Sousaphone practice mute

[Tomtom]

I've been using a basketball as a practice mute for a bit and the tuning when using it is pretty bad, so i'm thinking of getting a proper one from Humes & Berg (I can't find any other available make).
I live in the UK and no-one has them in stock over here, so I'd have to order one without trying it out first and without the possibility to return it.
Has anyone got one/tried one and can tell me what they're like in terms of tuning, volume, openess etc?
Another option, which may be more feasible financially is trying to make my own. Does anyone have any experience with home-made mutes and how easy it is to make one that plays well?
Thanks,
Tom
PS On the off chance that anyone UK based has a second-hand one for sale, please let me know.

[sousaphone68]

There was or is one on ebay in the UK at the moment for under £100 and lots of new Denis Wicke mutes for under £200 they are not hard to find just expensive

apologies read it too fast there are lots of tuba mutes have never heard of mute for a sousaphone I dont think due to the bend in the neck of a sousaphone bell that a mute exists but I am sure that the more inventive members will have home build suggestions.

Well knock me over with a feather they do exist no photo on their website and stone lined sounds heavy is your sousa brass or plastic?
http://www.reedsandthings.com/HBMutes.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank
$132 for the brand you mentioned but no photo on that website either
I hope some one has home build plans or work arounds

Found another one
http://www.musictreasures.com/Mutes/31738.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

[sousaphone68]

Found a UK website £193 for a practice mute
http://www.themusiccellar.co.uk/index.p ... ath=48_194" target="_blank" target="_blank

[tuba.bobby]

Mike McLean might be able to make you one? (I think that's the name off the top of my head!)

[normrowe]

The best mute for a sousaphone is a large blanket stuffed as far into the instrument as possible and left there permanently!

[sousaphone68]

Had a thought as you are looking for a practice mute for social reasons I imagine rather than a mute designed to change the tone/colour of your sousa.
I am going to bring my sousa to the bandhall and will try putting a bass trombone mute into the neck without the bell being attached.
I think this will probably sharpen the sousa but from my limited experience with tuba mutes all mutes change the tuning of the instrument anyway requiring dare I say it the main slide to be pulled out while using the mute.

An orchestra friend of mine used to use his DW wooden straight mute with a scarf pushed into the gaps for an impromptu practice mute.

A google search brought up a post from this forum were the player used a fuzzy volley ball as a practice mute.

I am absolutely amazed that A) sousa mutes exist and B) that composers have asked for a muted sousa

[Tomtom]

Just to clarify, I'm looking for a practice mute to keep on the good side of the neighbours, not a mute to change the tone in performance.
They are available to order over here but they're quite expensive. When the US price is $132, the UK prices I've seen are £182-£193 - around $300, which is why I'm so keen to get more info before ordering.
I've tried the ball idea (basketball not volleyball, though I doubt that makes much difference) and the tuning is too far out to be useful. It's about a tone sharp overall, which is tolerable, but some notes eg open F and 2+3 F# are almost ideantical, which is really annoying. Does anyone how likely it is that a homemade mute would have decent tuning?
Tom

[b.williams]

I use a Yamaha Silent Brass practice mute with a Conn 20J recording bell tuba. I also used it with a King 1240 recording bell tuba. I would assume that it will also work with a sousaphone. It may not be ideal, but it will allow you to practice and keep on the good side of your neighbors. BTW, I don't use any of the electronics. FWIW, I folded and taped a bath towel around the edge of the mute that meets the bell. This allows for a good sound proof seal after you clamp down the three straps that come with the mute.