Mutes for University

[Yosef: Tubist]

Here at Appalachian State we currently own three OLD Humes and Berg mutes. These mutes fit only some select tubas. They don't, however, fit the tubas belonging to those of us in Wind Ensemble. We had been using Cardboard folders (which we think sound fine), but our Director said that we have the money to purchase mutes, I just need to put together a list of what we need and they'll purchase it...

I was just wondering what mutes the tubenet population would recommend for University use, to be shared and used in many different brands and sizes of tubas.

[Roger Lewis]

the big question, to make the best determination, would be - just which types and models of instruments are these going to be used in? For euphoniums and smaller tuba bells I would recommend the R&S plastic mutes - because they are indestructible.

For other applications, the Apperson or Nate Griffith mutes or the fiber Hume and Berg mutes might work better. The Balu mutes are great, but they are expensive and those velcro corks will turn up missing in about a week.

Trumcor mutes are also good, but also expensive. As tuba players we are at a disadvvantage as most trumpet and trombone bells have similar flares, whereas there are a lot of different tuba bells and flares. We are not a "one size fits all" community.

Just my $0.02.

Peace.
Roger

[Yosef: Tubist]

Money aside... what's the best mute out there... and remember... we're looking for something primarily for the windensemble.. most ppl in this group own there own tuba and therefore we can't predict what ppl will have down the road

right now we have a king 2341, Getzen CB 50, and my Kalison DS...


the balu are looking pretty good because of the adjustablity and i dont' think we'd have to worry about corks going missing... our equipment manager is a pretty intimidating guy

[ken k]

Th eR&S tuba mutes look interestingand have a certain amount of adjustability in the rubber mounting points.

ken k

[ken k]

the big question, to make the best determination, would be - just which types and models of instruments are these going to be used in? For euphoniums and smaller tuba bells I would recommend the R&S plastic mutes - because they are indestructible.

For other applications, the Apperson or Nate Griffith mutes or the fiber Hume and Berg mutes might work better. The Balu mutes are great, but they are expensive and those velcro corks will turn up missing in about a week.

Trumcor mutes are also good, but also expensive. As tuba players we are at a disadvvantage as most trumpet and trombone bells have similar flares, whereas there are a lot of different tuba bells and flares. We are not a "one size fits all" community.

Just my $0.02.

Peace.
Roger

Hello Roger, which R&S mute would be best for a 20 " Boosey & Hawkes (Besson 981) Eb tuba bell? I have been considering getting one myself since the price of those mutes is very reasonable.

ken k

[Roger Lewis]

go with scooby on this one. The Denis Wick is perfect for your horn. The R&S have some adjustability to them, but I would need to take a look at the bell flare to see how well it would work. Up to a 17 3/4 bell they are great, after that depending on the actual flare you can reach the law of diminishing returns. I have one of the Besson horns in the showroom so I will check it out later this week and let you know. I also found a brand new Besson 995 CC in silver that apparently had been misplaced. Cool! Now all I have to do is find that F tuba......

Peace.
Roger

[ken k]

go with scooby on this one. The Denis Wick is perfect for your horn. The R&S have some adjustability to them, but I would need to take a look at the bell flare to see how well it would work. Up to a 17 3/4 bell they are great, after that depending on the actual flare you can reach the law of diminishing returns. I have one of the Besson horns in the showroom so I will check it out later this week and let you know. I also found a brand new Besson 995 CC in silver that apparently had been misplaced. Cool! Now all I have to do is find that F tuba......

Peace.
Roger

I would imagine the DW mute would work well with the B&H/Besson tubas but they also cost 3 times as much. And for a mute that I will use once every 5 years I can justify spending $250. While the 981 has a large bell, the throat of the bell is actually rather narrow, which is why I am thinking the RS mute looks like a good option. The only way to tell I realize is to try them out. Won't be in the Indiana area anytime soon unfortunately.

ken k