F Tuba mouthpiece
- Uncle Buck
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Big question
Wow, there's a question that could generate a different answer from everybody who responds.
However, just for my $0.02, back when I was doing a fair amount of playing on an F (and it's been a few years), I had success with a PT-32, played on one of the older model B&S Symphonie F-tubas.
However, I've never been one to experiment much with mouthpieces. I used the same PT-32 on my Conn 3J CC. I liked using the same mouthpiece on both horns, but doubt I could have had as good a result with a larger CC.
However, just for my $0.02, back when I was doing a fair amount of playing on an F (and it's been a few years), I had success with a PT-32, played on one of the older model B&S Symphonie F-tubas.
However, I've never been one to experiment much with mouthpieces. I used the same PT-32 on my Conn 3J CC. I liked using the same mouthpiece on both horns, but doubt I could have had as good a result with a larger CC.
Re: F Tuba mouthpiece
Two popular models are the Perantucci PT-64 and the Miraphone TU-23 (C4).ATLtuba wrote:Does anybody have a suggestion for a good F Tuba mouthpiece?
- Rick Denney
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Re: F Tuba mouthpiece
I like the Mike Finn 4.ATLtuba wrote:Does anybody have a suggestion for a good F Tuba mouthpiece?
Rick "who also has a PT-64" Denney
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Gee. This greatly depends on what you´re using it for.
My horn (MW 46) came with a Tilz M7 (Whatever that may mean).
I used to play it until the silver wore off of the rim and never thought of getting another one. It worked well in all ranges, and it provided a kinda crisp sound that blended nicely with french horn in quintet. Makes a statement when paired up with BBbs in a section, too, ´cause it doesn´t pretend the bass horn was a contrabass (see below).
When looking for a broader and warmer sound, I was recommended a GEWA 24AW (That´ll be a Bach 24AW copy, I believe), by a pro. Larger rim diameter, more cup volume. Provided a lot more warmth and volume preventing the tuba from "barking" unless I really wanted to. Great MP.
Got a PT50+ later on with my CC tuba. Tried it on the F, and that provided the BOOM BOOM and the extra warmth when played softly.
I would have loved that years before, having been the only tuba in community band.
With the F-tuba, I prefer the 24AW, though.
To sum it up: To a certain extent, you can alter your sound with choice of MP according to the task. I´d say it´s a good idea to have maybe two Mouthpieces to cover situations described above. You want to make sure, though, that you can
reliably and comfortably play in all ranges on both. It should just be a matter of colour of sound (just my opinion).
There is no "right" mouthpiece that works for everyone.
Try out lots of them and make sure somebody whose evaluation you trust listens to you. At least you want to record yourself, adding your instant comments on the feel of the MPs so you don´t get lost later on.
Hans
My horn (MW 46) came with a Tilz M7 (Whatever that may mean).
I used to play it until the silver wore off of the rim and never thought of getting another one. It worked well in all ranges, and it provided a kinda crisp sound that blended nicely with french horn in quintet. Makes a statement when paired up with BBbs in a section, too, ´cause it doesn´t pretend the bass horn was a contrabass (see below).
When looking for a broader and warmer sound, I was recommended a GEWA 24AW (That´ll be a Bach 24AW copy, I believe), by a pro. Larger rim diameter, more cup volume. Provided a lot more warmth and volume preventing the tuba from "barking" unless I really wanted to. Great MP.
Got a PT50+ later on with my CC tuba. Tried it on the F, and that provided the BOOM BOOM and the extra warmth when played softly.
I would have loved that years before, having been the only tuba in community band.
With the F-tuba, I prefer the 24AW, though.
To sum it up: To a certain extent, you can alter your sound with choice of MP according to the task. I´d say it´s a good idea to have maybe two Mouthpieces to cover situations described above. You want to make sure, though, that you can
reliably and comfortably play in all ranges on both. It should just be a matter of colour of sound (just my opinion).
There is no "right" mouthpiece that works for everyone.
Try out lots of them and make sure somebody whose evaluation you trust listens to you. At least you want to record yourself, adding your instant comments on the feel of the MPs so you don´t get lost later on.
