. I recently posted about the possibility of designing a practice mute, but that doesn't seem to be an option. So has anyone ever done a comparison of the Trumcor Stealth, Yamaha Silent Brass, and Denis Wick practice mutes? I'd be very interested to know the differences, advantages and disadvantages between all of them.

Trumcor: Used a 'deluxe' in the past with terrible results in any horn I tried it in. Must work for some? OR they've never played a better mute and live with it.

Silent Brass: Great mute but cumbersome in use. Make horn top heavy. If you play v upright you may be fine. Also a bit fiddly; moreso than most other mutes.

Wick: Some people don't like these but I have one designed for the B&H Eb (4/4ish Sovereign/Imperial). Works great for me; light & robust with good muting and good intonation tendencies. I also use it in slightly bigger horns by wrapping a length of bubble wrap around the small end. Works very well.

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Not mentioned by you:

Schlipfinger: First rate mutes and small/light BUT only useable for the exact model designed for. Mr S makes dozens of sizes. They are also expensive. If you have one horn it might be an option.

Maclean/Wallace: I have an older Wallace Collection mute designed again for large Eb tuba. Works a treat and fits flush inside the bell.

All mutes are a bit of a pain.
Best advice would be to go somewhere and try 'em if you can with your tuba(s).

I asked Matt Walters at Dillon Music for a practice mute suggestion for my 981, and he handed me the Dennis Wick I've been using for years. I like practicing with it as I feel it really helps build up my "chops", as Louis Armstrong called them.

Adam

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Eh...I think I'm going to try the two plastic flower pots recommendation. I don't have too much money, and I don't want to buy the wrong thing. This way, I can custom fit everything for just a few dollars instead of getting a set size for way too much money. I'll figure it out. Thanks to all.