Facet Mutes - New Wooden Mutes

Frank Fezishin · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: Facet Mutes - New Wooden Mutes

The music business is a tough one. But through our musical friends, we receive help, advice, and most of all encouragement, which makes it a lifestyle that I'm happy to have. One of my good friends, Bruce Lee, and his partner (Don Davis) are making wooden mutes, and I would like to tell you a little about them.

Like any of the rest of you, I already own many mutes, which I use for different needs. About 20-25 years ago, I came across some handmade wooden straight mutes made in Hungary by an old man. They were very special, light as feather, perfect intonation...etc, so I bought all he had at that time (four to be exact)

I gave The New York Philharmonic 3 of them. They wanted mine, too. But, since the fellow who was making them had died, I knew that I could never replace it.

Well, I received big surprise a couple weeks ago.... a package of wooden mutes. They are all different types of wood, all beautiful, light weight.. etc. Samples of Facet Mutes (straight mutes) that Bruce wanted me to try.

I have been playing them, and I have to say that they are very special! I noticed that each one has a slight difference of sound quality, because of the wood it is made from.

Depending on what kind of music we have to play sometime we need a softer sound we can not deliver with a metal mute. That is when we need a perfect wooden mute ! For example: Gershwin, "An American in Paris", Debussy, "Fêtes", Ravel, "Daphnis et Chloe" (Suite No.2), and especially Shostakovitch Concerto for piano (and trumpet) and Orchestra Op.35, just to name a few. I would love to hear a whole trumpet section playing on these mutes. What a special sound they would have!

I think that if you tried them, you would want to have at least one or two. I say this because I have had a hard time trying to decide on one favorite, because they all play very well. The web site where you can see them and order is www.facetmutes.com.

Musically,
Frank Fezishin

I hope nobody minds that I changed the title of my post (so I can find it). I think it works better like this.
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trpt.pete. · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:28 pm Post subject:

This looks really interesting something I want to try. Do you know if they will trial some or is it fairly custom like a made to order deal.
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Bruce Lee · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:06 pm Post subject:

ChopsGone · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 1793

If they're good enough for Frank Fezishin, they're certainly worth a try. I just ordered mine. Thanks for posting.
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Don Lee · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:55 am Post subject:

Wow, innovative and beautiful!

Mikester · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 374

Bruce has been my trumpet guru for years. He has a wealth of knowledge both about playing and gear.

The Facet mute I have plays very nice. Even in all registers, does not create back much pressure, response very well to different types of attacks.

When I first brought it to big band, I let another trumpet player use it for a solo. What a head turner! Sax line spun around to see what he was playing. This particular model is great for solo's. Has a very nice tone without the harshness of a metal mute.

Regarding the comment about "An American in Paris" solo, this is a spot on mute for that application.

I will be looking for more solo applications to use this mute!

Bruce can answer questions about the particular mute I have.

ThatDude · Veteran Member Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 372

The mutes look very interesting, but the mutes would be much more aesthetically pleasing if the wood was rounded out and stained.
Also, a start up operation such as this, REALLY needs to provide various clips of the mutes been played by good players. Without it, most potential buyers would not be motivated enough to buy.

_Daff · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 1431

the cleaner · Regular Member Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 29

Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3377

Bruce,
I tried to log in on your site since I wanted to order two of your mutes, but can't proceed because my shipping address is not in the US (I'm in Spain).
Can you help?

Mike,
Would you mind telling us which one you bought?

With kindest regards,
MvW.

bebop · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:18 pm Post subject: Facet mute

I also own a facet mute. Mine is a maple facet mute. I teach high school so I asked my high school trumpet players to listen for a difference in my mutes. I played the same line on my metal straight and my maple facet mute. They all said the facet was louder or projected more. I know it sounds better behind the horn than my metal straight mute but I thought it wouldn't project as good as the straight mute. I guess I was wrong. I also brought them to my one of my big band rehearsals and let the rest of the section play on them. Everyone really liked how the maple facet sounded .

I think the big deal with these mutes is that they sound good to the player , but they really project. I can't wait to try some of the other models. I also heard facet has a trombone mute, which my son wants to get.

Jim

Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3377

ThatDude · Veteran Member Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 372

Don Lee · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject:

veery715 · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject:

To make a rounded-out mute would require many more facets because turning them with the current configuration would break through the thickness before roundness was achieved. IMO, as someone who turns wood on a lathe, it would not be practical to make them with facets and then round them on the lathe. Not at a reasonable cost, anyway.
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Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3377

bixtone · Veteran Member Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 162

I just received my Zebrawood Facet cup mute, which I ordered last week after seeing this thread. I have to say it is very cool! Here's a mini-review:
First of all, the level of craftsmanship is outstanding and the mute looks great. It is beautifully put together, the joints are all all very expertly done and the zebrawood is finished in a nice light stain/finish which brings out the grain. There are five corks that are shaped to match the 'facets' of the mute body; the mute fit correctly in the horn without sanding. The mute comes with a cool velvet drawstring bag which can double as a 'crown royal' type mute if need be. It fit just fine in my Bonna double which is my usual case.

I tested the mute out with a few of my other cup mutes, including a Denis Wick, a vintage Shastock, and emo and a Ray Robinson and it compared very favorably. It has a really nice warm tone, which projects more than the Wick and is not as edgy as the Shastock. Intonation was great, and the mute does not back up on the low notes at all. It definitely sounds warmer than the metal or fiber mutes. Bruce had warned me that it might be a little heavy as the wood is very dense, but I really didn't notice it any more than with the other mutes. I use mutes all the time for the music I play (30's swing) and I think this is going to be my go-to mute.

I'm very pleasantly surprised. For 70 bucks it's a great deal, Bruce and Don's customer service was first class, which is rare enough these days. All together a good experience!
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veery715 · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject:

I am wondering about the chance of a facetmute surviving hitting the floor. And of the possibility of affixing a cord which could loop around your bell and prevent such should one come loose.
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Bruce Lee · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:53 am Post subject:

veery715 · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

Good answer, Bruce!! (shades of Family Feud)

I think of hardwood flooring as the typical thing found underfoot on stage. And while metal mutes will dent, wood would (sorry) probably break instead - not at the glue line either. But the construction looks robust and I imagine they'd be OK.

Hope you sell many (thousands).

Thanks.

asher
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veery715
Hear me sing!: https://youtu.be/vtJ14MV64WY
Playing trumpet - the healthy way to blow your brains out.