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I need a mute ASAP. Dillon has the Dennis Wick. https://www.dillonmusic.com/denis-wick- ... -tuba.html" target="_blank

I just don't know if this is "the" mute for me... or else a wood one http://balumusik.com/product/xl-red-mahogany-tuba-mute/" target="_blank

HELP... need advise!

George

This morning I have a lead on a great deal on a Dennis Wick 5518. So just trying to nail this down quickly. Does anybody use this mute in their Miraphone 186/188? And is it the right choice?

https://www.deniswick.com/product/strai ... -for-tuba/" target="_blank

I remember that Lee Stofer had some really neat mutes at the TUSAB conference that had some easy modification for size. I think they were some type of rubber, but I can't remember the name. Try to contact Lee: he will be able to give you a good answer.

Go with the Balu, great sound, great fit, you will not need anything else.

scottw wrote:I remember that Lee Stofer had some really neat mutes at the TUSAB conference that had some easy modification for size. I think they were some type of rubber, but I can't remember the name. Try to contact Lee: he will be able to give you a good answer.

Thank you. Those rubber mutes on Lee Stofer's website are practice mutes. I need a symphonic straight mute.

Northernlb wrote:Go with the Balu, great sound, great fit, you will not need anything else.

I contacted Ion Balu for sizing information. According to him, I need the "XL" for my 186/188. The used one on CL is a "regular" I don't want to just drop a couple hundred $$$ to find out that it swims in my bell.

Mark Finley wrote:I greatly prefer the sound of a metal mute. When you are playing in a muted section, it Blends so much better with the rest of the brass section.

Ya I get the point. Wood would be nice for a solo recital. But in the orchestra, the trumpets and tbones with aluminum (or even fiber stonelined) might just obliviate my sound through a wood mute.

The balu works in a different way from a traditional metal mute, I would try one out to see if it produces the sound you want. When I use it with my orchestra I do not get overpowered, that was never even a concern for me. The sound is consistent at all dynamic levels and through all ranges of the tuba. In the end it all depends what sound you have in your head that you want out of your tuba.

Northernlb wrote:The balu works in a different way from a traditional metal mute, I would try one out to see if it produces the sound you want. When I use it with my orchestra I do not get overpowered, that was never even a concern for me. The sound is consistent at all dynamic levels and through all ranges of the tuba. In the end it all depends what sound you have in your head that you want out of your tuba.

The sound I want is full, resonant, and sonorous. I do not want metalic "blat"

That is why I went with the Balu mute.

The Ion Balu tuba mute is the winner!

geomiklas wrote:The Ion Balu tuba mute is the winner!

And I absolutely LOVE the Ion Balu wooden tuba mute !!!!
It sounds great AND it is much lighter than it looks like in the pictures.

This may be of help - Chris Olka mute hacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wk2k4aTjK0" target="_blank

tubapix wrote:This may be of help - Chris Olka mute hacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wk2k4aTjK0" target="_blank" target="_blank

I have previously viewed Chris Olka's video and he is surely right on.

The Ion Balu mute is unique with cork attachment via velcro. The mute comes complete with three sets of corks (all different sizes) so the mute can be precisely placed in the bell. Phenomenal and state of the art idea!

H&B aluiminum