Just got a Schlipf practice mute

[PaulTkachenko]

It's great - should have got one years ago.

Just mentioning, in case you're thinking about getting one - get one!

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Where did you get it? What were the $$$ involved?

[apsapienza]

Considering it, but they're $300 a pop. What makes them worth that much money?

[bort]

I used to have one a few years ago -- definitely great and worth the money. It's compact, and only stick about 1" out of the bell. Very effective at quieting the horn, but does NOT cause a bunch of crazy response and intonation issues. Playing is very much a consistent experience with playing the un-muted horn.

About the biggest negative is that they are pretty tuba-specific -- each model fits a range of different horns, but if you sell your horn, it may not fit in your new horn. That's why I sold mine, when I sold the tuba, it didn't fit the next one. And by that point, I realized that my neighbors didn't care if I practiced with or without a mute.

If you need a practice mute, get it.

[PaulTkachenko]

Not sure about the rates for USA, but I got mine at Thomann.

Not cheap, but it really works and it's super handy to carry in the tuba. I tend to do a lot of practice away from home so carrying a practice mute was a real pain.

[bort]

Thomann is a big store, so their prices are lower -- even with the Euro to USD conversion and international shipping. That said, I'd rather give my business to Lee.

[PaulTkachenko]

Certainly support you (relatively) local folk.

I'm in the UK though!