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Harmon Mute Recommendation


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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:34 am    Post subject: Harmon Mute Recommendation Reply with quote

I love my H&B Wah Wah Du-All "Harmon mute", but it weighs a metric crap-ton, and my wrist is not what it used to be.

I need recommendations for a straight-sided Harmon. I have the H&B bubble for when I want such a thing, so please do not recommend the bubble.

I see the Harmon Model B, the Mutec, the Wick... any of those markedly better? Also, I need an aluminum mute, not copper.

If you have a vintage mute in good condition (no dents), I might be interested.

Tom
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TKSop
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not a fan of the Wicks at all (comfortably least favourite of any harmon-type mute I've ever used or heard).


I recall weighing all the ones I had a while ago for a thread, done a quick google to find it for you (though obviously the copper Harmon brand and the bubble aren't relevant):

(WoS= without stem, WS = with stem)
- H&B wawah du all - 165.8g WS - 130.5g WoS
- H&B wawah du all (with all paint removed) - 146.2g WS - 114.8g WoS
- JoRal copper bubble - 193.1g WS - 157.7g WoS
- Harmon brand copper - 164.2g WS - 134.8g WoS
- Denis Wick - 86.6g WS - 68.5g WoS



What's interesting is just how much weight in the H&B is down to paint - though I think the biggest problem is that it's very bottom-heavy, so it *feels* heavier than it is either way.
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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're right, it's mostly balance.

The lacquer is really thick on the H&B.

Horn Trader is selling the Emo brand....

Tom
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Ed Kennedy
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Emo is my favorite, it is very light and has a buzz that will cut through. I also have a Joral bubble for section work with other "bubble heads" and a copper Harmon brand which sounds great but has intonation issues.
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Turkle
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 on the Emo. It's definitely the lightest one I've ever used and has a very loud buzz. I play a very lightweight horn (8310z) and I love the Emo because it doesn't unbalance the trumpet. It's also quite in tune for a Harmon, at any rate.

I haven't tried the Trumcor "Zinger," does anyone know if those are light or heavy?
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trumpet.sanity
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an old Harmon mute, and agree about the weight.

Ever thought of sanding it down? I had a friend's Harmon I played, and the weight, response and buzz was insane. I couldn't figure out why his played so much better than mine.

He told me he how he sanded his down, to almost half the weight. I tried it with my copper Harmon, and holy cow!! What a difference.

Intonation is still wonky, but manageable
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MrOlds
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like the Best Brass Harmon. Pricy but sounds good.
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Mike Sailors
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Charley Davis aluminum harmon.
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Uberopa
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,
I have not tried the Emo which is spoken of quite highly.
I have tried or owned many of the usual suspects. I can concur with the Best Brass recommendation. It is vey light with a ferocious buzz. It is a bit fragile if one is careless with it. I am waiting on the Soulo harmon style mute. Their cup and straight mutes are terrific.
Brian
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AJCarter
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Harmon brand seems to have quite a few models available on their website, and I've heard OK things about the Mutec ones too.

If you like your bubble but it's too heavy, why not go with an aluminum one? the Jo-Ral aluminum is pretty light.
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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AJCarter wrote:
Harmon brand seems to have quite a few models available on their website, and I've heard OK things about the Mutec ones too.

If you like your bubble but it's too heavy, why not go with an aluminum one? the Jo-Ral aluminum is pretty light.


The H&B bubble is aluminum, and it sounds a lot better to me than the Jo-Ral; I tried them both and sold the Jo-Ral (Hi, Eric!).

H&B Harmon and bubble are heavyweight.

Tom
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Odneal's Inferno
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the Humes and Berg, Jo Ral (both) and most recently bought the Trumcorp on Doc's endorsement. I will compair them but at the moment I use the Trumcorp. The Humes & Berg is a loud mute and I have used it in big bands successfully.
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dstdenis
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Turkle wrote:
I haven't tried the Trumcor "Zinger," does anyone know if those are light or heavy?

