Want to try a couple of practice mutes

[jlbreyer]

I think I'm in the market for a practice mute. I've been advised to look at the Denis Wick and the Humes and Berg. I'd like to try them out before I buy one, but I haven't been able to find samples. I live northwest of Boston, MA. Can any of you fine people ( ) point me to someplace in Eastern Mass where I could get some face time? TIA jlb

[Toad Away]

My experience (for what it's worth):

The Humes & Berg has all the playing characteristics
of shoving a pillow down your bell.

The Wick (from Dillon Music) works very well
for me

[jlbreyer]

Well, that sounds like useful advice. I'd still like to try them both. Afterall -- YMMV
jlb

[Tom Gregory]

I have a Wick and it is very good. I also have Schlipf which is awesome. I can't say enough good things about it.
I've tried the H&B. It didn't do anything for me.
Tom Gregory
instructor of tuba/music theory
Rhode Island College

[bort]

I'll second the Schlipf!

[imperialbari]

I guess the Schlipf is good, but I didn’t go there. The design is very specific for each size of bell. Mr. Schlipf annoyed med by being non-flexible about the pricing in a combined deal unless I claimed being a poor student. Hence I went with

http://www.mikemcleanmutes.co.uk/range/4pc_tub1.htm

I have the Eb Sovereign size which also fits my 3 other British tubas in F, Eb, and BBb. Further this modular, well packable, mute comes with a tip turning it into a straight mute of the brighter, yet not metallic, kind. I knew it it could fit in the bell, but still I was most surprised by the small parcel, when it arrived.

Klaus