TubeNet

Hi all,

Having just aquired a little Amati Eb I was trying to figure out what a good mp would be to use. Of course, being the good TubeNetter that I am, I used the search feature to come up with a good short list of possibilities. What is confusing me a bit more however (even having searched it) was WHAT SHANK SIZE to use. My Kellyberg that I use on my BBb only goes in about a half an inch so I assume it must need a smaller shank. Any suggestions?

Thanks, as always!

Based on the information you gave us, it looks like a large-shank trombone or euphonium mouthpiece should fit the receiver in your Amati.

Hope you're enjoying your new horn!

Thanks, Kevin. Are there any other ideas or suggestions, folks?

I would think a euphonium or bone mouthpiece would be to small for an Eb tuba. I was hoping to use a Helleberg 7b for its similar feel to my regular Helleberg (and its recomendation by others for an Eb mp), but I assume that it will have the same size shank as the regular Helleberg.

Maybe a quick education would help me. What are the differences between shanks? I think I can figure out the difference between large and small shanks , but where does a european shank fit in?

Thanks again!

kegmcnabb wrote:I would think a euphonium or bone mouthpiece would be to small for an Eb tuba.

A "normal" euphonium or trombone mouthpiece likely would be too small (most are under 26mm ID). One exception is the Yamaha Roger Bobo Tenor Tuba model -- basically a 32mm ID tuba cup on a trombone shank (I'm assuming it's a large shank, but they don't specify that, so you might want to check before buying one). Just looked at the WWBW site -- they have the Replica Series Bobo TT in stock, and charge $62.50 for it, as compared with the Signature Series version (which is also in stock) at $218.00 ...

kegmcnabb wrote:I was hoping to use a Helleberg 7b for its similar feel to my regular Helleberg (and its recomendation by others for an Eb mp), but I assume that it will have the same size shank as the regular Helleberg.

A 7B Helleberg does have a "standard" tuba shank. It's a pity they don't make a "bass-bone-shank" version -- it would probably work well for your horn.

kegmcnabb wrote:What are the differences between shanks? I think I can figure out the difference between large and small shanks , but where does a european shank fit in?

The european shank is between the small and large shank sizes.

Hope this helps!

Replace the receiver with one that takes a standard ( U S ) shank, that way you can use your usual mouthpiece.

tubamirum wrote:Replace the receiver with one that takes a standard ( U S ) shank, that way you can use your usual mouthpiece.

You could also have a machine shop turn down the shank on your 7B to fit your horn.

Just found something interesting on mouthpieceexpress.com -- their Conn Helleberg spec chart includes the following entry:

Model: 5E
Instrument: Euphonium
Cup Depth: Deep
Rim Shape: Medium round
Comments: New to the Helleberg Series, the 5E Euphonium mouthpiece has a large cup volume, deep cup, and gentle throat entry to provide excellent control and flexibility with a full, yet focused sound. Suitable for practically any euphonium performance application.

They don't seem to have any in stock yet, and (of course) there are no dimensions given in the spec chart, but if this one's as good as the tuba versions, it'd be worth trying.

Kevin Hendrick wrote:Just found something interesting on mouthpieceexpress.com -- their Conn Helleberg spec chart includes the following entry:

Model: 5E
Instrument: Euphonium
Cup Depth: Deep
Rim Shape: Medium round
Comments: New to the Helleberg Series, the 5E Euphonium mouthpiece has a large cup volume, deep cup, and gentle throat entry to provide excellent control and flexibility with a full, yet focused sound. Suitable for practically any euphonium performance application.

They don't seem to have any in stock yet, and (of course) there are no dimensions given in the spec chart, but if this one's as good as the tuba versions, it'd be worth trying.

THATS a euphonium mp. The shank might fit but it won't work on an Eb tuba.

TubaTinker wrote:THATS a euphonium mp. The shank might fit but it won't work on an Eb tuba.

Wasn't sure -- thought it might be an option. Thanks for the clarification, Dan.

BTW, just for future reference, do you know what the cup ID and depth (approximate) are for the Helleberg 5E? That one mention at Mouthpiece Express is the only thing I've seen about it so far. Is it in production yet? Any information would be appreciated -- thanks!

I've got two tubas that require a small-shank mouthpiece--a St Petersburg and a 3/4 York Master. Denis Wick makes the smaller-shank mouthpieces that will work in these horns. Might fit your Amati too.

Kevin Hendrick wrote: Any information would be appreciated -- thanks!

Kevin... there doesn't seem to be very much standardization in the numbering/style systems for mouthpieces. And... you won't get much help talking to your local music store. They won't know much. The very best advice I can give you is to either change the receiver on your horn to a 'regular' one... turn the shank down on your current mouthpiece... OR get on the phone to Dennis Wick and get information "straight from the horse's mouth". Looking a literature from Conn, Bach, or other 'big brand' names won't get you anywhere.

kegmcnabb wrote:My Kellyberg that I use on my BBb only goes in about a half an inch so I assume it must need a smaller shank. Any suggestions?

A Denis Wick mouthpiece designed for the old Besson tuba shank will work fine. That size is slightly larger than a bass trombone shank, and of course they are actual tuba mouthpieces.

Any of the Wick tuba mouthpieces will work fine as long as they DON'T have the L designation. In other words, a Wick 2 will work, but a Wick 2L will have the large shank and won't work.

A Wick 3 might be a reasonable starting point for an Eb tuba.

The alternative is to have a large-shank receiver installed, which is easier and solves more problems than turning down mouthpieces. Then you can use your Kellyberg.

Rick "who thinks Dan's reamer might be userful here, too" Denney

Rick Denney wrote: Rick "who thinks Dan's reamer might be userful here, too" Denney

You're probably right, but at the moment, I don't have anything with a small shank in house. I'm ready to do some REAL experimenting

Thanks everyone,

As usual the TubeNet community provides mucho good info. I think maybe a Dennis Wick would be a good place to start.

Any guess-timates on the price of receiver replacement?

kegmcnabb wrote:Thanks everyone,

As usual the TubeNet community provides mucho good info. I think maybe a Dennis Wick would be a good place to start.

Any guess-timates on the price of receiver replacement?

Probably between $30 and $50 in south-western Indiana.

I mentioned earlier the small receiver on the 3/4 York Master I'm trying out. At band practice tonight a fellow tubist loaned me a Schilke 60 bass trombone mouthpiece (really deep cup) which turned out to be the best all-around solution I've found so far. Cheaper probably than modifying the horn, and if the Amati is a fairly small-bore horn, it might work there.

A few months ago, I got this antique Conn mouthpiece on *bay that you're welcome to. It looks like some I've seen before that fit into the older Eb American horns. It's a little too large for my Elkart bass bone, but fits pretty snug in my small older piggy receiver. It says "Conn Special" on the bowl and resembles a mini-Helleberg.