The Trumcor Zinger is light weight. It plays well in tune for a harmon mute. I've found it cuts through even when I just relax and don't try to push it too hard.
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Turkle
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

dstdenis wrote:
Turkle wrote:
I haven't tried the Trumcor "Zinger," does anyone know if those are light or heavy?

The Trumcor Zinger is light weight. It plays well in tune for a harmon mute. I've found it cuts through even when I just relax and don't try to push it too hard.


Thanks! This mute has been on my radar for a long time, I'll eventually order one...
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Lawler Bb
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

VetPsychWars wrote:
AJCarter wrote:
Harmon brand seems to have quite a few models available on their website, and I've heard OK things about the Mutec ones too.

If you like your bubble but it's too heavy, why not go with an aluminum one? the Jo-Ral aluminum is pretty light.


The H&B bubble is aluminum, and it sounds a lot better to me than the Jo-Ral; I tried them both and sold the Jo-Ral (Hi, Eric!).

H&B Harmon and bubble are heavyweight.

Tom

Hey, thanks for selling me an inferior sounding mute! I second Mike's recommendation of the Charles Davis aluminum harmon (they are excellent-I have the copper version and really like it), and also trust Steve Dillard's (HornTrader) recommendation of the Emo. He has videos of the Emo on his website and YouTube.
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trumpet.sanity
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Of all the mutes mentioned, besides buzz and weight, do you guys think one has better intonation than another?

I have a Harmon, and the intonation is a drag. I had a Jo-ral, but also got rid of it because even after sanding, was too heavy for me, and again intonation was an issue.

I know intonation is always going to be an issue, but which do you guys think has the least intonation issues?
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trpthrld
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

trumpet.sanity wrote:
I know intonation is always going to be an issue, but which do you guys think has the least intonation issues?

I have a copper JoRal that about 5 years ago replaced my reduced-weight JoRal. The intonation on it is surprisingly good, and I have to move the tuning slide only a little to get it spot-on. I do that only for extended Harmon passages.

Not knowing anything about your performance experience, I find that young players overcompensate for the back-pressure of a Harmon by blowing too hard.

Something that I found that helps with Harmon pitch is I don't blow hard when it's in. Focused & energized air yes, but blowing hard - nope. If the Harmon passage needs to be brought out, I lean into the mic.

If it's a no-mic situation and the Harmons are getting covered up by the band, that means the band is not listening, and something should be said about that to the band leader. The sound of an overblown Harmon is not a good sound - there's no "shimmer," like what should be produced.
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iiipopes
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My old original Harmon, which my Mom purchased for me NOS when I was in high school in the mid-'70's, and was at least ten years old forgotten on the back of a shelf then, is aluminum, light weight, has the curve that with the cork fits the bell properly and securely, and maintains the signature tone with excellent intonation.
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dstdenis
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

trumpet.sanity wrote:
Of all the mutes mentioned, besides buzz and weight, do you guys think one has better intonation than another?

I have a Trumcor Zinger and a Joral Aluminum Bubble mute. The intonation on both is quite good. (And pay close attention to what trpthrld (Tim Wendt) wrote about how to play a harmon mute--he knows what he's talking about and this advice is great.)

For me, the main differences between these mutes are that the Trumcor Zinger is lighter weight, and it keeps buzzing as I get softer, past the point where the Joral Bubble stops buzzing (not completely, but the buzzing mostly fades out, leaving that pillowy, soft harmon mute sound). For these reasons, I prefer the Trumcor Zinger, although the Joral Bubble is still a fine mute and I would be happy to use it if I didn't have the Zinger.
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trumpet.sanity
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I'm sold on the idea...just ordered a Zinger.

For $85 bucks, it's worth my curiously. If I don't like it I'm sure I can sell it for a quick $50.

The intonation and buzz are what I'm really frustrated with on my other harmons ive had. Lets see if this can help me out.

Thanks guys!!
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