Unique Mouthpiece

[Steve Marcus]

If anyone thought that a multi-element Blokepiece was bizarre, please look at this:

Mouthpiece.jpg

Google translation:

Manufacturer: ROMERA (Lomela)
31.8mm: inner rim diameter
Outer diameter of rim: -
Standard rim width: depth: -
Throat: 8.0 mm
Shank: American

Mouthpiece for tuba mouthpiece maker "(Lomela) Romera" of Spain.
Heavy type is "Mel Culbertson (Mel Culbertson)"

Strictly from a front-on appearance of a player using this mouthpiece, the large "disk" between the shank and the rim appears to cover the entire area between the nose and the chin.

Does anyone own any mouthpieces like this? What are their playing characteristics?

[TubaCrazy]

I think is the same MPC.
http://www.meinlweston.com/quality-inst ... ho-kim-379" target="_blank

[bigbob]

It looks like his nose is stuck or smashed in it too!....BB

[Tubaman2365]

Looks like something made by Cogswell Cogs.

[jamsav]

Looks like something made by Cogswell Cogs.

Clearly a Spacely Sprocket product !

[tubarepair]

Either you guys are over the age of 40 -or- you have good taste in cartoons.

Sincerely,
Astro

[Heavy_Metal]

Either you guys are over the age of 40 -or- you have good taste in cartoons.

Sincerely,
Astro

Is this AstroBoy, then?

(who is called AtomBoy in Japan, where the cartoon originated....)

[Tubaman2365]

In all seriousness, what is the point of that design?

[Euphtub]

I have a colleague who used to play on a Conn-Helleberg with a weight attached to it. The weight was huge. It looked very similar to the picture linked. It was probably a 4"x2" disk that resembled a very large donut. I believe it was lead and he wrapped it in duct tape.

He sounded awesome on it, but I think it looked pretty crazy. He was experimenting with the mass of the mouthpiece to see how it affected the sound of his old Miraphone 186 (maybe Mirafone).

If I can find a picture I'll post later.

-Michael

[iiipopes]

Either you guys are over the age of 40 -or- you have good taste in cartoons.
Sincerely,
Astro

All the above, and I had a crush on Judy.

[Heavy_Metal]

For those who haven't seen it, this is from the Bach Mouthpiece Manual. Though (of course) it only covers the Bach models, it's the best description of this I've found so far:

"MegaTone® Mouthpieces"

"Symphonic and jazz trumpet players have always experimented with ways to create a darker sound by using various mouthpiece add-ons to add weight and mass. The Bach MegaTone Mouthpiece takes these experiments one step further.

To create the MegaTone, Selmer starts with genuine Vincent Bach mouthpiece designs and more than doubles
the outside mass. This darkens the sound and allows you to play at higher dynamic levels without distortion. MegaTone slots extremely well so pitches center dependably, and a slightly larger throat affords less resistance and greater flexibility. The result is a warmer, more powerful sound that adds a new dimension to concert, pop and jazz playing.

NOTE: The inner contours are precisely the same as the original Bach Mouthpiece, allowing same basic playability. However, additional mass on the outside produces a darker, more powerful sound. The MegaTone throat is also slightly larger than standard to increase response and flexibility."

*****************************

The R&S/Jet-Tone Heavy Helleberg mouthpieces gained a following probably for the same reason, though apparently not enough to keep that company in business. If you've never seen one, they have roughly twice the mass of a MegaTone. If you're looking for this type of mouthpiece, Tony Clements is producing similar models of his own design (not direct R&S copies). Go here for a description- he even goes into which mouthpieces he uses with which tubas:

http://www.lowbrasswerks.com/accessories.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

To contact Mr. Clements, go here and scroll down:

http://www.lowbrasswerks.com/contact.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I'm using one of his Ensemble mouthpieces with my Sonora, and it has turned out to be a very good match for this player on that horn.

[Heavy_Metal]

In my experience, yes. As with All Things Tuba, however, your mileage may vary.

I have both the R&S models, the TUHH which I believe is based on the Conn Helleberg design, and the TUHH-II which is based on the Schilke Helleberg. The TUHH-II has a smaller throat and a slightly shallower cup than the TUHH (I don't have exact dimensions) though the rim inside diameters appear to be the same. The Clements Ensemble splits the difference between the two R&S models. I haven't seen the Clements Orchestra model.

