A tuba mute the cheap way

[hubert]

Recently I have experimented a bit with making a wooden mute for my own use. The first result was a VERY simple straight mute for less than 20 $ (for my 6/4 York model tuba). The mute is octogonal and made of birch plywood 6 mm (sides) and 12 mm (top and bottom). As a length I took 2/3 of the distance from the bell to the first collar, and added about 6 inches for the total length. I took the diameter of the bell on 3 spots starting from the first collar. Leaving enough room for some corks, thus I could determine the diameter of the top and the bottom and the inclination of the slant. Top and bottom were cut as octogonals with a round opening in the bottom of about half the diameter. After cutting the 8 side elements to measure, I hand-shaved all the parts to the right bevel (eyeballing). Then I stapled the side elements to top and bottom, dripped and brushed glue into the vertical joints, spread the glue by moving the side elements a bit, wiped off the excess and tightened the construction for some time halfway the heighth with tape to let the glue dry. I glued a plywood grip (protruding from the edge of the top plate) to the top plate, cut some corks from a cork sanding-block and glued these onto the sides. Finally I covered the stapled areas with some fancy tape. And ....it worked.
For a more advanced (and a bit more expensive) mute, cut top and bottom round and use a sheet of very thin aircraft plywood for the chamber. Blind rivets combined with glue will hold the vertical joint of the sheet of aircraft plywood together.
Nice odd job for a rainy Sunday afternoon? Enjoy.
Hubert

[bighonkintuba]

Please post some pictures of your handiwork!

[circusboy]

I've always wondered about making a mute by starting with this:

[iiipopes]

I just throw a hand towel over the bell, leaving enough over the rim to remove it instead of it falling down in the bell. $5 at any bed & bath store; I use the black one from Wal-Mart.

[Art Hovey]

I am sure that the octagonal wooden mute is a good one, but it seems like a lot of work. I did consider road cones at one time, but the ones I have seen are too soft.

Here are my best cheap mutes:
http://www.galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/TubaMutes.html

The only thing I would change is to use "goop" instead of liquid nails. Goop sticks better. It can be found in hardware stores and Homey-Depot-type places, in a tube like toothpaste. There are several kinds, (plumber's, household, etc.) but they are all the same stuff. The best time to shop for plastic flowerpots around here is early spring.