Modular mouthpieces

ronr · Post by **ronr** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:35 am

Is there any point to getting a modular mouthpiece if I'm happy with what I use now? I have some change left over from my last tuba purchase and I really need to spend it on something.

Ken Herrick · Post by **Ken Herrick** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:58 am

You might be better off taking a lesson from a good teacher or buying some CDs by top players or even having pizza and beer night.

Billy M. · Post by **Billy M.** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:47 am

Ken Herrick wrote:You might be better off taking a lesson from a good teacher or buying some CDs by top players or even having pizza and beer night.

^This!

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:06 am

ronr wrote:Is there any point to getting a modular mouthpiece if I'm happy with what I use now? I have some change left over from my last tuba purchase and I really need to spend it on something.

I see no real point to buying ANY mouthpiece if you are entirely happy with what you are using now.

Three Valves · Post by **Three Valves** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:43 am

You could, but the modular mouthpiece guy doesn't accept useless American greenback currency any more and insists on being paid with chickens!!

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:13 am

Ken Herrick wrote:You might be better off taking a lesson from a good teacher or buying some CDs by top players or even having pizza and beer night.

This is where we need to upgrade the forum so we can all click on the "like" button. [LIKE]

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:23 am

Ken Herrick wrote:You might be better off taking a lesson from a good teacher or buying some CDs by top players or even having pizza and beer night.

Go with all four; take a teacher for pizza and beer while listening to their CD's...

Sandlapper · Post by **Sandlapper** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:55 pm

I will say that without any doubt the absolutely most gorgeous sound I have gotten out of two different style tubas was with the "Symphonic" version of a modular mouthpiece. A couple of years ago I got a retired band director to sit and listen to me play one of the horns changing out three three different mouthpieces without looking at which one I was using and this one was judged as giving the decidedly best sound. However, I have recently learned that just regularly washing the thing out is not enough and if one does not take the parts off and lube them just as you need to do for your tuba, it will over time become a one piece mouthpiece. Its still the best sounding mouthpiece I've ever played.

It's like a misbehaving child. I still love it, I'm just not happy with it's behavior...or maybe mine for not discovering this sooner

Any thoughts on how to get a stuck rim off? That bond is stronger than my grip and those rubber loop wrenches just slip on its polished surface.

TubaSailor · Post by **TubaSailor** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:49 pm

Liquid wrench, let soak for 1/2 hour, tap rim (on side) LIGHTLY with a rawhide or wooden mallet, twist. (you may even be able to hear the difference when the rim comes loose - the "ring" will change) Repeat until successful.

or. . . . since stainless doesn't conduct heat very well, heat the rim with a non-oxidizing heat (heat gun/ oven, not torch) then chill cup in ice water, and it should loosen - you'll want to be ready w/ gloves or oven mitts to twist when cup and rim are at a high temperature differential.

I've had good luck with a very small drop of Hetman's no.13.5 linkage oil or slide oil (No. 5 or 6) on the threads every couple of weeks ---- no sticking yet. Stainless on stainless tends to bind - there are anti-seize compounds made specifically for stainless if you'd like to try that. but you still have to get it apart first.

good luck

roweenie · Post by **roweenie** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:57 pm

"Corrosion Cracker" from Ferree's Tools #J-88

http://www.ferreestools.com/brasswindto ... tools.html" target="_blank

2 ounces will last you quite a while.

Sandlapper · Post by **Sandlapper** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 11:22 am

"Corrosion Cracker" from Ferree's Tools #J-88

http://www.ferreestools.com/brasswindto" target="_blank ... tools.html

2 ounces will last you quite a while.

Do they sell to the general public or do you have to be a repair tec or have wholesale liscense?

Thanks for the response to the problem

thevillagetuba · Post by **thevillagetuba** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:32 pm

As far as getting a new mouthpiece, I do have to agree that if the one you have works and you are happy with it, then there isn't a need to replace it. But, if you have the extra money, a modular mouthpiece can be an enlightening experience. I have had a few over the years, and use one as my main piece. I feel that a modular mouthpiece gives you the ability to really create something that is better than what's on the market for you. I am a big fan of mouthpieces that have a deep bowl for their cup design. However, most of these come with really soft rounded rims so they don't always allow for a real clean articulation, especially on large or open horns. So, I started playing around with different combinations and currently use and old style LOUD LM-4 cup (probably the deepest bowl they've made) with the Houser Symphony No. 1 Semi-Flat rim.

Simply put, a modular mouthpiece can almost give you the chance to have a custom mouthpiece that's perfect for you without having to necessarily spend the money to have someone try and make one (which probably wouldn't be perfect the first time) and can allow you to change the mouthpiece as your needs change.

roweenie · Post by **roweenie** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:09 pm

My experience is that Ferree's will sell to everyone.

TubeNet

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