A question about mouthpieces

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:56 am

So many mpcs, so little time (or money) . . . .

I've got about a dozen, but I've switched horns occasionally and have found the need to acquire a new mpc periodically to get better results for some of these. Best example was buying a PT-72 with my Besson 983 Eb -- really helped the low register response (not purchased for sound).

My vote is that two mpcs per tuba should be adequate -- a smaller/more flexible one, and a larger/"massive sound" choice. If you've got a contrabass tuba and a bass tuba, I bet you could live with 4 total, very easily. With luck the "small" contrabass mpc would be the same as the "big" bass tuba mpc, and you'd only have 3. But since those cool "mpc roll" zip-up mpc cases from WWBW have slots for 4 mpcs, you may as well stick with 4.

For me, I suspect:

YEB-381: Schilke Helleberg (the small one) / Conn Helleberg (the big one)
Conn 56J: Conn Helleberg (the big one) / something "massive" (not yet determined -- hopefully something I already own!)

Steve "Fantastic 4 -- er 3" Inman
Kokomo, IN

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:56 am

I find the mouthpiece that gives me the sound and response I want from each tuba that I own. In other words, I use one mouthpiece with each tuba. If I am unhappy with some characteristic of how a particular mouthpiece plays with a horn, I might go looking again (why think that practicing could make it work

), but I don't switch mouthpieces on any of my tubas for different sounds. For that I switch tubas.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:03 am

Having been more than happy with my Doug Elliott set up, I now just change shanks to accomodate the changes in mouthpipes on my older euphoniums.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk/neweuphs.htm

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 11:41 am

I'll agree that one or two per instrument will cover most needs, and probably any needs of the average player.

Gongadin · Post by **Gongadin** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:11 am

I bought an H.N. White Equa-Tru 26 to go with my vintage King horn, and now that I have a vintage Conn horn, I'm looking for an early Conn mouthpiece. I want to see how these horns play with their "original" mouthpieces.
The Conn came with a Getzen mouthpiece that works okay, too.