Schilpf Practice Mutes

[j1007hc]

Opinions please! With the "shelter-in-place" order, I'm wondering if now is the time to buy one for use in my apartment.. Would be for an Alexander F.

On a related topic, if anyone has one for sale, if anyone has the Nr5 model for sale, please contact me

jh

[spirtuba]

I have used those for different types of tubas, they are good, not too much resistance but intonation is an issue (as with all practice mutes, but some do a better job I think) and they dampen they sound not as much as other mutes. It might be enough muting for your situation, I happened to have got neighbours with very sharp ears as it seems and I live in an old building with thin walls. (I instead bought the yamaha then, for my situation that's the best thing, but you won't have the same situation). Now, locked into my flat I'm very glad I thought about getting a practice mute some years ago I must say.

All the best!
Flavio

[tubeast]

I use a size 4 with my Melton 46, which should have a wider throat on its bell than the relatively narrow Alex F.
But just eMail Schlipfinger himself, he´ll be able to advise perfect size for any model out there...

[The Brute Squad]

Lee Stofer also has a sizing chart on his website. You'll want a 3 for your Alexander, not a 5.

I have one for my F, and I'm comfortable playing in my apartment with it. No issues with intonation/tone either.

[bort]

I had one for a Miraphone 1291 about 10 years ago. I thought it was great, and worked really well without making the tuba top heavy or messing with intonation. I really had no complaints...

However, my neighbors never complained about my full volume un-muted playing. So I just never really used the mute, and sold it.

[Diego A. Stine]

I use the 9 for my Ursus, and it works well. Plus I can put it and the tuba in my gig bag which is nice.

[Leland]

Another vote from me. Got one (I forget which size) for my BBb and used it a lot here in our townhome. The neighbors never said anything, and my wife was only sometimes able to hear me from upstairs.

[tylerferris1213]

I love my Schlipf mute, so count that as another vote to get one. They work great on anything smaller than a 6/4.

[The Brute Squad]

They work great on anything smaller than a 6/4.

From what I've learned from Lee Stofer (a story for another time), any practice mute for 6/4 horns (especially York-based ones) probably isn't possible.