Gold vs. Silver vs. Stainless

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 8:59 pm

I am intrested to know the real differences between Gold plated, silver, and stainless. mouthpieces I have all 3 types but I cant really compare them because they are all of different mfg. (Just a curious high schooler wanting to know)

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:14 am

Since my arrival in Vietnam, I use nothing but chopsticks.

Oh, you mean my tubas. They are all lacquered brass. That wasn't one of the choices.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:03 am

Oh, I misread. I have one mouthpiece of gold, one of silver plate, and one plastic one. I usually use my silver plated Helleberg.

Oh, and remember this: If your silver mouthpiece loses its plating, DON'T USE IT. IT IS HIGHLY TOXIC. IT CAN CAUSE WELTS AND MAKE YOU SICK.

Harriet Carter sometimes sells a home gold plating kit in her catalog. I don't see it online.

http://www.harrietcarter.com/

oldbandnerd · Post by **oldbandnerd** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:46 am

I own and use only one mouthpiece . It is stainless .

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:09 am

Well since I use a DE mpc, the rim is gold, cup is silver and shank is raw brass (voted gold because I think you're really wanting to know the rim finish

)

Tabor · Post by **Tabor** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:56 am

My wife bought me an Alan Baer stainless mouthpiece for Christmas and had me open it before a Christmas eve gig. I used it during the rehearsal and performance and think it will now be my main mouthpiece. I don't know if it is more design or material, but it is a really solid, comfortable mouthpiece and I really like it. The horn player in my brass group (who also plays tuba) commented that the sound was very nice and clear.

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:35 pm

I have, and have used regularly at one time or another, at least one of each. They have their place and it all comes down to my preference at the time.

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:31 pm

LoyalTubist wrote:Oh, I misread. I have one mouthpiece of gold, one of silver plate, and one plastic one. I usually use my silver plated Helleberg.

Oh, and remember this: If your silver mouthpiece loses its plating, DON'T USE IT. IT IS HIGHLY TOXIC. IT CAN CAUSE WELTS AND MAKE YOU SICK.

Harriet Carter sometimes sells a home gold plating kit in her catalog. I don't see it online.

http://www.harrietcarter.com/

well I better not use my silver miraphone C4 the silver on the rim is worn to the brass

tubaguy9 · Post by **tubaguy9** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:54 pm

I like stainless...I own 2 stainless steel mouthpieces. Reasons why I like them better:
1. Louder. I've tried my Stainless mouthpieces, right after using a silver plated Helleberg. The Stainless one was louder, and the way this was figured out, is that I was able to overblow the horn easier than with a silver mouthpiece.
2. Better articulation. I don't know why, but it just seems true.

bort · Post by **bort** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:19 am

Either silver or stainless...I think gold is too "slippery."

I use the G&W Baer mcp's. Also not sure how much of that has to do with the material, but I won't ask too many questions. I like it a lot.

For the G&W mpc's, the question is: stainless or titanium? Well, actually that's easy for me...I don't have $300+ to spend on a mpc...

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:31 am

I don't know if anyone has done a scientific study to verify some of the claims made here, I think if the mouthpiece works for you, great. In my experience, gold is a little more slippery than silver. I've never played on a stainless steel mouthpiece, so I can't say what they're like.
To me, it's more important to find a mouthpiece that suits the intonation of the horn, and gets you closer to the sound you want to hear from your playing.

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:29 pm

I voted silver, 'cause the bulk of the arsenal is silver plated, but lately, I'm enjoying a Mike Finn MF3H with the "Gold Chop" rim & cup. It seems very much like my all silver MF3H, but look "reel purty".

willbrett · Post by **willbrett** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:16 pm

I've been playing on Stainless for about two weeks now, and I've got to agree with tubaguy9... I really feel like I'm getting better articulations with it. I can't explain it. Love the feel, too! I don't see myself switching back to gold.

Enjoy!

-Brett

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Gold vs. Silver vs. Stainless

what do you use

Gold vs. Silver vs. Stainless