Unknown Mouthpiece Dimensions
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tubaguy9
- 4 valves
- Posts: 943
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: I pitty da foo!
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Re: Unknown Mouthpiece Dimensions
Either use calipers...or micrometers...or...
I think I might end up as a grumpy old man when I get old...
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bill
- 3 valves
- Posts: 317
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 5:30 pm
- Location: Scappoose, OR
Re: Unknown Mouthpiece Dimensions
Ben, I have one of those wonderful old A44's like yours and the results of playing with it are exactly like what you mention. I have never measured it (won't look a gift elephant in the tusk) but the one I have came with an F tuba called a "Piper" which is a Cerveny / Amati stencil. My A44 is a Euro shank and I have always assumed it was short for that reason (like it fit the Cerveny lead pipe correctly).
Get the caliper! For a medium for making an internal mold, you can use paraffin, if you know how to do it carefully. Block the bore with facial or toilet tissue and mold from either end. The paraffin should release easily, when solid, but if it sticks a little, put the mouthpiece in the freezer for a few minutes and the paraffin will contract slightly and release.
As for a pretty good chart of dimensions, look at http://www.dwerden.com/mouthpieces/tuba.cfm and you will not only find your mouthpiece, listed by brand but can find all similar mouthpieces by clicking on "Rim."
Get the caliper! For a medium for making an internal mold, you can use paraffin, if you know how to do it carefully. Block the bore with facial or toilet tissue and mold from either end. The paraffin should release easily, when solid, but if it sticks a little, put the mouthpiece in the freezer for a few minutes and the paraffin will contract slightly and release.
As for a pretty good chart of dimensions, look at http://www.dwerden.com/mouthpieces/tuba.cfm and you will not only find your mouthpiece, listed by brand but can find all similar mouthpieces by clicking on "Rim."
Always make a good sound; audiences will forget if you miss a note but making a good sound will get you the next job.
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cjk
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:16 pm
Re: Unknown Mouthpiece Dimensions
I use a set of machinist's drill bits to measure mouthpiece throat sizes. My set contains both letter and fractional (inches) drill bits. I bought mine from Harbor Freight. I recall that they cost me around $50.
The letter bits M through T and the fractional bits 19/64", 5/16", and 21/64" are the useful ones for measuring tuba mouthpieces.
To give you some idea, here's a drill bit chart:
http://bobmay.astronomy.net/misc/drillchart.htm" target="_blank
They've paid for themselves several times around the house. The set has been significantly more useful than your typical hardware store "fractional only" set of drill bits. If you go to http://www.harborfreightusa.com" target="_blank, and search by item number for 1611, that's pretty much what I have.
While it might not be relevant to this topic, Laskey actually shows you what letter drill is bit used for the throats of their tuba mouthpieces. I've found this to be useful.
http://www.laskey.com/Tuba%20Line.html" target="_blank
The 30H and 30G use a "P" drill bit (throat size is .323" / ("P") / 8,204mm).
--Christian
The letter bits M through T and the fractional bits 19/64", 5/16", and 21/64" are the useful ones for measuring tuba mouthpieces.
To give you some idea, here's a drill bit chart:
http://bobmay.astronomy.net/misc/drillchart.htm" target="_blank
They've paid for themselves several times around the house. The set has been significantly more useful than your typical hardware store "fractional only" set of drill bits. If you go to http://www.harborfreightusa.com" target="_blank, and search by item number for 1611, that's pretty much what I have.
While it might not be relevant to this topic, Laskey actually shows you what letter drill is bit used for the throats of their tuba mouthpieces. I've found this to be useful.
http://www.laskey.com/Tuba%20Line.html" target="_blank
The 30H and 30G use a "P" drill bit (throat size is .323" / ("P") / 8,204mm).
--Christian