Wooden mouthpieces

[Captain Sousie]

Last tuba christmas that I played there was a guy from utah selling mouthpieces made out of wood. Have any of you gurus played on these and if so what did you think.

I sort of liked them. I would never play a pro gig on one but I did like the sound. The only downside was that the shank got a little soft after playing for about a half an hour.

Lastly, does anyone know where to find one for not too huge a sum of cash?

Thanks,
Sousie

[Leland]

There is/was another manufacturer that made the cup wood (even offered different choices of wood) and the shank metal.

It's been a few years since I tried to find them, though.

[Chuck(G)]

I don't know if he still makes tuba mouthpieces, but the guy you're looking for is Maurice Benterfa:

http://members.aol.com/benterfa/

[Leland]

Yup, that's the one.

I don't remember any specifics about tuba mouthpieces either.

[Carroll]

I bought one from WW&BW many years ago, on a lark. The sound is O.K. but I really did not care for the mouth feel. It made me think of playing a reeded instrument. I did not have any experience with expanding or rotting of the wood. I still pull the mouthpiece out periodically for the "show-off" factor.

[Chuck(G)]

I was wondering: Would the wooden mouthpiece rot? Would it start expanding with all the moisture and warmth of breath? The wood cup/metal shank makes sense, but how do they do it? This wooden mouthpiece concept is quite new to me.
RA

As I understand the web site, the Benterfa mouthpieces are made of tropical hardwoods which tend to be pretty hard and dense (they make clarinets out of the stuff). It wouldn't surprise me if they also sealed them with some sort of varnish. And I imagine that the shank screws into a threaded metal insert.

Just guessin', but that's the way I'd do it if I were going to turn a bunch of these out.

Believe it or not, I think Kanstul also makes wood mouthpieces....

[Tom]

I have a Benterfa Wood Tuba Mouthpiece made out of (I believe) Ebony and the wooden canister that has the Bentarfa Logo "woodburned" into it that came with it.

The mouthpiece is extremely well made and very comfortable to play on. Mine is similar to a Bach 18. The shank is silver plated brass and threads into a small brass "ring" at the end of the cup (think Doug Elliott screw shanks).

The mouthpiece has the potential to be used on a daily basis, but I bought it as more of an oddity and "collector's item" than anything. Mine isn't for sale, btw, as it is a nice addition to my oddball collection of "novelty" mouthpieces that ranges from vintage Conn Hellebergs to a Bentarfa wood mouthpiece to an adjustable cup model.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Last tuba christmas that I played there was a guy from utah selling mouthpieces made out of wood. Have any of you gurus played on these and if so what did you think.

I bought one from him 2 years ago at the TubaChristmas in Kalamazoo, and mine's still in good shape. He did mention that it should be oiled periodically (once a year or so), not unlike an oboe or clarinet (mine's made of rosewood).

The cup I.D. is around 30mm (same as a Bach 30E), but the depth's about 40 mm (the Bach's depth is about 30mm). It works well, is comfortable, and has a very mellow sound. I have used it for performances where that sound is appropriate (it blends well with woodwinds, as you might expect).

The shank has held up well. I have been careful with it, of course (no sideways impacts while it's in the horn, for example -- wouldn't want to have to pick splinters out of the leadpipe).

I keep mine in a cloth (ProTec) mouthpiece pouch, so it can breathe -- a plastic pouch *might* hold in enough moisture after playing that rotting could become a problem. Ask your reed-playing friends and/or acquaintances about storing wet reeds (especially double reeds) in sealed plastic containers -- you'll likely hear some real horror stories about the stuff that grows in that kind of environment.

Hope this helps!

[Kevin Hendrick]

I still pull the mouthpiece out periodically for the "show-off" factor.

It is a "conversation 'piece", isn't it?

[Dylan King]

I don't want any splinters in my chops.