Mouthpiece Suggestions for Besson 983

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:42 am

I played a 983 for several years and tried multiple mpc's with this horn. I quite enjoyed the tuba except for the increased resistance playing below the low BBb. The result of this characteristic for me was that notes would not "pop out" with the same quick response as in the middle and upper registers. I found a PT-72 to provide the best low register response to improve this issue for me, while still maintaining a "bass tuba sound" from the horn. (I.e. -- I didn't try a PT-88 to see what that would do.)

According to internet rumor, the PT-72 was the mpc Pat Sherridan used before having other "signature mpc" options created for him.

I would suggest trying the PT-72 as you search for the best mpc for you.

Regards,

The Impaler · Post by **The Impaler** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:31 am

I have to agree with Barry, having found that my 983 is not terribly mouthpiece sensitive at all. That being said, I'm primarily a euphist, so even though I loved the S3 that came with it, I have the darndest time punching out the really low pedals with it, so I wanted something just slightly larger, but with the same kind of feel. After trying out quite a few, I've settled on a Houser E-C stainless steel mouthpiece, with an F rim (I use the B rim quite a bit too). Love the feel of the SS, and it gives me a little extra help in getting really low.

Tom Holtz · Post by **Tom Holtz** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:32 pm

I've had my 983 for about two months now, and it's been to a few jazz festivals and one Marine Band concert. I agree with the above--the horn sounds good and plays well with just about any mouthpiece I have. I've been moving away from sharp-rimmed mouthpieces, and the guy I got the horn from had a Dillon S-3 that came with it, and he passed it along. (Lucky me!)

I'm using the S-3 on the 983 full-time, and it's really making me happy. Comfortable rounded rims rule. Getting notes below BBb to respond isn't so much a mouthpiece issue as it is a compensating horn issue, IMHO. I've had to work on the response in the low register, and walking bass lines with a jazz band is a good way to do just that. Besson did a great job of tweaking this horn for the American market, getting the compensating notes to blow as free as possible, but it still takes some getting used to--not to mention learning the new fingerings!

I was introduced to this horn by listening to Pat play it, so I initially thought of the 983 as a soloist rig. This thing is a great ensemble horn, even with a little S-3 in it. It's got the beef to be the foundation for a jazz band, and still lets me kick a little *** in the upper register during solos. Don't go into mouthpiece-switching hell just yet. Grab a piece you are comfortable with, and then pull out the Kopprasch and Tyrell books, turn on the metronome, and spend a few weeks getting the low end to speak like you want it to. Steve I. is correct, a PT-88 or similar fishbowl is not the answer.

If you don't like how any of your pieces feel with the 983, and you're starting over from scratch, don't be afraid to get a smaller piece like a PT-72 or an S-3. The horn will still get it done.