Helicon mouthpiece

[windshieldbug]

I don't think that there's any consus between manufacturers OR players as to whether Eb or EEb is correct. Either way, the horn is pitched in Eb, so that's what I use.

Helicons are usually from around of the 20th century, and although I'm not familiar with that maker, here's what works with the ones I have:

Generally the bore is much smaller than we use today, so a large Euphonium mouthpiece is just about right for the size of what they used. Unfortunately, as you've noticed, the shank is a bunch smaller, so you need to shim it somehow.They may have used smaller cups, but the receiver size was just about modern North American size.

What you might do is try a modern bass trombone mouthpiece that has a bass trombone shank; maybe you can borrow one from someone for a short time to see if it works. Believe it or not, when they started making tubas 150 years ago, that was about the right size. And if your ears tell you you're going in the right dirsction, you probably are.

If you could post a picture of the horn, that would help, too.

[Donn]

Pictures would be wonderful - don't worry about the dents, we've all seen them before and in my opinion they just add character. If you haven't already, it's probaby worth a check to see if a normal tuba mouthpiece will fit - the shank will likely be too big, but even how much too big will be helpful. If it fits, then any small tuba mouthpiece will do. My Eb helicon came with a ridiculously small large shank tuba mouthpiece, but the smallest modern Western mouthpieces these days are just a little smaller than normal, maybe 30mm inside, and they'll give you a nice deep sound.

I think I have a large shank euphonium mouthpiece with roughly the same size shank as a bass trombone. Maybe that means you can take that route and get a deeper, more conical cup than you'd get with a bass trombone mouthpiece.

The other way to go is a small shank tuba mouthpiece, which of course will improve the low end, at the expense of the high end. The only reliable mail order option I know of is the Denis Wick non-L, i.e., DW 5 instead of 5L. They're roughly the same bass trombone shank size, and they're fine mouthpieces, particularly the 5. Antique mouthpieces from on-line auctions or other such uncertain sources may also be small shank, especially if they say they're Eb mouthpieces. It's probably worth a few C$ to get a real tuba mouthpiece if this tuba looks like a player (modern pitch etc.), but you may end up playing it with the bass trombone/euphonium mouthpiece anyway - whatever sounds good, it's just that without some time to get used to a tuba mouthpiece, you'll never know what it could do.

[iiipopes]

I concur with using a Wick 3, 4 or 5, depending on the bore and your embouchure. I must disagree, however, on the importance of the shank. Even though similar, a small tuba shank and a bass trombone shank are different sizes, albeit only a small difference, but that may make a difference in intonation. Since the tuba shank is usually marginally larger, if there is any wear in the receiver, the tuba mouthpiece is desirable.

If you want a larger tone, I personally use a Wick 2 when I play Eb, as it is similar to a Bach 18, but marginally smaller, depending on what era 18 you have, and I use a Wick 1 on my Besson BBb. The Wick 3 does have a larger throat, which may help if you play outdoors.

[Dan Schultz]

Interesting looking helicon! It's probably pitched in the key of Eb but I'm not so sure the valving is like our modern tubas. The #2 valve circuit looks waaaay too long for the rest of the horn.

[windshieldbug]

From the valve slide lengthof the first and second valves, it looks to me like it might even be a BBb, even though it has that trademark Eb loop. You might try the open overtone series with your baritone, and then the tuba, and see if its close (but an octave off). It you can get a tuner, that would work, too.

Early tuba mouthpieces had a smaller shank than modern ones.

The mouthpiece that was in it may be original. They've obviously learned a bit about mouthpiece making in 125 years. If that's a Besson adapter on your baritone mouthpiece, than that may be fine. A bigger trombone/euphonium mouthpiece will work great with the adapter. A real Bass trombone mouthpiece will most likely work, too.

[Kenton]

I don't think that there's any consus between manufacturers OR players as to whether Eb or EEb is correct. Either way, the horn is pitched in Eb, so that's what I use.

I agree both that there is no consensus, and that Eb is what should be used. I believe that the reason that BBb became the convention was because there WAS a Bb bass - back in brass band (saxhorn) days. And, the BBb clarified what horn was being talked of. The larger Eb bass saxhorn was referred to as Eb and it is the grandparent of the Eb tuba. So, it seems like the naming convention should stay consistent.

F tubas got it right. I'll let someone else fight about the CC's!

[jacobg]

hey check out this thread.

viewtopic.php?t=14567&start=12

I ended up buying a new Chinese made Wick clone from this guy

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrp ... pectone888

It's got the right size shank, it's bigger than a bass bone mouthpiece, and it plays fine.

[MichaelDenney]

Annie,
Just out of curiosity what are the bore (inside diameter of the 2nd valve slide is customary) and bell sizes on your helicon?

Michael "who has periodic attacks of helicon envy" Denney

[iiipopes]

Let's see: both are large, people tend to dismiss them both to the back, people have been known to be exiled to the barn to practice....

[Tubatoad]

What is it with barns and tubas?

Sometimes the novice can sound like a lovesick bovine

[DBCooper]

What is it with barns and tubas?

Well, its tough to keep a tuba in your closet (with anything else... )

[iiipopes]

The bore inside the second valve slide is 5/8".

What is it with barns and tubas?

What is it with tubas being turned into lampshades?

...or fountains, or flower planters, or (hi, bloke!) mailboxes....