Eb tuba mouthpiece?

CrappyEuph · Post by **CrappyEuph** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:00 am

Hey -

I'm a euphonium player, and I'm just starting to study Eb tuba as a secondary instrument. The tuba I'm using is a Willson 3400 (I think - it's an Eb and it's got pistons) and it seems pretty nice. What is a good mouthpiece to use with this horn? I have been using a Helleberg 7B, but I was thinking a smaller mouthpiece might be more appropriate, both for the horn and for me as a euph player.

Thanks,
Jamie

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:51 am

I also use a 7B sometimes. Since your chops are already adjusted to the 7B, I think I would try it first. I play both Eb and BBb and do a lot of switching back and forth. I don't do any solo work and the bulk of my playing is in a concert band environment. The bottom line, as with any mouthpiece question, is that you are going to have to do a little experimenting. Everyone's different.

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:41 am

As an amateur tuba player who sometimes plays euphonium (actually double bell euphonium

), I have found that using a totally different mouthpiece makes it easier for ME to make the switch. It prevents me from trying to use tuba embouchure on a euphonium. Of course what works for you may be totally different.

I think that the 7B is a good Eb tuba mouthpiece. Is there some reason why you think you may need a different mouthpiece? I don't think that a smaller mouthpiece is necessary, unless you are trying to get a different sound.

From what I can tell, Willson uses the model number 3400 for all of their Eb tubas. They have a 3+1 compensating piston version (TA-4), a rotary valve version (RZ-4), and a 4+1 non-comp side action piston valve version (FA-5). Look here:

http://www.swissprofi.ch/willson/instr.html

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:45 pm

I've used a 7B and a standard Helleberg with Eb tuba. I've used a PT-72, Bach 18, Bach 12, Wick 1L, Wick 2L. With the Willson 3400, you may be able to get close to a contrabass tuba sound with a larger mpc, such as the full sized Helleberg. You can also lighten things up a bit with a smaller mouthpiece. I would stay with the 7B for a while, and then experiment with other choices from time to time, to see which other mpcs give you the sound or results you're looking for. 7B should work well.

Good luck,

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:00 pm

tubafreaks7 wrote:I think ChuckG should chime in on this one.I belive he plays one of these.If he doesn't offer his two hundredths of a dollar, you might PM him. I'm shure he would be of great help.

On the subject of mouthpieces, for other than "what size shank fits in my horn" questions, I want to run away. After having lousy experience with other folks' recommendations, I've come to the conclusion that everyone's different. Some folks can get a great sound out of a Bach 32E; others sound wonderful on a Dr. Young. Go figure.

The mouthpiece that works for me on the 3400 is a plain old Conn Helleberg. If anyone's interested, I've got a lovely gold-plated ME1 that's supposed to be the cat's meow for the 3400, but it didn't do a thing for me. I'll consider selling it.

ken k · Post by **ken k** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:52 pm

I would also concur that the 7B should be a good starting point. The Willson is a big Eb tuba so I would not go much smaller than a 7B. Keep in mind even though you are playing an Eb tuba, you still need to play in the lower range (below the staff). So a good full-sized mouthpiece is a good thing. If you are playing more soloistic work or quintet work than maybe a smaller mouthpeice can help.

I play an Eb tuba for 90% of my work and I use an R&S heavyweight Helleberg most of the time. Other pieces I use if I want to lighten the sound abit are a Denis Wick 2L or 3L. When I play the upper tuba part in a tuba/euph quartet I will often use a Helleberg 7B because it helps make the constant high tessitura of that part less tiresome. FWIW I play a Boosey & Hawkes Eb similar to a Besson 981.
ken k

David Spies · Post by **David Spies** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:32 am

If you are seriously trying to find a smaller mouthpiece which works with a Willson 3400s, try the DEG ME1. It is not as small as a 7B, but it will not cause the instrument to go sharp.

David Spies
Willson Tuba Quartet

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:52 am

David Spies wrote:If you are seriously trying to find a smaller mouthpiece which works with a Willson 3400s, try the DEG ME1. It is not as small as a 7B, but it will not cause the instrument to go sharp.

Chuck(G) wrote:If anyone's interested, I've got a lovely gold-plated ME1 that's supposed to be the cat's meow for the 3400, but it didn't do a thing for me. I'll consider selling it.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:52 pm

What immediately comes to mind:

Bach 18
Wick 3 (in your preferred shank)

I'm surprised noone has mentioned the following:
Bach 25
(or reasonable facsimiles thereof)

Wick 4 or 5
(in your preferred shank size)

About half of the entire Perantucci American catalog.

If you play a BBb or C, and you have a favourite mouthpiece that works perfectly for you, then try the same rim with a little shallower cup, much like trumpet players might use a Bach 3C for all around work and a 3D for piccolo or lead. That way you will have the minimum transition time getting used to another mouthpiece.

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