Schilke 66

[TUbajohn20J]

I'm not too familiar with Schilke's. So could someone help me out? This is a Schilke 66 old style I believe. I have seen another Schilke 66 that looks similar to a Helleberg on the outside. What is the difference in these two? (Dimensions). Also how does this compare to a Conn 2 or Conn 1? Thanks in advance

John

[Donn]

What is the difference in these two? (Dimensions). Also how does this compare to a Conn 2 or Conn 1?

Mine has the usual exterior shape. It's smaller than a Conn 2, doesn't seem quite as funnel shaped but plays similar. It's reasonably deep, a good all around mouthpiece that just happens to be on the small side. Since I don't have both shapes, can't say for sure, but I can't see Schilke calling it a 66 if it didn't have the same inside dimensions. Though I suppose you could look for slight differences in the rim.

[jmerring]

I own both a Schilke 66 and a 62. The difference is in name only, I believe. I bought a 66 in college (many years ago) and it was exactly the same as the current 62.

[Donn]

I own both a Schilke 66 and a 62. The difference is in name only, I believe. I bought a 66 in college (many years ago) and it was exactly the same as the current 62.

I have both, too, and they're different. The 62 is noticeably shallower than the 66, you can see that, feel it with your thumb, and it plays like a shallow mouthpiece too, most suited to a bass tuba. Deserves to be better known, as there aren't many such mouthpieces that have a more or less funnel shaped cup. The 66 is a straight up all around tuba mouthpiece.

Note that the question was about two different versions of the 66, which probably are the same but look different.

[jmerring]

I mis-stated something that has been pointed out to me. My new Schilke 62 is exactly the same as my 30 year old 66. I forgot to mention the time-line. The new 62 is almost identical to the Conn 2 that I have - neither one works well for me in contrabass tuba. The 66 is (as was pointed out) a good, all-around mouthpiece.

[Donn]

My new Schilke 62 is exactly the same as my 30 year old 66. I forgot to mention the time-line. The new 62 is almost identical to the Conn 2 that I have - neither one works well for me in contrabass tuba.

I don't know, that's pretty weird. I don't know how old mine is - not the original owner - but my 62 and 66 appear to match the specifications currently published for them. I wouldn't say either of them are identical to a Conn 2 - the Schilke cup diameter seems a little smaller - but the 66 is much closer, both in appearance and how it plays.