Hans
Hans
Melton 46 S
1903 or earlier GLIER Helicon, customized Hermuth MP
2009 WILLSON 6400 RZ5, customized GEWA 52 + Wessex "Chief"
MW HoJo 2011 FA, Wessex "Chief"
Melton 46 S
1903 or earlier GLIER Helicon, customized Hermuth MP
2009 WILLSON 6400 RZ5, customized GEWA 52 + Wessex "Chief"
MW HoJo 2011 FA, Wessex "Chief"
- Dylan King
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- Dan Satterwhite
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Some other ideas than the ones already mentioned:
I've used a Dillon Sheridan 1 for quite awhile on a Yamaha 822. Very comfortable, good balance of high and low. If you like a slightly wider rim, the Dillon G1 also works. On a smaller horn like the 182, you might have luck with a Helleberg 7B, a Yamaha 67B4 or C4, or any of the smaller sizes of Josef Klier (one of the best mouthpiece valuse out there)
I've used a Dillon Sheridan 1 for quite awhile on a Yamaha 822. Very comfortable, good balance of high and low. If you like a slightly wider rim, the Dillon G1 also works. On a smaller horn like the 182, you might have luck with a Helleberg 7B, a Yamaha 67B4 or C4, or any of the smaller sizes of Josef Klier (one of the best mouthpiece valuse out there)
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Richard Perry
My teacher, Richard Perry, plays on a MW 182. If you haven't heard him he gets an incredibly big sound from the horn. He uses a Miraphone C4.
I play on a MW 45S with a Mike Finn 4 mouthpiece, and I believe the Mike Finn mouthpieces are great mouthpieces at great prices comparable to other heavyweight gold plated mouthpieces. On a similar note, Dr. Perry did try the MF4 on his 182 and he still plays the C4.
Thomas "I feel like I'm doing math with all the number/letter combinations" Peacock
I play on a MW 45S with a Mike Finn 4 mouthpiece, and I believe the Mike Finn mouthpieces are great mouthpieces at great prices comparable to other heavyweight gold plated mouthpieces. On a similar note, Dr. Perry did try the MF4 on his 182 and he still plays the C4.
Thomas "I feel like I'm doing math with all the number/letter combinations" Peacock
Last edited by ThomasP on Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Gorilla Tuba
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Although it has no "bitchin'" factor, I really liked the Yamaha 67B4 with my Meinl weston 182. It had a lot of clarity and presence. Others I liked were the Dillon F2B, and the Mirafone C4. For many F tubists, a fairly wide rim with a shallow cup seems to be the ticket.
A. Douglas Whitten
Associate Director of Bands
Assoc. Professor of Tuba & Euphonium
Pittsburg State University
Associate Director of Bands
Assoc. Professor of Tuba & Euphonium
Pittsburg State University
- Tubadork
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- vmi5198
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This is a response I recently got to my question... hope it helps you out the same way it did for me!I would ask that you think about your question before you complain about the answers you receive. I believe if you will examine your questions a bit more you will understand why you receive the answers you get.
As an example, If I were to ask someone "Will a new soft drink taste good to me?" There is no way to answer that as only I know what tastes good to me. You can not tell me a straight answer except to reference it to a well known exisiting product which I could then use as a comparison to form my own answer.
Mouthpieces are a very personal thing for many of us. What works well for me might not be a good fit for someone else even on the same horn.

Mark Preece
BE 983
VMI 5198 Neptune
BE 983
VMI 5198 Neptune
- Billy M.
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- ABQtuba
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With my Yamaha F, which is roughly the same size as the MW 182, I use a Bach 32E. It has a deep cup but an inside diameter that's about 0.10" smaller than the popular Bach 18. I had that mouthpiece 20 years before I found a horn to go with it. The 32E worked better for me on the F horn than other deep-cup mouthpieces (Conn Helleberg, Bach 7) or than the Yamaha 67C4 that came with the horn.
ABQtuba
King 2341
Reynolds Contempora
Yamaha YBB-621
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