PT-72 on 4/4 BBb tuba??

[WC8KCY]

From an older print catalogue:

Cup diameter: 32.5mm
Cup: Medium depth; moderately rounded at the bottom
Rim: 8.0mm wide. Fairly sharp inner edge, moderately round rim.
Throat: 8.10mm
Model PT-72 is a large mouthpiece for the F and E-flat tuba. The sound has considerable weight combined with the richness and clarity associated with the German concept. It is also recommended for intermediate level students of the BB-flat and CC tubas.

+ + +

I haven't played a PT-72 on a BB-flat, but the specifications certainly suggest to me that it would be a fine middle-of-the-road choice for BB-flat. I did give it a whirl on my Holton Monster E-flat and found it a bit too big and wallowy for even my huge bass tuba; it sure felt to me as though it belonged on a CC or BB-flat.

If your timbral goal is a solid core with a sprinkling of upper harmonics added to spice things up, this could be the ticket.

[WC8KCY]

...and, for the record, the Perantucci model numbering "system" has to be the most illogical there is in the brasswind world. Without a catalogue at hand, it's simply not possible to know what characteristics go with each model number. I ended up making a spreadsheet, based on old print catalogs as well as what's available now online, that would allow me to at least sort it all out by cup diameter, cup shape and depth, rim contour, and throat size.

[Robert Tucci]

This can be viewed at perantucci.com. The mouthpieces are grouped by cup diameter, first for BBb and CC-tubas, then for Eb and F-tubas.
The PT-72 will work on large-bore contrabass tubas, the PT-84 has more resistance and is easy blowing. The PT-82 and PT-89 are much shallower.
With more than thirty models, divising a numbering system is a bit of a challenge.

Bob

[bort]

^ I'm always amazed to see who reads these posts. Very cool, thanks for posting, Bob!

[Ben]

I know of one individual who loves that MP on a MW C (32? 30? i cant recall). So, sure why not. I experimented with it on a 186 many years ago. It wasn't what I was looking for, but the only way to know is to try it out. Every tuba I own prefers a different MP.

[Ben]

I should say that I use the PT-70 on my Alex 163... Its in the same family, but shallower.

[WC8KCY]

With more than thirty models, divising a numbering system is a bit of a challenge.

Bob

Bob, thanks for chiming in. I sincerely hope my concerns about the numbering system aren't interpreted as any kind of slam against the mouthpieces themselves, as that was never intended. An afternoon at Custom Music spent sampling almost every Perantucci model was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in over 30 years as a tubist, and I was thrilled to have so many choices all under one roof. I play a PT-62 on my beloved Holton.

[Will Hammer]

I would consider looking into a PT-84. I believe it's basically the same mouthpiece as the 72, just remodeled for contrabass tuba. I used to use a 72 on my F tuba, and I would use the 84 in quintet on my CC tuba for a reasonably similar feel.
Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the case.