Wooden mouthpiece
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Michael Bush
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Wooden mouthpiece
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Last edited by Michael Bush on Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
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Last edited by Michael Bush on Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
I did most of the rest of the piece without remembering to take pictures. Here is where it was in the process when I remembered. It's on a shop-made jam chuck, and I was getting the outer diameter of the shank right.
Here are some pictures of the finished piece. 33 mm+/- flat rim, 8mm +/- backbore, funnel cup:
- TheHatTuba
- 5 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Nice. One of things i want but really not sure whytalleyrand wrote:
- J.c. Sherman
- 6 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Very nice!
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Well, I didn't really intend to go into business. It was just a lark. But I imagine we could work something out. I don't want to turn this thread into a for sale or commercial advertising thing, so I'll send you a PM and we'll see what we can arrange. I've done two now, so I'm feeling a bit more confident about it.
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TubaGuy1982
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
hi talleyrand....i sent you an email with a question.....just wanted to let you know
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jmerring
- 3 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
You do beautiful work.
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toobagrowl
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Very cool. Did you treat the wood or put any varnish on it?
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Thanks, Jim.jmerring wrote:You do beautiful work.
I was actually just thinking about you a few minutes ago. I'm waffling about whether I did the right thing selling the tuba you sold me in order to buy the 6/4 Conn I've got now. I'm not sure at my age I'm ever going to be able to provide this monster enough vibrating air on a consistent basis to sound like it does when I'm feeling young. When I'm at my best, or when I'm in a big room with a band around me, the Conn is fantastic and I wonder why I ever doubted. In my practice space I have doubts. And that Schillbrunner is a sweet tuba regardless of the room. A high school kid up north (Michigan?) has it now.
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Food grade mineral oil all over, and beeswax on the rim to make it as comfortable as possible. Even on tight wood like pear, end grain is not comfortable, and needs a pretty thick layer of something to keep it off your lips!tooba wrote:Very cool. Did you treat the wood or put any varnish on it?
- The Jackson
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
You did a great job! I really want to hear what someone would sound like with that beauty. Could you provide some video/audio? 
- rodgeman
- 3 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
I think it would be great in a burl wood.
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
As I said in the other thread: better wood turner than tuba player. I think I'll let Homerun say what he thinks of it once it's in his hands in a couple of days rather than putting myself out there musically like that. Anyway, it's in the mail to him at this point and I couldn't make a recording with it if my life depended on it!The Jackson wrote:You did a great job! I really want to hear what someone would sound like with that beauty. Could you provide some video/audio?
- J.c. Sherman
- 6 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
For my own mouthpieces, I have found Olivewood, Blackwood, and Cocobolo turn out a very fine end-grain mouthpiece rim. Very comfortable, and can be polished to glass smoothness.
J.c.S.
J.c.S.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Good thought. I had thought of cocobolo, but don't have any big enough. Also thought of lignum vitae, but again don't have a big enough chunk. I guess I'm going to be buying some exotic wood!
- J.c. Sherman
- 6 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Lignum is very fragrant, and you may not like it; it machines beautifully, of course, but that smell - even if you like it - takes a long time to fade. Olivewood is mild and fades pretty quickly.
J.c.S.
J.c.S.
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Cleveland State University
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra
President, Variations in Brass
http://www.jcsherman.net
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Homerun
- bugler

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
I can't wait to take it for a spin! I'll see if I can't get audio comparison after break it in. Talley has been amazing during this process, and obviously does some beautiful work.
"Statistical analysis suggests that I am probably in tune with someone."
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Michael Bush
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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
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Last edited by Michael Bush on Mon May 23, 2011 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

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Re: Wooden mouthpiece
Does it come with a pair of tweezers to pull splinters from your embouchure?
K
K