Kelly Mouthpieces

[MartyNeilan]

FWIW, I really, really like the stainless steel kellyberg. The regular kellyberg is "good" but taking their well-thought-out design and making it in stainless is just that much better.

[Kevin Hendrick]

I bought a lexan Kellyberg over 6 years ago, and it quickly became (and remains) my default mouthpiece (much to my surprise -- had intended to use it just for outdoor winter gigs). It's comfortable, never freezing cold (or scalding hot), fits my face well, works well. I've used it in concert bands, German band, brass quintets, and a "student & community" orchestra, all with good results (and no complaints from audiences or colleages about the sound). Used it for Petruchka last November, and will be using it in a few weeks for Tchaik 6 & Rimsky-Korsakov "Antar" -- was experimenting with other 'pieces for the Tchaik, but the Kelly just all-around works better (for me). Now if only they'd make a 30E ...

[Kevin Hendrick]

I have a KT-50 and a PT-50. I don't use either one of them very much but keep the KT-50 in my bag for those times when I want a plastic MP. I usually use a gold PT-48+.

I've not given much thought to how reliable the KT-50 copy is to the 'real thing'. But in light of this post.... I picked them and my calipers up and found them to be remarkably close.... as close as one can measure with regard to radiused edges.

Outside of rim... KT-50 - 1.906"..... PT-50 - 1.906"
Inside of rim... KT-50 - 1.320"..... PT-50 - 1.320"
Bowl depth... KT-50 - 1.58"..... PT-50 - 1.58
Inside shank at bottom... KT-50 - .46"..... PT-50 - .47"

Thank you! I've been wondering about those dimensions -- looks like it's enough bigger than the K'berg to be worth having both. Much appreciated.

[cjk]

I have a glow in the dark Kellyberg because it glows in the dark. The kids are always impressed by this one.

I also have a crystal clear Kellyberg which I let my 2 year old play with. It is perfect for this purpose.

I also have a KT-50 which I received in a trade. I keep it in the glove box of my car as an emergency spare. I have occasionally used it to warm up in the car. However, I've never forgotten my mouthpiece, so I've not done much other than fool around with the KT-50. I would have no problem using it if I were to ever forget the usual mouthpiece.

Having lived in the southern United States most of my life, I've yet to actually run into a situation where it's been too cold or too hot for my normal metal mouthpiece. Even if I did, I think I'd have to try using my normal mouthpiece with the Lexan rim first.

I think the Kellyberg is quite decent and extremely good value for what it is, but I don't use it. I have to confess that I have zero interest in any of the other tuba models as I've never been an "18" or "24AW" person. I'm more of a "13" kinda guy.

[Bill Troiano]

As cool as a Kelly glow in the dark mouthpiece might be, when does one play in the dark? I know I'm asking for it!

[fairweathertuba]

What's the deal with the KT 50 being twice the price of the other tuba pieces?

[tubatom91]

What's the deal with the KT 50 being twice the price of the other tuba pieces?

It plays twice as well as the others, hence the price

[normrowe]

Just got my first Kelly mouthpieces today: Kellyberg for the tuba, 12C for the alto trombone, 1.5C for the soprano trombone. All clear. Surprisingly light. A little doodling on all of them brought slightly mixed initial impressions. I liked the two smaller ones. The Kellyberg felt okay, but didn't respond as well as anticipated in the low range (low F to pedal Bb) and seemed to lose pitch center on some high range notes that were much more solid on my ancient Bach 12. More time may clear some things up. Tempted to try one or two of their other models.

[SousaSaver]

Norm -

You may have better luck in the lower register with a different mouthpiece, like the 18. I have the Kelly 18 and the low notes honk out like a charm. I speak exclusively for myself here. Some one else may have a different experience.

[normrowe]

Norm -

You may have better luck in the lower register with a different mouthpiece, like the 18. I have the Kelly 18 and the low notes honk out like a charm. I speak exclusively for myself here. Some one else may have a different experience.

My Bach 18 didn't do as well with the low stuff as the 12 did, so that's why I went for the Kellyberg. It's in the same size range as the 12. Again, this was just from some quick doodling around. I'll give it more time before I give it a big thumbs up or down.

[Donn]

I also think the stainless version has a very slight advantage in projection, again this could be strictly related to "feel".

That's my theory - the effect of Lexan or other materials on sound is due to static friction at the lip interface. Or something like that.

I'm hoping someone who believes he or she can hear the difference, will test this hypothesis: try a brass mouthpiece before and after applying fingernail polish to the rim, for about the same feel as plastic. Fingernail polish can be applied however you like, but I think I did best when I dipped the rim in a ring of polish applied to a solid surface (e.g., glass.) Remove afterwards with acetone.

