Helleberg II-size cup with a flat rim?

[arpthark]

Does such a mouthpiece exist? I've been playing with a Schilke Helleberg II and like most things about it except the round rim. Are there flatter-rimmed variants out there?

[Donn]

Three things to look at:

1. Conn Helleberg, nominally the 120S. It's what you're talking about and one of the most popular tuba mouthpieces ever.

2. the SSH SSH II. I've never seen one in person, but I am confident that it will have a very flat rim, the specs are pretty close, and ... it's designed by a player. Maybe someone here has one and can say more about it.

2. Faxx HB Helleberg. I have this one and the rim is better than flat, it's very slightly dished but with a similar bite. Specs are also pretty similar, if the numbers I see for the Schilke are right (32.76mm at the rim, 8.03mm at the throat.)

[Ulli]

2. the SSH SSH II. I've never seen one in person, but I am confident that it will have a very flat rim, the specs are pretty close, and ... it's designed by a player. Maybe someone here has one and can say more about it.

Yes, I have. Very flat rim and sharp inner edge.
But I prefer my SSH Classic for deep ranges and, because of the more shallow cup, my SSH MBII L for Eb and F tubas.
I feel unwell with an other than a flat rim and sharp inner edge.

[Donn]

I'm sorry to say I've never played a real Conn 120S. I bet they're pretty similar - depth and shape are sure what I would expect from other copies - but I'd be interested in a detailed comparison. The way it works out for me, it's the funnel sound in terms of the equalizer setting, so to speak, but with more clarity than usual. Not necessarily for the better - I'm using an old King 26 on my Holton because more color sounded good to me, but the Faxx is absolutely great on my 40K. As I imagine a 120S could be as well.

[jimgray]

I use and love a Kanstul 30H which is essentially a Laskey 30 cup w more of a C4 rim.
I totally dig it.

[PaulMaybery]

2. the SSH SSH II. I've never seen one in person, but I am confident that it will have a very flat rim, the specs are pretty close, and ... it's designed by a player. Maybe someone here has one and can say more about it.

I do have the Sidey classic Helleberg, actually in stainless and with the gold kote. I find that I am using it much of the time now, both on the BAT and the large F. (even the cimbasso) It is perhaps the most free blowing piece that I have, and what I like is how easy it is to color notes on it. By that I refer to how one adjusts the tongue position by way of changing vowel sounds in the oral cavity.

It seems to work equally well on the BAT and to my surprise also the F.
The flat rim, well I never thought I would care for it that much. I have learned to love it. Everything seems so much more precise. The volume of the cup and the relatively open throat allow you to put a fair amount of support behind your playing without a fear of overblowing. This I like as I find that I tend to play more efficiently with regard to the embouchure. The extra breath support makes for less tension in the sound and a smoother approach to playing.

There ya go, Just one more opinion.

[Donn]

I do have the Sidey classic Helleberg, actually in stainless and with the gold kote. I find that I am using it much of the time now, both on the BAT and the large F. (even the cimbasso) It is perhaps the most free blowing piece that I have, and what I like is how easy it is to color notes on it. By that I refer to how one adjusts the tongue position by way of changing vowel sounds in the oral cavity.

Note that this model isn't so much like a Schilke Helleberg II with a flat rim, exactly because of the larger throat that I suppose plays a role in that free blowing.