1910 York Eb Helicon

[Stu]

I recently aquired a 1910 York Eb Helicon without a mouthpiece. Any suggestions on choosing one would be appreciated.

[opus37]

A Denis Wick 3 (not the 3L), would be the most common place to start.

[Donn]

We're talking about shank size here. The assumption is, because it's an old Eb tuba, its mouthpiece "receiver" takes an obsolete small shank mouthpiece. Denis Wick still makes these, in a variety of sizes, and any of the smaller sizes would be arguably suitable. For a first approximation, small shank is usually pretty close to a "large shank" trombone mouthpiece, so a bass trombone mouthpiece would be usable if not very good. If you try that and it's way too small, then I guess you have a standard shank receiver after all, so never mind all this. (Or you have no receiver.)

But if it's likely going into the shop anyway in the near future, you might consider adapting it to standard shank. I don't know if we're talking about a one piece neck pipe receiver, or a neck pipe plus bits like a modern sousaphone, but either way, if it isn't standard shank already, for about the cost of one good mouthpiece you can open the door to modern tuba mouthpieces of any size, style and price you like.

[Stu]

The neck pipe has bits, like a sousaphone, and takes a standard shank mouthpiece.
Would the Dennis Wick 3L still be a good place to start? Thanks for the info.

[Donn]

Would the Dennis Wick 3L still be a good place to start? Thanks for the info.

Maybe not. Not because it's a poor choice for that instrument - could be fine - but you could make a different random choice that would cost half as much and has an equal chance of working out fine. I think it's a safe bet the ideal mouthpiece is going to be at most medium size, which the 3L is. The half-as-much option I'm thinking of is the Faxx 7B, copy of the Conn 7B Helleberg with a good reputation for quality manufacture. Schilke 62 isn't quite that economical but it's the real bass tuba size we're talking about, and I think it's a great mouthpiece.

[imperialbari]

Photos of that helicon, please!

Front and back totals.

Front and back shots of the valve section.

Shoulderpiece.

Bell profile.

Engravings. Preferably readable even if it may take a few shots.

Klaus

[Stu]

Donn, I borrowed a Blessing 18, doesn't seem quite right. How does it compare to the ones you mentioned?
Klaus, I will post some photos after I get a chance to clean the horn up. It has been stored for several years.

[Donn]

It's a hair bigger, for one thing. A lot of people know this mouthpiece better than I do, but I think we can safely say it's also a little more rounded, or bowl shaped, inside. (Blessing 18 is like Bach 18.) Sounds like you may have some previous experience playing tuba? Any specifics on the problem with the 18?

[Stu]

I played contra bass bugle when I was young and a bit in later life. When using the Blessing 18 my problem seems to be in the mid range but at this point I don't know if the problem is the mouthpiece, the horn or me.

[iattp]

Hello Stu,

would you be so kind and post some pictures of your York Eb helicon? I've got a York sousaphone from around the same time and I'm trying to piece together whether or not it was once a helicon.

Thanks,

Nick

PS: Here's my sousa: https://germanictuba.wordpress.com/my-t ... aphone-eb/" target="_blank

[ghmerrill]

I think I'd be inclined to try a Bach, or Faxx, or Kelly 25. It's nicely bowl-shaped and a bit smaller than the 18.

[WC8KCY]

If the instrument is still awaiting cleanup, I would wait until snaking the thing out and verifying that it's not leaking, plugged up, or missing valve corks/felts before getting too serious about the mouthpiece.

That said, I've never liked the Bach 24AW on E-flat tubas and would suggest avoiding that model as a starting point. The round rim, big throat, and cup shape don't lend themselves to precise, predictable response on my E-flats.

As mentioned above, the Bach 25 and its copies could be a good starting choice, as would the 22. The Holton-made 22 can currently be had for $45 online. I have a Holton 7 and 12 and they are nicely made, with better finishing down the backbore than a genuine Bach.

[iattp]

Regarding MPs: I found a Denis Wick 5L online for somewhat cheap. It's worked great with my Eb. I also use a 1L on it sometimes, but the 5L feels so much more natural.

[ghmerrill]

I've been using a Wick 5 (not L -- it has the small receiver) on my 1924 Buescher Eb for several years. It's the best I could come up with, but not ideal. I also turned down the shank on a Kelly 25, and that worked okay, though not as well as the Wick 5 overall.

However, since I recently acquired the lead pipe adapter for standard American shank from Dillon, I've been using my Miraphone TU-17 mouthpiece and like it a lot better. Better tone quality and intonation.