helleberg questions
-
ArnoldGottlieb
- 4 valves

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- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:33 pm
- Location: Charleston, SC
helleberg questions
Okay, so i'm playing a kellyberg and I'm looking for opinions on helleberg mpcs.
I like the articulation compared to my pt48 but the intonation is not what I'm used to. Any suggestions for a great helleberg mpc.
Thanks.
ASG
I like the articulation compared to my pt48 but the intonation is not what I'm used to. Any suggestions for a great helleberg mpc.
Thanks.
ASG
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- brianggilbert
- bugler

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I play on the R&S Helleberg II (I think the model is TUHHII), and even though it's goofy looking as all get out, it really has helped my clarity and focus of sound. I'm not certain that the results would be THAT much different than a traditional Helleberg (mine corresponds to the 7B), but I'd like to think the extra mass helps darken my tone and center my sound a bit more.
I think over the years the trends have been back and forth - heavy to extremely light pieces, nylon rims...who really knows? I guess you have to play a bunch and find the one you sound best on (bring your teacher or a trusted set of ears with you).
I think over the years the trends have been back and forth - heavy to extremely light pieces, nylon rims...who really knows? I guess you have to play a bunch and find the one you sound best on (bring your teacher or a trusted set of ears with you).
Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band
Aldersgate Brass
Besson 982
Mouthpieces-a-Plenty
Aldersgate Brass
Besson 982
Mouthpieces-a-Plenty
-
Tubanese
- bugler

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- J.c. Sherman
- 6 valves

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I just bought a Faxx Helleburg, just to try it out. It's great - helleburg feel, but with a more comfotable Bach-style rim and the extra mass of a Bach-style blank. I'm gonna keep working with it, but my initial impression is that it's a fabulous value!
J.c.S.
J.c.S.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
- The Jackson
- 5 valves

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-
RRW
- bugler

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- Tubaryan12
- 6 valves

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- The Jackson
- 5 valves

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Ah, thank you! I might see this piece in my future come time to march again.Tubaryan12 wrote:32.50mm I.D., standard shank. It looks like a Bach 18 on the outside, but all of the internal measurements are very close to a standard Conn Helleberg.The Jackson wrote:Can someone give me the inner rim diameter of a Faxx Berg? The shank size would be helpful, too
- SplatterTone
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1906
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Even though rim width and internal dimensions seem close to the Conn, I get a livelier, fuller tone out of the Faxx. Something about it, but don't know what it is.It looks like a Bach 18 on the outside, but all of the internal measurements are very close to a standard Conn Helleberg.
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- J.c. Sherman
- 6 valves

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Both feel and fit to me like a Bach 12.
J.c.S.
J.c.S.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
- Tubaryan12
- 6 valves

- Posts: 2106
- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 7:49 am
it's the extra mass.SplatterTone wrote:Even though rim width and internal dimensions seem close to the Conn, I get a livelier, fuller tone out of the Faxx. Something about it, but don't know what it is.It looks like a Bach 18 on the outside, but all of the internal measurements are very close to a standard Conn Helleberg.
- ken k
- 6 valves

- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:02 pm
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I have been fooling around with a few different mouthpieces lately but I keep coming back to my plain Jane Conn Helleberg.
I had a Sidey SSH, which is a beautiful piece but is a bit larger than the Conn and the larger size and rim contour seemed to effect my endurance, so I went back home. Just got a SS Kellyberg. It seems to be a bit tighter than my Conn, which surprised me because my plastic kellyberg does not feel smaller. So if you want a SS Kelly mine will be for sale.
I have the R&S TUHHII heavyweight, which is larger than the Conn also. This thing is so heavy that i feel it makes my horn (Eb Boosey & Hawkes Imperial, which already is a tank) too dark and the artix too covered. Great low range though, like butter.
So i know there are many Helleberg type mouthpieces out there by Finn, Perantucci and Laskey and others, but why not try a Conn as a starting point to compare them all to. For around $50 (or cheaper used here on tubenet, which is where I bought mine) you can get a quality piece. I sort of feel like it is one of those standard mouthpeices everyone should have in their arsenal. I have a few that I loan out to students to try, when I feel their embouchures are developed enough to handle them.
ken k
I had a Sidey SSH, which is a beautiful piece but is a bit larger than the Conn and the larger size and rim contour seemed to effect my endurance, so I went back home. Just got a SS Kellyberg. It seems to be a bit tighter than my Conn, which surprised me because my plastic kellyberg does not feel smaller. So if you want a SS Kelly mine will be for sale.
I have the R&S TUHHII heavyweight, which is larger than the Conn also. This thing is so heavy that i feel it makes my horn (Eb Boosey & Hawkes Imperial, which already is a tank) too dark and the artix too covered. Great low range though, like butter.
So i know there are many Helleberg type mouthpieces out there by Finn, Perantucci and Laskey and others, but why not try a Conn as a starting point to compare them all to. For around $50 (or cheaper used here on tubenet, which is where I bought mine) you can get a quality piece. I sort of feel like it is one of those standard mouthpeices everyone should have in their arsenal. I have a few that I loan out to students to try, when I feel their embouchures are developed enough to handle them.
ken k
B&H imperial E flat tuba
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
- The Jackson
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1652
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:34 pm
- Location: Miami, FL
I think the 120S is the step-up mouthpiece, if not the best first piece. I'd only give a physically small player something like a 24AW simply because their mouthpiece is smaller.
The 120S gave me great direction in where I wanted in a mouthpiece. It was a great step forward, but not the best once I tried others [namely my old teacher's PT-48].
The 120S gave me great direction in where I wanted in a mouthpiece. It was a great step forward, but not the best once I tried others [namely my old teacher's PT-48].