6/4 mouthpiece

[adelarosa]

Dear TubeNetters,
I'm currently going back and forth between an AJ copy and a PT50 on my 6/4 B-flat but find both a bit too "round" of sound for a general purpose/smaller hall taste (I know, I know, get a smaller horn... nevertheless...). I've tested out G&W's Bayamo, Caver, and MMVI for the C and F, along with a myriad of this and that mouthpieces, but have yet to find something suitable.

Big isn't a problem. This horn lives for the heavy lit. But it's also incredibly light, boyant, and a joy to play Telemann and Wilder solo lit (believe me or not!).

Might anyone have some mp recommendations that align with a smaller rim than the 50, the inner-lip bite of the Jacobs yet have a smaller cup depth? I don't want to castrate the sound but surely someone else has made a similar journey. I've read good reviews and been considering Olka's CB2 but haven't had anyone around to test out.

Thoughts? Considerations? Stabs at my person? Mucho gracias.

[Michael Bush]

My best thought is that a phone call to bloke is in order: 901-465-4739.

[TheGoyWonder]

I liked a Bach 12 as a big MP for 6/4, lots of weight but still a front on the notes.
PT50 I see more a specialty mouthpiece to darken a bright tuba.

[adelarosa]

What brand/model 6/4 BBb are you using?

It's an amalgamation of a 36J ala Wilk-ized with a Siegfried bell. Tony K had it up a bit ago and it's been the best instrument I've trialled. Certainly it fits best in the big symphony it was designed to fit a niche but wow...I just enjoy playing the instrument.

From my experience not something I tote "lightly" about a 6/4 *anything.*

[adelarosa]

Excellent. I've tried Laskey mp's in the past but seem to have fallen off my radar. Will mend that shortly... Thanks!

[bort]

Oh, so YOU are the lucky duck that bought that tuba.

[adelarosa]

I'll be honest: I went and tested the tuba simply because I respect Tony's choices in horns and Martin's excellent craftsmanship, not because I'm in dire need of a supersized B-flat tuba. (And I'm an Indianapolis native)

I fully expected to simply say, "Great horn but not for me." Wow was I wrong. Of course as with anything worth doing there's a curve to acclimate: once I began understanding the ease of which this instrument responds it opened up and sung quite.. purdy.

And the low register blows as easy as the midrange. Just fantastic intonation with minor slide pulling.

I won't say that this tuba will be in my care until I'm six feet under, but it'll be a cold day indeed when we part.

Bort you're welcome to come play it anytime you're in the Cincy area. I'll even provide the beer.

[Ken Crawford]

I use a MrP 4.4 with my 6/4 BBb. I like it. Laskey 30h is another one to try.

[happyroman]

You might try any of these: Mike Finn H (his version of a 1930s Helleberg, and is somewhat of a heavy walled MP), Warburton TG-4 (copy of Arnold Jacobs 1930s Conn Helleberg, but smaller inside diameter than the Canadian Brass AJ), or the Cooley Helleberg (if you can find one). All three work very well wwith my 5/4 Rudy Meinl CC (which is really a 6/4).

[runelk]

I play on a 2165 and have used a PT-48 for the longest time with the horn. When I first got the horn,more than 10 years ago, I used a Deck 2 with it and It worked well with providing a dark tone but it suffered when I had to play something technical. Switched to the PT-48 on a whim and it provided me with the technical clarity that I needed and it still had a dark sound to it. Give that mouthpiece a try.

Just my $.02 worth

Albert

[adelarosa]

I play on a 2165 and have used a PT-48 for the longest time with the horn. ... Switched to the PT-48 on a whim and it provided me with the technical clarity that I needed and it still had a dark sound to it. Give that mouthpiece a try.

Just my $.02 worth

Albert

Much appreciated. I've owned the PT48 in the past on my former (and dearly missed!) 2145 but found the diameter too great for that horn and my playing at the time. Would you recommend testing the 48 with the 44, or have you found it unnecessary?

Many thanks,

[runelk]

I'd try it out. Never know

[MackBrass]

Go with something shallower when using a 6/4. The larger the horn I found you can go smaller without sacrificing sound. What you do pick up is clarity. Using a large mpc on a 6/4 will give you the opposite of what your looking for. I found the bloke solo or similar works on my Baer.

[tubazach07]

I would suggest looking at the breslmair G3A or any of their other mouthpieces. They are great mouthpieces that offer a lot clarity and core of sound that I have not experienced with other mouthpieces. They have a thick rim however, the way it's shaped makes it feel like it is thinner then what it is.

[Dan Tuba]

A Conn Helleberg 7B works well with my Conn 2XJs. The Conn Helleberg 120S works well for lower stuff. They are excellent quality and fairly inexpensive. The Sidey SSH is also very good. However, the rim has a fairly wide inner diameter and is very sharp.

[barry grrr-ero]

For whatever it's worth, I agree with what Tom McGrady is saying. Then again, I just can't play deep and narrow funnels such as a Helleberg 7B (my chops swell too much). I like somewhat wide and shallower m.p.'s on big BBb tubas. You might even consider a G&W Baer in titanium.

I only have an 'original style' Baer, so I can't compare it to the newer style (with lots of letters and Roman numerals that mean nothing to me). They're somewhat wide and shallow, but the titanium helps to keep the sound dark. To me, they play like a light weight and sound like a heavy weight. The titanium does feel a bit different, but is comfortable to play. Just a thought. Also, Joe Sellmansberger will put together a good combination for you.

[adelarosa]

I appreciate all the excellent responses. I've taken the plunge and am testing some of Joe's Imperial cup amalgamations; I will report back!

Anyone had experience with the new Okla mouthpiece on large instruments?

[chhite]

I live in Milford and have the Olka CB2 in Euro shank, along with a bunch of other mouthpieces you're welcome to try. Shoot me a PM and we can set up a time to meet.

[adelarosa]

. You might even consider a G&W Baer in titanium... To me, they play like a light weight and sound like a heavy weight. The titanium does feel a bit different, but is comfortable to play.

This is my experience with the titanium mouthpiece from G&W as well. I had a former teacher who allowed me to borrow her Bayamo in titanium; what a completely different and more enjoyable mouthpiece to play. Incredibly light yet super articulate and, as you mentioned, capable of the darkest sounds.

I've got a good recommendation from Joe and an invite to test a few other combinations here locally; I'm looking forward to seeing what I can cook up. Thanks, all!

[Chris Olka]

I live in Milford and have the Olka CB2 in Euro shank, along with a bunch of other mouthpieces you're welcome to try. Shoot me a PM and we can set up a time to meet.

Chris is such a generous guy to offer this up. I'd add that "for a few toots on your tuba" I might be able to let you try my collection. I've got piles of mouthpieces that might work. Of course, my schedule sucks but, if you're game I might be able to set it up. I'm located in Northern Kentucky.