Wick 3SL + PT-65= Liger ?

[Eflatdoubler]

I have a Heritage Wick 3SL that I love the feel of, and a Perentucci PT-65 that I love the sound and projection of.
Anyone recommend a mouthpiece with the same rim dimensions and contours of the Wick 3SL? The Pt-65 really projects on my E flat tuba (B&S 22p).
I have not had the chance to try a Wick 3L yet to compare it to. As for what I have...
Wick 2L, Bach 24AW, Kelly 18 & 24AW, Conn helleberg and helleberg 7b, GW Kronos, PT-62, PT-64, PT-65s, PT-72s, Yamaha 67c4

Of all those, the PT-65 and Wick 3sl are my favorite. The Wick feels great and I can get around the horn well on it, but the pitch, projection and sound are better on the PT-65 (the 5th and 8th partials fall a little flat on my Wick for me with my horn).

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[ghmerrill]

Interesting (to me) ... You seem to be going through much the same hand-wringing that I did over the past six months since getting my Wessex EEb. I don't think I've got an "answer" for you, but I can at least support some of your feelings and concerns.

My EEb came with a Chinese clone of a Wick 3L. I really didn't like it. I also didn't like how my Schilke 66 worked in it (both in terms of the sound and articulation). My TU-17 worked quite well, but was just a bit small and didn't give me the low range sound I wanted. My PT-63 (yeah, I know that's a bit odd) gave me a great sound, range, and "slotting", but was just a little bigger in terms of diameter than I'd been using.

I got a Wick Heritage 2L and the sound was incredible. The range was great too. I committed to using it and began playing only with it. After a bit over a month of that, I re-evaluated. I realized that I didn't find that narrow rim particularly comfortable. It seemed to require a lot of air in the low range (no surprise, I suppose). And I found that I needed to really pay attention and work to get some pitches to be correct. Basically, it was taking more effort and was less comfortable and fun than what I wanted.

I went back to the PT-63. The pitch and intonation with this is spot-on. I've become accustomed to the slightly wider diameter and am now completely comfortable with it. The sound is great (though not quite as "sonorous" in the contra range as the 2L). I've thought of trying one of the Wick 'S' mouthpieces -- either the 3SL or 2SL -- but convinced myself that this would be a waste of time (mostly the comfort issue).

If I had to replace the PT-63 for some reason, I'd look at another Perantucci in the same size range (also bowl-shaped) or maybe a Miraphone slightly larger than the TU-17, like maybe the TU-21.

So I think we've both gone in some of the same directions of exploration here. But it's really about what works for YOU. So I'm not at all sure how much good this does you. I guess if you really like the feel of the 3SL, then in that case I'd try the 3L, the 2SL, and the 2L. There are several vendors who will send you mouthpieces on trial for the cost of the shipping (and in some cases a restocking fee).

[sousaphone68]

I would suggest a 1L also. I know their website says a 1L is best suited to a BBb but I have a 1L a 2Sl a 2L a 3SL a 3L and a 4L
And the one I use the most in my Eb is the 1L followed by the 2SL.
1L gives great low range flexibility with a sound that I like for concert band and the 2SL projects more when in the mid to upper range.

[Eflatdoubler]

Thank you for your replies- I have a Wick 2L also, but prefer the size rim of the 3Sl(or 3L). The diameter of the rim and the bite of the rim feel great. I suppose I will look for a 3L as I do not have one yet. I was curious if any other manufacturers had something similar in rim diameter and perhaps rim contour. I know manufacturers sometimes measure rims differently so I was curious if anyone knows of a mouthpiece with a similar rim diameter.
The Pt-65 is a great mouthpiece, but I have better control on the Wick 3SL in regard to articulation and centering of notes.
The diameter of the cup is 31.25mm on the Wick.

[peter birch]

for a mouthpiece with a 31.25mm diameter for an EEb tuba I could recommend the Les Neish signature mouthpiece from Alliance
http://www.rogerwebster.co.uk/store/ind ... duct_id=57
It looks good, and gives good projection across the range

[ghmerrill]

You might consider looking at Doug Elliott's mouthpieces. I'm pretty sure you could get exactly what you want there (in part through trying a number of the alternative combinations). It would be more expensive than the other mouthpieces you're looking at, but might not be more expensive after you factor in all the one's you'd be trying, maybe buying, and then rejecting.

For the sizing of the tuba (and related contrabass trombone) combinations, take a look at http://www.dougelliottmouthpieces.com/cbtuba.html.

[Eflatdoubler]

Thanks- I will look into finding one of the Alliance mouthpieces and a Wick 3L. Are there any dealers in the USA? I thought that "Just for Brass" used to carry them as I remember seeing them at TMEA, but I don't see any on their web page. I was looking on Doug Elliott's page and it appeared his tuba mouthpieces migh tall be bigger than I was looking for, although there were some rims in the contra bass trombone and cimbasso section that could work...

[Eflatdoubler]

Well, I have tried a wick 3l but it is too deep. The 3sl has great articulation and consistency, the pt-65 has a great sound and low range but not as controllable as the wick 3sl. Any other suggestions are appreciated!