I believe the Kellyberg is modeled after the 120-S. It has that deeper cup the 7B does not.
"120" and "7B" are just model names using Conn's mouthpiece naming system. I don't know exactly how that system works, but other mouthpiece makers have systems that can describe the mouthpiece with its model number.
the kellyberg is close to the larger Conn (120) but it is not quite the same. Perhaps it is modeled after one of the Shilke hellebergs? i do not know since I am not familiar with the Shilke. The rim is not as flat as the Conn and the Kellyberg plays a little "tighter" than the Conn, but it is very close. It is definitely larger than the 7B as jackson has stated.
ken k
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Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
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I know Mr. Kelly a little bit and am certain he'd be glad to hear from any of you. I've linked the contact page (there is also a spec page on their site if you are interested)
Kelly is very up front that his mouthpieces are not "copies" of the mouthpieces they emulate, due to the differences in response of lexan verses metal. They alter specifications as necessary to get their mouthpieces to approach the tonality and response of the mouthpieces so emulated.
And they do a fine job on the Kelly 18 mouthpiece. The only quips I have about it is that a player should wrap the throat with golfer's lead tape to stabilize it at dynamic extremes, and depending on the instrument, it may not be as smooth through the registers as the conventional counterpart. But when I have to play outdoors in inclement weather, it is very beneficial to have one.
Terry Warburton makes tuba mouthpieces, at least he had about a dozen in the shop this summer.
The Arnold Jacobs "solo" mouthpiece has nothing to do with Arnold Jacobs or Helleberg. BrianF had a very complete post on this about a year ago.
So many Helleberg copies have been produced that you will go nuts tracking down all of the manufacturers, much less cataloging the differences. The real kick in the pants is that August Helleberg didn't make a single "Helleberg" mouthpiece; he tailored a "Helleberg" mouthpiece to fit each individual instrument.
Conn produced the mouthpiece referred to as the "original" Helleberg in the 1930's. The Conn Helleberg produced initially in the 1970's was much bigger than the "original" Helleberg. The Helleberg 7B was smaller that the 70's Helleberg but not close to the original Helleberg models. The Conn 120 may be the 7B... or not. I lost interest.
However, Conn continued to produce mouthpieces made on the original Helleberg mandrels for many decades. That is what the inside of the Conn 2 is, they just used a different blank for the outside of the mouthpiece.
Of course the original Helleberg is better. It has a six octave range.
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Original Helleberg's are all slightly different. You have the really early version, the 'H' mouthpieces that just say 'H' on the bowl and 'Conn BBbB' on the shank. See first pic below. Don Harry and I (and I think Matt Good too) have these and I know even Don's and mine are different. These produce a dark, organ like sound. The ones we see the most, the original Conn-Helleberg's (see second pic--they say in small letters on bowl 'Conn-Helleberg') are too all slightly different. There was a large version of these. Don has one of these, and it is a tremendous mouthpiece. I have never found one of these, but the 'hunt continues!' The one pictured here is of the smaller type, and these too are all slightly different, AND all play differently too. An original Helleberg is an original Helleberg is an original Helleberg is true but they all don't play the same (just all New York Bach trumpets are NY Bach's but some are good and some are great). That is what makes the 'hunt' fun--finding the one that plays the best for that particular instrument(s)--the one below is, as we jokingly refer to it up here, the 'God Helleberg'--an incredible sounding mouthpiece. Finally pictured in #3 is an original Conn-Geib (which says in tiny letters 'GEIB' on bowl and 'CONN' on shank) for viewing sake. All three pictured are wonderful. See the 'History of August C. Helleberg' website-link below- for more info on Helleberg . I hope I haven't confused you, but some people think all original Helleberg's are alike--NOT! Some are OK, others tremendous.
Alex C wrote:
Of course the original Helleberg is better. It has a six octave range.
Your entire post had interesting, and, as far as I know, accurate information. I remember Brian's post, too. He was rather emphatic in stating how Jacobs had nothing to do with that named mouthpiece. However, the most important part of your post, I have quoted in my post. Thanks for including it. I was surprised that you failed to remember that the original Helleberg would play itself. Didn't you think this was important to note?
I was surprised that you failed to remember that the original Helleberg would play itself. Didn't you think this was important to note?