Yet Again...asking for moutpiece advice
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mTaUrBkA
- 3 valves
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- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:35 pm
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Yet Again...asking for moutpiece advice
I play a mirafone 186. I have a Miraphone TU29 mp, and a bach 24AW. My high range is better on the 24AW, but low range is better on TU29. I would like to find something in between the two, but a little bit closer to the TU29 than the 24AW. Any advice?
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Steve Inman
- 4 valves
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- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:48 am
TU29: Mouthpiece , Mouthpiece TU29, Tuba, cup very deep, cup depth 44,1 mm (1,736 inch), bore 8,2 mm (0,323 inch), cup diameter 33,0 mm (1,299 inch), silver plated
24AW: Deep 31.25mm Rim shape: Wide, well rounded.
I once measured my Conn Helleberg at about 32.75mm -- very close to my Bach 12. A Wick 1L is supposed to be about 32.5mm.
From these three, I would recommend the Helleberg for a bit darker sound and the Conn 12 for a bit brighter sound. I have used both with a 186CC, and liked the results.
However, if you want something closer to "half way" between the two you mentioned, then the Conn Helleberg 7B would be a good choice.
I would start by play-testing the Helleberg, Helleberg 7B and the Bach 12.
Good luck,
24AW: Deep 31.25mm Rim shape: Wide, well rounded.
I once measured my Conn Helleberg at about 32.75mm -- very close to my Bach 12. A Wick 1L is supposed to be about 32.5mm.
From these three, I would recommend the Helleberg for a bit darker sound and the Conn 12 for a bit brighter sound. I have used both with a 186CC, and liked the results.
However, if you want something closer to "half way" between the two you mentioned, then the Conn Helleberg 7B would be a good choice.
I would start by play-testing the Helleberg, Helleberg 7B and the Bach 12.
Good luck,
Steve Inman
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
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SplatterTone
- 5 valves
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- Location: Tulsa, OK
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If you don't mind a post from a non-expert who has been going through, and is still going through, this mouthpiece discovery business for a while ...
The 24AW is plenty capable of low bass. You can learn to relax on the smaller mouthpiece and get just as solid low bass as on the bigger mouthpiece. You might be able to make the low bass louder on the big mouthpiece if loud is the main objective; but after getting the hang of using the smaller moutpiece, the low bass is just as easy on the 24AW if it doesn't have to be roof rattling loud. I usually play on mouthpieces in the size range of the 24AW, but on the last verse of a hymn, when the pipe organ and band are going to cut loose, I'll sometimes switch to a bigger mouthpiece.
For experimenting, I stay with the non-exotic lines of mouthpieces: Faxx, Yamaha, UMI/Conn, and Bach. Faxx makes a "Helleberg" that is in between the sizes you list, and it's cheap. It won't cost you much to try it. Cheap is good. Cheap = buy more mouthpieces = more experimenting.
My current favorite mouthpieces are the Yamaha 66DF4 and UMI 1792-2. The Yamaha 66D4 plays similar to the 24AW, but with a slighty deeper tone and has the biggest throat size of the entire Yamaha line. The UMI 1792-2 feels a little bigger than the 66D4 and 24AW (don't know if it actually is), but has characteristics similar to them. I get solid bass out of the Yamaha and UMI, and the inside diameter is still small enough that I can get a fair percentage of my upper notes out in a reasonable musical way.
Faxx and Yamaha are sold by wwbw.
UMI/Conn and Yamaha are sold by giardinelli.
The 24AW is plenty capable of low bass. You can learn to relax on the smaller mouthpiece and get just as solid low bass as on the bigger mouthpiece. You might be able to make the low bass louder on the big mouthpiece if loud is the main objective; but after getting the hang of using the smaller moutpiece, the low bass is just as easy on the 24AW if it doesn't have to be roof rattling loud. I usually play on mouthpieces in the size range of the 24AW, but on the last verse of a hymn, when the pipe organ and band are going to cut loose, I'll sometimes switch to a bigger mouthpiece.
For experimenting, I stay with the non-exotic lines of mouthpieces: Faxx, Yamaha, UMI/Conn, and Bach. Faxx makes a "Helleberg" that is in between the sizes you list, and it's cheap. It won't cost you much to try it. Cheap is good. Cheap = buy more mouthpieces = more experimenting.
My current favorite mouthpieces are the Yamaha 66DF4 and UMI 1792-2. The Yamaha 66D4 plays similar to the 24AW, but with a slighty deeper tone and has the biggest throat size of the entire Yamaha line. The UMI 1792-2 feels a little bigger than the 66D4 and 24AW (don't know if it actually is), but has characteristics similar to them. I get solid bass out of the Yamaha and UMI, and the inside diameter is still small enough that I can get a fair percentage of my upper notes out in a reasonable musical way.
Faxx and Yamaha are sold by wwbw.
UMI/Conn and Yamaha are sold by giardinelli.
Good signature lines: http://tinyurl.com/a47spm
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SplatterTone
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:17 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Contact:
"Light the corner where you are."the post went into hyperspace
Even if it is hyperspace.
Good signature lines: http://tinyurl.com/a47spm
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mTaUrBkA
- 3 valves
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- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:35 pm
- Location: Urbana, IL
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SplatterTone
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:17 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Contact:
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Lee Stofer
- 4 valves
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:50 am
I have found that, at certain points in my development as a musician, that I was directed to a certain study exercise, solo piece, or particulary some piece of equipment like a new mouthpiece, that I did not initially like or have instant great results with.
You may not like a Helleberg mouthpiece initially, but it may be just the thing to bring your playing to the next level. If it just does not work after giving it a really good chance to work, then you might want to try the Bach 12, still Bach-shaped but a bit larger than the 24AW. I have personally found that the Mike Finn MF3 really does good things to the sound of a Mirafone 186, and it is available as an MF3-B, with a Bach-like rim. I wish you all the best in your quest,
You may not like a Helleberg mouthpiece initially, but it may be just the thing to bring your playing to the next level. If it just does not work after giving it a really good chance to work, then you might want to try the Bach 12, still Bach-shaped but a bit larger than the 24AW. I have personally found that the Mike Finn MF3 really does good things to the sound of a Mirafone 186, and it is available as an MF3-B, with a Bach-like rim. I wish you all the best in your quest,
Lee A. Stofer, Jr.
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mTaUrBkA
- 3 valves
- Posts: 251
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:35 pm
- Location: Urbana, IL
I tryed the helleberg for a good 3 months, it just doesn't suit me. I have been having trouble finding a mp comparison chart with mirafone mps on it. I would like to find a mirafone mp inbetween the TU29 and the 24AW I think because I think I would probably just like a mirafone mouthpiece thats a little bit smaller. Does anyone know of a music store in either NH or MA that would let me try mouthpieces out?