[toobagrowl]

Some people here were curious about a mouthpiece sound test between a Kelly and a comparable metal mouthpiece. Well I recently had a singer/violinist come listen with her back turned to me as I played a few random passages multiple times on both the lexan Kelly 18 and a metal Faxx 18 in my 1911 Holton Eb. As you know, the Kelly 18 and Faxx 18 are both close copies of the Bach 18 mouthpiece. The results? Both mouthpieces sounded and played very, very similar with the Faxx 18 having a slightly clearer, smoother tone. The Kelly 18 had a tiny bit more "fuzz" to the sound in comparison. There was maybe a 5% difference in sound between the two. Both are fine all-around mouthpieces that work well for most types of playing.

[peter birch]

Some people here were curious about a mouthpiece sound test between a Kelly and a comparable metal mouthpiece. Well I recently had a singer/violinist come listen with her back turned to me as I played a few random passages multiple times on both the lexan Kelly 18 and a metal Faxx 18 in my 1911 Holton Eb. As you know, the Kelly 18 and Faxx 18 are both close copies of the Bach 18 mouthpiece. The results? Both mouthpieces sounded and played very, very similar with the Faxx 18 having a slightly clearer, smoother tone. The Kelly 18 had a tiny bit more "fuzz" to the sound in comparison. There was maybe a 5% difference in sound between the two. Both are fine all-around mouthpieces that work well for most types of playing.

2 questions, (1)do you want that 5% difference when you play? If the answer is yes,(2) why would you spend even 30 dollars on a mouthpiece that makes you sound worse?

[iiipopes]

2 questions, (1)do you want that 5% difference when you play? If the answer is yes,(2) why would you spend even 30 dollars on a mouthpiece that makes you sound worse?

Peter, there are places in the USA that have much wider temperature extremes than in the UK, and there are those in those areas that have to perform outdoors. It's not a question of the tone being 5% worse, it's the difference between being able to play or not play in the inclement extremes.

[peter birch]

2 questions, (1)do you want that 5% difference when you play? If the answer is yes,(2) why would you spend even 30 dollars on a mouthpiece that makes you sound worse?

Peter, there are places in the USA that have much wider temperature extremes than in the UK, and there are those in those areas that have to perform outdoors. It's not a question of the tone being 5% worse, it's the difference between being able to play or not play in the inclement extremes.

hi iiipopes, I get that, but as I understand "tooba's" comments, he wasn't commenting on cold weather playing, but on a direct comparison between the 2 mouthpieces under normal conditions, in which case the 5% might be significant.

[iiipopes]

Peter, yes, I agree. Under "normal" conditions, it may very well be significant.

BTW -- do you know what's happening with brass-forum.co.uk? I've PM's trumpetmike, but haven't gotten a response yet?

[peter birch]

Peter, yes, I agree. Under "normal" conditions, it may very well be significant.

BTW -- do you know what's happening with brass-forum.co.uk? I've PM's trumpetmike, but haven't gotten a response yet?

No- a few days ago I saw it was in "maintenance mode" and then it appears to have gone, i have heard nothing over here

[tokuno]

The Kelly 18's light weight helps the gooseneck stay where I left it instead of swinging around on my twice yearly sousaphone gigs.
The Kelly 51 is a good match to my beater Olds Ambassador on an annual jaunt back to Berkeley to participate in alumni band day. Light weight and no worries about dinging up a more expensive mouthpiece. It allows me to be just a little more carefree as I swing the horn about on the field and jostle in the stands.

[DevilDog-2013]

I got a blue 24aw for christmas. I really like it. The tone isn't as good as a regular one. But, let's face it, it's a form of plastic. It's great for outdoor gigs. Plus it doesn't dent!!!!!!! The sousa I play has a tendency to drop mouthpieces, so it's nice that theres no damage done! AND it's easy on your chops
I love the dang thing!

[Donn]

but as I understand "tooba's" comments, he wasn't commenting on cold weather playing, but on a direct comparison between the 2 mouthpieces under normal conditions, in which case the 5% might be significant.

Well, here's the problem with that idea, and with Art's idea that someone ought to play two equivalent mouthpieces to a blindfolded listener: first, there aren't two equivalent mouthpieces, to a 5% level of accuracy like that, and second, I doubt there is a standard of ideal mouthpiece graduated that fine. Not because, as you somewhat offensively presume, you have higher standards than the rest of us, but because there are too many differences that aren't better or worse, just different.

I don't know what the story is with their 18, but for example their 1 1/2G bass trombone mouthpiece is (I think anyway) known to have a little larger bore than the Bach equivalent. That probably makes it, in some ways, better - for some people, some of the time anyway, but I'm sure there's someone who, on some days, might prefer the Bach. Or a Faxx, or something. I don't know what you'd have to do, to find an exact match for the Kelly 1 1/2G.