Practice Mute

[UTSAtuba]

Any recommendations for a practice mute to use in an apartment? I'm aware of Yamaha's Silent Brass system, so any advice/opinions on a silent, but useful practice mute would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Joseph

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Contact Lee Stofer, who carries the 'Schlipf' mutes, incl. the practice mute--Schlipf makes different sizes for different sized horns. They are not cheap.
Good luck.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[danzfat]

I own a Denis Wick practice mute that works very well. I can play ride of the Valkyries at the written dynamic while my roommates in my apartment sleep. It is a nice tool to have if your traveling, great in hotel rooms. One thing i have noticed is that using a practice mute is almost as intense as buzzing so you might want to increase resting time. If you don't want to spend the money half valving the pistons or rotors is pretty darn effective.

[djwesp]

I am having a problem deciding between mutes as well.

As the owner of a silent brass system, I have been extremely disappointed in it. I would like a quiet alternative and cannot decide between the Schlipf or the Denis Wick.

Anyone that has actually had a chance to play both of these mutes, I'd really appreciate your input!

[bisontuba]

Hi-
The Wick mute was actually made/designed to fit the Besson 19 bell Eb--unless you have a horn with a similar dimension, it won't work very well (I had one and it didn't work well on any of my horns). The Schlipf is more expensive. Lee Stofer can help on that. Hope that helps.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[djwesp]

Hi-
The Wick mute was actually made/designed to fit the Besson 19 bell Eb--unless you have a horn with a similar dimension, it won't work very well (I had one and it didn't work well on any of my horns). The Schlipf, while more expensive, is the best--provided you select the right model (size)-- for your horn. It works great for my equipment. Lee can help on that. Hope that helps.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

I know this may not be "kosher" in some people's book. Just how expensive are we talking? I see numerous posts boasting these as great mutes, but "expensive". What exactly is that relative to?

[Scott Sutherland]

I would like to recommend the Trumcor Stealth mute. Currently, my quintet is on tour and I have been practicing in hotel rooms on a regular basis without any complaints, even very late, which I was not able to do in the past.

Check out: https://www.trumcor.com/shop?product_ca ... Tuba+Mutes" target="_blank

[Thomas Maurice Booth]

I'll second what Scott said. I have a Trumcor Deluxe Stealth mute and couldn't be happier with the results. I have been able to practice in the bedroom next to our studio room while my girlfriend practices without any problems at all. The horn still plays freely and doesn't add the weight and bulk that the Silent Brass System does.

TMB

[Tom Gregory]

I've had or used the SB, Wick, Trumcor and Schlipf. The Schlipf is the best IMHO.

SB-impractical for travel. It's like carrying another tuba. I don't like in-ear earphones.

Wick and Trumcor are both excellent are also difficult for travel.

Shlipf fits in the bell and will go the case or bag. I also think it slots better than the Wick or Trumcor. This makes for less goofyness in your chops, when you take it out. I still own my Wick, which will become a strait mute but I sold my Trumcor.

In the past year I have done some work where I didn't want to do my obnoxious warm-up but still wanted to warm up well. Schlipf was great. YMMV.
TG

[bisontuba]

Hi-
If I remember, the Schlipf mutes run over $300. Again, contact Lee for sizes available, details, and price.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@juno.com" target="_blank

[UTSAtuba]

Thanks for all the responses!

The Schlipf mute sounds like it costs less than the Silent Brass system (which is within my budget), so that will probably be a good deal.

As always, all advice is still appreciated.

Joseph

[Tom]

Go with the Schlipf practice mute.

Living in a downtown condo, I use mine extensively on a daily basis. I've tried Yamaha's silent brass (what a pain!), Trumcor, and Denis Wick. Of those, the Wick was the clear winner, but the Schlipf mute is even better.


They are not cheap, but if you need to use a practice mute on a regular basis, they are the best you can buy. Many sizes are available to suit your specific application. Herr Schlipf personally verifies the sizes, so the mute you'll end up with will work right out of the box.

Schlipf practice mutes are the most open I could find. The volume level of the sound is cut down without being so stuffy that you feel like you're trying to blow bubbles in a bathtub full of mud.

A bonus is the compact size. The practice mutes from Schlipf only stck out of the bell a few inches, so they can offen fit into a case or gig bag with the horn. Try doing that with a Denis Wick!

Lee Stofer can get you fixed up with one. Be advised that they can take a while to get as Lee imports them directly from Herr Schlipf in Vienna who personally builds each mute.

[Tuba Guy]

My friend sold me a Trumcor practice mute for $100, and I like it a lot. It fits in all of my horns (that I've tried) from the little CB50 and York Eb (same bell) to the Martin (huge bell). I'm sure it would work in the Kaiser (though I have no intention of muting that horn)

[Toad Away]

For what it's worth:

After losing patience with the importer of
Schlipf mutes non-response to my emails,
I called up Matt at Dillon Music and he took the time
to discuss Trumcor vs. Wick practice mutes.
I took his advice and the Wick has arrived
(free shipping).
I find it very well in tune and not stuffy.
To me, it's an amazing piece of equipment and
a perfect fit for my CC.

FWIW,
Tim

[UTSAtuba]

Thanks for the info, Toad Away. I'm still "looking"

Joseph

[tubaerik]

I bought a Schlipf practice mute for my Sovereign Eb not too long ago. I contacted mr. Johann Schlipfinger directly and he chose the right size for me. The deal went really smoothly and I got my mute really fast.

I haven't tried many practice mutes but I feel that it makes some notes really off, intonation wise. The octave between the open Bbs becomes more of a major, or even minor, seventh. It actually plays more in tune on my B&S CC with a smaller bell, even if it doesn't fit in it, like it does on my Eb.

[Tom]

For what it's worth:

After losing patience with the importer of
Schlipf mutes non-response to my emails,
I called up Matt at Dillon Music and he took the time
to discuss Trumcor vs. Wick practice mutes.
I took his advice and the Wick has arrived
(free shipping).

If you really wanted your quetions answered about Schlipf mutes or wanted to actually buy a Schlipf mute and had your money all lined up, etc., you should have actually called the U.S. retailer of Schlipf mutes during regular business hours to order one instead of emailing, just as your did with Matt Walters at Dillon Music.

-Tom "had no issues with buying a Schlipf mute in the U.S. and is happy with his purchase"

[bort]

I have a Schlipf mute, and it's great. Easy to play with, and no complaints from my neighbors. And I think it helps me be a better player too, to focus exactly on the attacks of notes coming out of the bell. It's the only practice mute I've ever tried, so I can't make any comparisons.

Call Lee Stofer to get a price quote. From what I'm reading on here, I got a really good deal on mine, but it might have been an introductory deal -- something like he picked a few up from Herr Schlipf at TMEA or something, so it was among the first ones he sold here.

[UTSAtuba]

Hey Brett, thanks for chiming in on the Schlipf mutes. Does it really fit "right" into the bell? That would make things very convenient as far as travel goes. Thanks!

Joseph

[tubaerik]

Hey Brett, thanks for chiming in on the Schlipf mutes. Does it really fit "right" into the bell? That would make things very convenient as far as travel goes. Thanks!

Joseph

If you choose the right size it does. I can keep my mute in the bell with the case closed, so it is great for traveling.