HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

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aaronz28
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HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

Post by aaronz28 »

Those of you who play a HB21 - or any Hirsbrunner for that matter -
what mouthpiece do you use?

I've been playing with G&W Alan Baer and while I love the Stainless, I had some trouble with note centering - I spoke to Ivan and he suggested i try scotch tape on the shank to tighten up the gap - i was amazed at how drastic this tiny change made - so that tells me that these horns (probably not unlike others) have a sweet spot with regard to the shank size/depth the mouthpiece sits in/gap etc...

so - i suspect after the holidays that I'll connect again with Ivan to solve this problem - but i'm wondering what other guys/gals use on this horn, and if you've found a "end-all-be-all" mouthpiece, either solo/quintet/orchestral. etc.

thanks

Aaron
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bill
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Re: HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

Post by bill »

Ivan is right AND also very knowledgeable. I have a HBS-192 (BBb) and it does take a large shank. For instance, it completely swallows a Conn 7B. I am using a Bruno Tilz M7 (there are other markings on the mouthpiece, like NEA) but it is essentially an M7. If someone can tell you what size this mouthpiece shank is (like European = .540 or .535 or larger like= .550, as my Willson seems to take) you can shop for that shank size and find a comfortable fit. I have a G & W Matanuska which is also a good shank fit but prefer the inner cup shape and, especially the wider rim of the Bruno Tilz.
Always make a good sound; audiences will forget if you miss a note but making a good sound will get you the next job.
MTFULRUTUBA
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Re: HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

Post by MTFULRUTUBA »

I have an HB-21 I've owned/played for the past 17 years. Started using a PT-88+ back in 2002 and never looked back. It is the only CC tuba I play, hope this helps.
Michael Taylor
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Lenoir-Rhyne University, NC
North Greenville University, SC
Anderson University, SC
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
OffuttTubaGuy
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Re: HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

Post by OffuttTubaGuy »

I also use the G&W Baer on my HB-21, and have found this to be the best choice for me. I've previously used the PT-50, PT-48, and for a very short time the PT-88 and Laskey 30H. These were all fine, but the Baer model had all the elements in the proportions that I wanted.
You might try a different Baer copy before entirely switching mouthpiece makes & models. This worked for me: I now have 3 Euro shank and 1 standard shank Baer pieces, and each one plays and feels slightly different. The Baer F tuba piece also works well on the HB21 for solos and higher repertoire. I used it on this recording of Largo al Factotum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxnwLRo76DY
Alex J. Serwatowski
Principal Tubist, USAF Heartland of America Band
Artist Faculty, University of Nebraska at Omaha
aaronz28
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Re: HB21 Mouthpiece recommendation

Post by aaronz28 »

OffuttTubaGuy wrote:I also use the G&W Baer on my HB-21, and have found this to be the best choice for me. I've previously used the PT-50, PT-48, and for a very short time the PT-88 and Laskey 30H. These were all fine, but the Baer model had all the elements in the proportions that I wanted.
You might try a different Baer copy before entirely switching mouthpiece makes & models. This worked for me: I now have 3 Euro shank and 1 standard shank Baer pieces, and each one plays and feels slightly different. The Baer F tuba piece also works well on the HB21 for solos and higher repertoire. I used it on this recording of Largo al Factotum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxnwLRo76DY
Sounds great !
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