Mouthpiece Prices... whaaaa?

[Joe Baker]

They are both replicas of the mouthpieces used by August Helleberg. There are a number of (really) original Hellebergs out there in private collections, and a few have been acquired and copied by various mouthpiece manufacturers. The UMI nee Conn is by far the more common, taking advantage of broader distribution channels and higher volume to keep their costs, and therefore their profitable price, lower. The R&S is a more 'boutique' item, selling lower volume with more limited distribution channels, which increases their costs. They feel (and obviously those who buy their product agree) that their product is worth a higher price than the UMI/Conn.
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Joe Baker, who recalls Rick Denneys excellent discussion of "cost" and "price"

[Rick Denney]

(I wouldn't think that billing an "innovative copy" of a Conn/UMI mouthpiece would allow you sell for more than the UMI mouthpiece itself... )

It depends on the "innovations". Most of the Helleberg mouthpieces on the market have a little less sharpness on the rim than the Conn/UMI version. That sharp rim is one of the reasons many don't like the Conn.

There is no patent on the Helleberg design, and there is no authoritative Helleberg design in any case. August Helleberg designed a unique mouthpiece for each instrument for which he designed a mouthpiece. And all that was long, long ago and any commercial rights to any of the originals would have long since expired. Thus, everyone has their own "Helleberg" mouthpiece. They are either faithful copies of one of the originals, copies of one of the copies with one or two improvements, or are loosely based on the Helleberg concept of a mostly funnel-shaped mouthpiece.

So, if you want one just like the one that was damaged, get a UMI (though be warned that even the UMI design has migrated over the years). By one of the others only if they have an improvement you prefer. I don't know what that would be for the Jet-Tone.

Rick "glad tuba mouthpieces aren't priced like double-reed stuff" Denney

[Captain Sousie]

The UMI is not as good in my opinion. The sharper rim starts to hurt after about an hour of playing (that is if you aren't used to it and maybe use a teensey bit too much pressure) and the sound that I get is not as good as on the schilke or jet-tone versions.

To me, that explains the monetary differences. If you are still in doubt, see if you can try some out. Draw you own conclusions, don't just take ours.