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EDIT: It's a 4/4, not a 5/4, I found from Cameron Brook.

Hi all, I am fortunate to be playing a nice old Rudy at the moment and would like recommendations for suitable mouthpieces. I currently have a Kelly 18 in lexan and Perantucci 68, which both work OK, but I know I can do better and both have American shanks. Partly it is lack of practice but I am not entirely happy with how the notes are speaking in the mid range (C->G in the stave). Being where I am it is hard to get mouthpieces to try out and my funds are very limited, so if I have to make a purchase without testing then wise words here will be a great help. Based in Canberra, Australia. Cheers, Gavin.

If you like stainless steel, a Selmansberger Symphony should do the trick. Call Bloke at Mid-South Music. 901-465-4739. This mouthpiece has a fine low range without requiring too much air.

I believe the original mouthpiece that came with this horn is the Rudy Meinl 10. It's a good mouthpiece, but it's a bucket.

I recommend a call to Mid-South Music in Tennessee. Bloke can set you up with a very good match if you give him some honest things about you and what you're hoping to achieve.

He has designed a very good product which I use every day.

Sorry, should have said: I am in Australia.

Currently using (and love) Dillon Olka CB2, Euro shank

Also used with good results:
RM10
Stofer Geib
Laskey 30H & G
Curry 130DH

Can't say enough about how good the CB2 feels for my needs and the sound I achieve. They are the proper tools for me.

I prefer large mouthpieces and use a Mike Finn 3B with my Rudy 5/4 BBb.

I have a Rudy 5/4 CC, and have used a number of different mouthpieces with it. Recently, I purchased two Harrison Wedge mouthpieces, the H2 (in a heavy blank) and the 7B (in the standard blank), and both work exceptionally well with the Rudy. Both mouthpieces have an American shank. They are expensive, but you get a 90 day trial period with a full refund if returned within that time period (they must be in good shape, obviously), and they ship internationally. They have quite a large line of tuba mouthpieces, and if you contact Dr. Dave, he will be able to provide you with guidance to make the best selection for you. I have been extremely happy with both of mine, and believe it will take quite a great mouthpiece to get me to switch from either of these.

http://www.wedgemouthpiece.com/index.html" target="_blank

BTW, I have no connection with the company other than I like their mouthpieces.

I don't know about the Rudy 5/4, but seeing your edit that it's really a 4/4... I used to own a Rudy 4/4 CC, and most mouthpieces worked well on it.

I particularly liked Geib style mouthpieces, especially a Kanstul Geib.

Also, I really liked an old Rudy Meinl RM1 that I had (which was different than a newer RM1). It was a little smaller in diameter, but would really make the horn sing. The RM1. (that's "R-M-one-dot") was also a really good mouthpiece for the tuba. Wait, or maybe the RM1 was good and the RM1. wasn't? Well, either way, I liked the RM1 variations. I also tried the RM0, RM0., and RM10, and didn't like any of those.

I know certain folks have a certain distain for the 24AW. However, the great John Fletcher used one regularly on both his 5/4 CC Rudy and the Holton CC BAT. His other mp was the Conn 2. Yes, he did have one of Jake's special Hellebergs that was referred to as the "Magic Mouthpiece." I believe Steven Wick now guards this one. These are not necessarily sophisicated premium mouthpieces by today's standards, but what they had in common was a moderate volume and a not too large throat. Bloke (on another thread) was just discussing the pairing of smaller mps on larger horns to offer a bit of beneficial resistance. I, like many others, enjoy sporting the latest equipment. The search for the "magic bullet' in mouthpieces, is a fun pursuit, though rather expensive and probably a bit foolish. I really have to admit, that probably the best MP I have in my collection is a 50 year old, tarnished silver, Mount Vernon Bach 18. Hard to go wrong. Many newer pieces have special features for special purposes, but they are more often not general purposes pieces for everyday playing. Too small or large and you just fight with things. I really believe that one of the secrets to Bill Bell's incredible sound was resistance and how he would simply play with a huge relaxed breathing apparatus and put the sound through the horn like a singer. That tells me there was a certain balance in his choice of equipment, none of which was huge, albeit his Martin 6/4 3valve BBb recording bass that he would use in the Asbury Park Band.

bort wrote:Also, I really liked an old Rudy Meinl RM1 that I had (which was different than a newer RM1).

Mine is a Tilz-NEA Hirsbrunner M1. Either way, it's a 33mm Helleberg-style cup, and I used it on my 4/4 Rudy successfully in every setting.

FWIW, Wesley Jacobs used a Bach 18 on his 5/4 in the pre-Yorkbrunner days.

Both mouthpieces share the characteristics that others have mentioned: a large, but not gigantic cup, and a fairly standard throat and backbore. On larger tubas, it seems strategic to keep the mouthpiece from getting too big. For me, it affords a control point where I can play past the big horn's intonation quirks, and get a full sound without collapsing a lung.