Kellyberg, Helleberg question...

kegmcnabb · Post by **kegmcnabb** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:54 am

Just wondering who has used the Kellyberg mouthpieces and how they compare to the originals. I am more interested in the spec and feel comparisons than sound comparisons. I have been using a Bach 18 on my Marzan 4p BBb but it seemed quite stuffy. Switching to the Marzan mp that came with the horn(visually resembles a Helleberg) really opened it up but that mouthpiece has a damaged shank. Because it resembles a Helleberg I though I might try one and the Kellyberg seems like the most economical way to give it a shot. If it seems to work I would then invest in a metal version. Anyone have any ideas about this? If it does seem to improve situation does anyone have any input on which of the many Helleberg copies/clones are best?

Perhaps I should just get someone to copy the Marzan. Thanks in advance for any input.

Craig
Craig@sonicabsurdities.com
www.sonicabsurdities.com

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:06 pm

bloke wrote: ...If you get one, you might want to look at the rim face in the light and go over it very carefully with some 1500 grit sandpaper...

Joe's suggestion to lightly sand the face of the plastic mouthpieces is a valid point. I've been alternating a Kellyburg, a Kelly Bach 18 copy, a Conn-Helleberg 7B, and a Conn-Helleberg on my GDR stencil 4V rotary. The metal mouthpieces seem to project better but one thing's for certain.... the plastic ones are really slippery! I've also tried the Kelly Bach 25 copy but it does not work well (for me) with my larger BBb horns. The plastic MP's are a great way to try different styles 'on the cheap' and for cold/hot weather playing but I still prefer the metal MP's. On the other hand... it may just be a matter of 'adjusting my chops'. The rim-sanding might help.

Doug@GT · Post by **Doug@GT** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:47 pm

The metal mouthpieces seem to project better but one thing's for certain.... the plastic ones are really slippery!

Amazing. the one I tried stuck to my face like nobody's business. I guess faces are different.

Joes suggestion about the sandpaper is valid AFTER you try the thing yourself.

Daryl Fletcher · Post by **Daryl Fletcher** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:54 pm

bloke wrote: The Kellyberg, because the material, will probably "feel" narrower than it is because it is so comfortable. It is a good Helleberg - not my personal favorite...but who am I?...

I've been using a Kellyberg exclusively since some time around April. I've noticed better low range and a more open sound than with other Helleberg type mouthpieces (such as a Shilke 66). I think it's because it's actually just a bit larger. As Bloke points out, it feels narrow and very comfortable. I have no problem with volume.

I haven't really felt the need use sandpaper or do anything else to change it. The feel is a bit different from metal, but I got used to it after a couple of weeks. Now, going back to metal would probably seem strange to me for a while.

I have three different colors, Mellow Yellow, Strawberries and Cream (from the two-for-one deal they had going on around Easter), and Harvest Gold. If I'm out playing somewhere, I tend to use Harvest Gold most often, since out of the three it looks the most like a metal mouthpiece. All three play the same.

I also like that I can give my two-year-old son an extra tuba mouthpiece to play with and not worry about him dropping it. He prefers Mellow Yellow, and can actually get a pretty decent buzz out of it (even with the tuba!). For a kid who thinks that everything ought to be a group activity, this is very convenient.

DonShirer · Post by **DonShirer** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:31 pm

There was a previous Kellyberg thread a few weeks ago you may want to consult.

I purchased a clear Kellyberg last month and have been using it for about 75% of my playing so far. I also think it gives me better range, and feels comfortable, although rim is thin. I do find myself (ahem) "self-lubricating" it a bit more often than a metal mouthpiece, but that may be a personal quirk.

Don S.

Daryl Fletcher · Post by **Daryl Fletcher** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:16 am

JohnH wrote: ...the Kellyburg doesn't feed back vibrations from the horn like the metal does. In fact I never realized how much vibration I was getting back from the horn until I tried the Kellyburg.

I think that's true. I'm only speaking for myself, but I don't necessarily consider it to be a bad thing. It probably takes more getting used to than anything else about them.

Daryl Fletcher · Post by **Daryl Fletcher** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:04 pm

bloke wrote:.I've just noticed that with the Kellybergs their are consistent "wave" marks in the embouchure face of the mouthpiece - around 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock...possibly formed when they leave the mold or when their cooling off

If you tilt your mouthpiece up into the light (particularly the colored/translucent ones) you can see them.

I'll try that.

What I have noticed is that there are a couple of small lines in the coloring of the Harvest Gold mouthpiece that I don't see in my other two. If you look closely, you can even see them in the picture they show on their web site. I wonder if the molding or coloring process has something to do with that.

Not a big deal, but it is interesting.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:34 am

Daryl Fletcher wrote:What I have noticed is that there are a couple of small lines in the coloring of the Harvest Gold mouthpiece that I don't see in my other two.

That's an indication of how the plastic has flowed into the mold. The gold flakes, as much as they try, aren't going to be evenly distributed, and those patterns are the result.

Bloke is talking about surface irregularities, which I was assuming come from simply not filling every possible bit of space in the mold.

I'm going to try to have them make a copy of a PT-50, which would give a good, direct comparison with my "default" mouthpiece.

me · Post by me » Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:31 pm

i'd be very interested in a pt 50 copy from kelly mouthpieces. have you been talking to someone about it yet, or is this just an idea. [/quote]

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:49 pm

I'm going to see them in Denver tomorrow, and I'll ask again about it.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:47 pm

me wrote:i'd be very interested in a pt 50 copy from kelly mouthpieces.

viewtopic.php?p=16700#16700

kegmcnabb · Post by **kegmcnabb** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 10:40 pm

Well,

After reading everyone's responses I ordered a Kellyberg (actually two for one on their website - black and white). I gotta say that I love them. As posted earlier my Bach 18 made my Marzan 4p BBb seem really stuffy and the Kellyberg really helped to open it up. The sound is incredibly smooth and satisfying (hmmm, that kinda sounds like an old cigarette ad) but I have to admit that given the success of this little experiment I now want to try a metal version. What current Helleberg models from different manufacturers do Tubeneters prefer...the Conn, or any of the other various makes? I have read good things on this BB on the R&S Heavywall Helleberg, but I have also read fairly negative things on Jet-Tone mouthpieces in general. What say all of you?

Craig McClelland
Craig@sonicabsurdities.com
www.sonicabsurdities.com