When I use them on the Sonora, all three produce a darker, more-powerful sound than a standard type of mouthpiece with similar dimensions (such as the Canadian Brass Arnold Jacobs model) will. With the TUHH, however, it's too easy to overblow the Sonora- but not the 20J, so I use the TUHH with that. The Ensemble will just barely start to distort if I give it everything I have. The TUHH-II isn't quite as powerful as the Ensemble, but works nicely with my small Besson. All have similar rim diameters, so it's easy for me to go from one to another.

The Bach MegaTone works as described, when compared to Bach's standard models. I have a standard Bach 7 (dating back to the pre-Internet days when standard Bach was all we could get) and a 7 MegaTone, so I've experienced that difference. I've found that for me, the Helleberg-type rim works better than the Bach-type, but again, someone else might prefer the Bach-type or something else.

Then there's this one, which has the biggest throat I've ever seen. Haven't worked with it much:

http://iymcorp.com/tubamouthpiece.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

There are many others I haven't tried- for example, if I find myself in the Memphis area I'll certainly look in on bloke and see if he'll let me try some of his.

****************************************

Many players and teachers will say that a person's technique is more important than the mouthpiece they're using. They're right, of course. But I can compare a mouthpiece to a pair of shoes: If your shoes don't fit properly, you'll be able to walk, but you'll have trouble running. JMHO.

[Heavy_Metal]

Terry, saw this quote of yours in another thread........

......after 45 years of playing and 35 years of teaching. I never had a range above F and at 56 years old, I do not see it developing. I work on it daily, it is just not there - yet.

and it reminded me that when I first tried the TUHH, and later the Ensemble, the high range resonated more strongly. Like you, I'm still working on that, but it made enough of a difference that I thought I should mention it.

[bigbob]

WOWW! I never relised just how many different mouthpieces there are! I have four two were given to me by Jamsave ....and two I have had foe years .... the Vincent bach24AW is the heavy weight! at243 grams my tuh11 is193 my conn hellberg was the lightest at152 I would like to test them but I don't have my Tuba YET!! It comes with a p50 I thought it was the size of the whole for air not weight ..I can't wait to test it..Thanks....BB

[Heavy_Metal]

Terry, saw this quote of yours in another thread........

......after 45 years of playing and 35 years of teaching. I never had a range above F and at 56 years old, I do not see it developing. I work on it daily, it is just not there - yet.

and it reminded me that when I first tried the TUHH, and later the Ensemble, the high range resonated more strongly. Like you, I'm still working on that, but it made enough of a difference that I thought I should mention it.

Not sure a mouthpiece would help much - I don't have a much higher range with a euphonium, or a trumpet for that matter! Maybe an Ab with a euphonium. If I find someone with one, I will sure borrow it and give it a try tho!

Certainly no harm in trying, or experimenting. One of the guys in the band I play in has used a 24AW for 40 years, but he tried my 7 MegaTone and suddenly he could get more air thru his Cerveny. Yes, things do change in 40 years......

WOWW! I never relised just how many different mouthpieces there are! I have four two were given to me by Jamsave ....and two I have had foe years .... the Vincent bach24AW is the heavy weight! at243 grams my tuh11 is193 my conn hellberg was the lightest at152 I would like to test them but I don't have my Tuba YET!! It comes with a p50 I thought it was the size of the whole for air not weight ..I can't wait to test it..Thanks....BB

You might have posted this before but I forgot- what horn did you get?

[bigbob]

Frank, I'm getting Mr. Gnagey's first 6/4 cc horn he made .. after three weeks of waiting for the check to get into Canada, a week before it was shipped and another week of waiting.. I've been told that it will be delivered on Tuesday!!(just after my first payment<s>) Yeaaa.... It is just a beautiful horn as is all of Sam's horns.... It's a bummer that the leather bell belt isn't included I could have tested it with and without the belt! after all I just play in my room.. I need some kind of diversion<s> I guess I'll have to make one!( after all I do make belts and buckles<s>) thanks for asking.....BB

[Heavy_Metal]

after all I just play in my room..

You'll have to fix that real fast with such a nice tuba- surely there's at least a local band or orchestra that could use some more firepower!

And by all means, try some different mouthpieces to see what works best for you and the horn.