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I recently got an Eb tuba (Yamaha YEB-321S). None of my current mouthpieces seem like an appropriate fit.
I generally play a large sized BBb with and equally large mouthpiece. The idea behind buying an Eb is to have a tuba more appropriate for small ensembles and solo. I'm looking for a light sound that can blend in well in a chamber wind group of about ten. Most playing will be around middle-C (the one just above the bass clef staff, and just below the treble clef staff), say a half octave in either direction.

My upper register is a bit weak as I'm more accustomed to playing the BBb and usually in the pedal range. So stability and control in the upper register is most important. I've much work to do in hitting the right partial.

Besides much practice, I figure I should start out with the right mouthpiece (or at least close to it)

The Perantucci PT-84s and the PT-72 were recommended to me.

Personally, I was looking at the PT-65 with the idea of greater ease in the high range. I was told it might be too small for an Eb, and more suited to an F tuba.

I'm hoping for some suggestions and advice, at least to narrow things down to a couple best choices to order and try out. I'm open to any brand, although I'm used to Denis Wick and Perantucci.

I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread so I started my own. I will ask sjotuba how he feels about his new sellmansberger imperial. I'm not sure I'm looking for the same characteristics as they are. I may play with a brass band in the future, but now my interests are more towards a light sound and upper melodic register for chamber winds. I'm looking for a mellow horn-like sound, not the baritone/trombone sound which is why I picked the Eb and not an F.

-Stu

You could get an alto horn pretty cheap that serve quite well for that range.

Maybe try one of the Classic Denis Wick mouthpieces (1l, 2l, 3l)

A Kelly 25 would be an inexpensive starter. You can always keep it as a spare if you find something better, but I am not sure that you will.

You can't get "too small" for an Eb. I use the Sellmansberger Solo and the Parker Bel Canto. I lost my Sellmansberger Imperial, which I really liked for quintet work on Eb. I have one of the first run of PT-84, which might be too deep a cup for your Eb. That mouthpiece really saved my bacon, but if the pitch is even more squirrelly in the upper register, downsize. If you have access to a Josef Klier supplier, the 4B is about as big a mouthpiece as I could use without major pitch issues. 4C is right down the middle.

I've played my YEB321 for a long time. The best selection of mouthpieces I've found for mine are the Wick 3L, Laskey 30C or 28C, and the PT64. FWIW

I also played a YEB321 for many years. For me, the best mouthpieces (at the time, 30ish years ago) were a Bach 24AW and a PT-8S. If you're primarily doing higher range playing above the staff, the 8S offers a very nice, light sound on that type of horn. Good luck!

The Yamaha 66D4 works fairly well in the YEB321 and it's fairly inexpensive. Good luck with your search.

Tom Holtz wrote:You can't get "too small" for an Eb.

I found that my Wick 5L was too small. Maybe you could make it work, but I couldn't.

I use a DW 3L in the Norwegian Star for brassband.
For small settings, (quartet, renaissance music) I found the Miraphone TU 17 to work fine as well.

I will try out some different mouthpieces on my Besson Eb when I get it back by the end of the year.

MaryAnn wrote: I found that my Wick 5L was too small. Maybe you could make it work, but I couldn't.

You might have been trying to play tuba music? He's an octave higher.

MaryAnn wrote:

Tom Holtz wrote:You can't get "too small" for an Eb.

I found that my Wick 5L was too small. Maybe you could make it work, but I couldn't.

YMMV. I've just really enjoyed using smaller mouthpieces for the sake of clarity and endurance. My experience is, admittedly, a bit different because I'm using a bass amp so often. No shortage of fundamental there. I can roll with the small gear and be perfectly happy. Truth be told, I took a new larger-than-I'm-used-to Michael Parker rig out for a spin on Sunday and really liked it...

Donn wrote:

MaryAnn wrote: I found that my Wick 5L was too small. Maybe you could make it work, but I couldn't.

You might have been trying to play tuba music? He's an octave higher.

Then why isn't he just playing a euphonium? (I know, asking wrong person, but still.....) I don't try to play violin parts on my viola.

My thoughts exactly. That's an awfully high register to be hanging around on an Eb tuba.

tubbytuba wrote:Most playing will be around middle-C (the one just above the bass clef staff, and just below the treble clef staff), say a half octave in either direction.

Joe's Solo with the "0" shank.

I started using a PT-72 in college with a 321S, still use it as my main mp on a Miraphone 1261. Always been very pleased with it.