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A couple questions about tuba mutes:

I have a heavy wooden "traffic cone" silver thing that I picked up years ago. My horn is a miraphone 186. For some reason, all three cork ribs make really loud squeaking sounds when the mute is inserted or removed, and anytime I move the horn with the mute in. It didn't do this before. Something about the summer humidity? Anybody have this problem and suggest a remedy? I taped over the cork, which stopped the sqeaks, but now the damn thing flies out of the horn when I tip the bell to remove it.

Maybe I should just get another. Can anybody recommend a good mute for the Miraphone BBb 186?

A cheaper option than buying a new mute would be to buy some cork grease and try greasing the cork. A small amount will work just let it soak in before putting the mute in. Or if you really want to you can buy new cork and replace the cork in your mute. Both are infinitely less expensive than buying another mute.

Henry Gertcher