Stofer "Air Corps" Geib

[davidgilbreath]

I received my personalized Stofer "Air Corps" Geib about eight weeks ago and wanted to post some photos along with my take on it. I have preferred Geib versions because they give me more control over my sound. I overblow on funnel type mpc's and that bit of turbulence/resistance I get when playing a Geib reduces my tendency to blast, irrespective of valve type. Jeopardymaster and Jim Perry know that from our time at UK.

My restored 1938 York 716 5/4 BBb and 1925 Conn (.734 bore) each have more core without using more air. Many times I am the lone tuba in my Sons of Jubal Brass (9-12 trumpets, 3-6 horns, 9-14 trombones, and 2-4 euphs) and there has been no complaint about lack of depth/color/presence from either of my beasts. The original Stofer-Geib was my "go to" mpc and this version is fantastic. I do use a Rudy 10 when walls and floors need to be shaken or when playing our arrangement of the Doxology. Both horns are used in all my groups.

Lee did the laser work on my SOJ one.

Unplated version

Finished version

Stock version

[bort]

I talked to Lee about this a while ago and forgot .. what's the main difference between this and the original Stofer Geib?

[bort]

PS, what a beauty!

[davidgilbreath]

From Lee's website:

" . . . the Air Corps mouthpiece has a slightly larger backbore, tapered to maximize air flow and give more core to the sound." He can give you the specifics.

[Lee Stofer]

The throat is larger than the Stofer Geib. The Original Geib design has a smaller throat, which can really help make "air hog" tubas more manageable, and I find that accuracy is easier for me with a smaller throat, and the accompanying slightly increased resistance.
That said, I have had enough people over the years desiring something like the Geib, but with a more open throat. That combination allows you to move more air, and provides less overtones, but more core to the sound. Being that air and core provided the perfect pretext for a play on words, that is how the mouthpiece became the Air Corps model, with me borrowing the 1943 logo of the US Army Air Corps.
I field-tested the mouthpiece last year, and received great reviews from fellow musicians when I used it with a large sousaphone for NOLA-style brass band outdoor playing. I also tried it in an orchestra setting, and found that it allows a 4/4 size tuba to sound larger than a 4/4 tuba.
My customer and buddy David Gilbreath likes the mouthpiece, because he likes to attempt to shake the Earth with his 1938 York, and be able to get "The Hand" at will. . .

[tylerferris1213]

Lee, is the larger backbore the only difference?