Good cup mute for tuning

thesplitmeister · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:00 pm Post subject: Good cup mute for tuning

Hi guys,
over the last 10 years or so I have alternated between using a Humes+Berg cup or a Wick adjustable (H+B for big band, Wick for orchestral/legit gigs) and have found they both play reasonable well in tune with other trumpets/brass instruments, that also are muted.
However, in the show I'm playing at the moment I'm having to tune to woodwind while muted, the standard is extremely high and I feel that my equipment is letting me down. It may just be a matter of re-corking my mutes but are there any better makes/models out there in your experience that these two?
Thanks in advance
Jim

Uberopa · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject:

Hi,

The Facet wood cup mute is simply awesome. Great intonation and sound. Bruce is very nice to work with and will guide you to the right wood choice rather like a good wine waiter

I really like mine and I also have an H&B and a copper model. The Facet sounds better than either and both of those sound better than a Wick.

Cheers,

Brian

KMT · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 324

I got one of the new H&B metal adjustable mutes a few months back, since then almost all of my colleagues have purchased one. Great mute, has the sound of the original H&B and the quality of the Wick. Excellent mute.

benlewis · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:18 pm Post subject:

If it's a musical and you need to blend with the woodwinds, I'd suggest an H & B Mic-A-Mute. It's very close in sound to the Ray Robinson, but is easily obtainable. I use it quite a bit and find the intonation and, more importantly, the sound is very appropriate for shows. I'm doing a month run of Chicago and it works great for that.

HTH

Ben

Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3122

wiemelen · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:44 am Post subject:

+1 for the Facet "Sitka Spruce"

It has a really nice and warm sound.
Tuning is better then other cupmutes I own (Charlie Davies en Wick)
btw Maarten, again thank you for recommending this one

_________________
Trumpet : Yamaha YTR-6335H
Trumpet mouthpiece : GR L66,9B + GR 67C-TZ + Bach 1,5 C
Cornet : Conn 80a (1919)
Cornet mouthpiece : GR L66,9 #6
DWRW 3B

Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3122

thesplitmeister · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:40 am Post subject:

cheers guys, I've just contacted the people at facet mutes asking for their recommendation, I've been looking at Mic-a-mute too for the jazzier show stuff.
Out of interest has anyone got any experience of the Jo-Ral cups? I'm a big fan of their straights and harmons so would assume that the same level of quality transfers to the cups, however I've not seen many people using them.

benlewis · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:47 am Post subject:

I have a Jo-Ral cup, but never use it. The sound is very close to the Wick without the adjustability. Another good option is the Yamaha adjustable cup. I have one and using some self-stick felt, I lined the inside of the cup. This allows a nice intimate sound when snugged up to the bell.

Actually, I use the felt rings from the Jo-Ral far more than the mute itself…

HTH

Ben

Jerry · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:41 am Post subject: