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Experimental Plunger Mutes


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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:49 pm    Post subject: Experimental Plunger Mutes Reply with quote

I went to two local hardware stores and guess what's gone out of fashion? The plain ol' plunger you keep in the bathroom. There are all kinds of modern fancy ones, and something called a "human plunger" which I don't even want to think too much about ....

Now, I'm not too worried about this because Amazon is my friend, but this is a branch-off from another thread, where we talked about plungers a lot.

Right now I have two plastic bowls and a wooden(!) bowl I'm going to make into plunger mutes by drilling holes in the middle and installing some cabinet knobs I just got. I plan to try at least one metal bowl too.

Has anyone else experimented in search of that ultimate wah-wah sound? Maybe picked up someone's Tupperware bowl, with a bit of potato salad clinging to it, and wah-wah'd the night away at a family or church party?
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Paul Tomashefsky
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The best ones I've found are in local Mom & Pop hardware stores or sometimes ACE or True Value hardware. the more Bell-shaped the plunger is, the better in terms of sound.

https://vimeo.com/26877942
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Oncewasaplayer
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've seen Shaye Cohn with Tuba Skinny use a canning funnel for a plunger mute. You find them in the hardware store by the boxes of mason jars. They are made of plastic or metal. I'll describe it as a rounded funnel with large hole in the center, made to fit a mason jar. Despite a large hole, the funnel still creates a good plunger sound effect. It also has a ring on the outside that makes it easy to hold.

I sometimes see the smaller plunger (made for sinks) in blue plastic in hardware stores. These work fine but not with a pixie mute.

Other things I've used:
a small drinking glass -- these can really resonate
a plastic red Solo drink cup -- can get a nice buzzy sound
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jhatpro
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I recently found one on eBay like Clyde McCoy used - a vintage metal ice cream dish. That's how he got his distinctive sound on Sugar Blues.
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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah I forgot about good old Ace Hardware. I'll have to check them.

Metal dishes, for ice cream or otherwise, are what intrigue me.

I've seen players in old movies using actual metal derby hats!
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Bucaneer61
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had good luck with a larger size foam coffee cup. Try it!
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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll have to try a red Solo cup. That sounds just plain fun.

I checked a Mexican market today and ... no plungers. I'm gonna keep checking various markets and stores though, for various things to experiment with.

The thing is, there are no Ace Hardware stores near me; it's a special mission to go to one. I'm hoping I can find one in a mom'n'pop place but frankly, I'm really glad I got Amazon Prime. Because I do want at least one traditional rubber plunger to compare my experimental ones with.

I just tried the nearby Amazon Locker, and it's trivially easy to use.

Edit: This looks fun to experiment with https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Tools-Stainless-Steel-Funnel/dp/B01KKBX4GA/ref=sr_1_17?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1501652217&sr=1-17&keywords=canning+funnel
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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I spent the $35 for a plunger mute. Oddly, it works well!

Tom
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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

$35 for a plunger? What kind of plunger is it??
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Richard III
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1jazzyalex wrote:
$35 for a plunger? What kind of plunger is it??


I have one just like it:

https://www.amazon.com/Mutec-MHT160-Plunger-Mute-Trumpet/dp/B002M8HVXC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501719021&sr=8-2&keywords=trumpet+plunger+mute
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dstdenis
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a sink plunger from Home Depot for about $3. I punched a small hole through the center so it wouldn't make my pitch go quite so sharp as I tilt the plunger closer to the bell. Works fine.
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Richard III
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dstdenis wrote:
I got a sink plunger from Home Depot for about $3. I punched a small hole through the center so it wouldn't make my pitch go quite so sharp as I tilt the plunger closer to the bell. Works fine.


I got mine from the 99 cent store. Too big a diameter for my cornet. But hey, who can argue about the price. My favorite plunger is still a metal one. Got that with a cornet I bought off Ebay.
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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow a Mutec official rubber plumber's helper .... hehe. I'm trying to keep this low-budget, but who knows, that might be a good one.

As mentioned, apparently Silicon Valley is too sophisticated for a simple cheapo rubber turd-chaser, so for one of those I may have to Amazon it.

BTW, I just tried Amazon Locker and it's trivially easy to use.
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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

1jazzyalex wrote:
$35 for a plunger? What kind of plunger is it??


Hines and Berg Trixie.

I find it easier to hold.

Tom
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1jazzyalex
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ooh, that comes in neat colors too - in case you ever get a gig with The White Stripes.
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wbrenner
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have taken notice that there are a few options when purchasing a plunger that is specifically for trumpet players. Noting that some find hardware purchases that don't work as well as others, I decided to purchase a plunger that was designed for the purpose.

I found Mutec Mht160, Humes and Berg Stonelined (red and white stripes), a couple of Harmon models, and the Jo-Ral TPT-6 Aluminum. The Mutec looks the most conventional as a plunger. Are there preferences for one or more models, or am I over thinking this?
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Richard III
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're overthinking and under analyzing. Every instrument has different needs as do players. You have to experiment to find the sound you are looking for. For instance, one of my horns likes a metal plunger and sounds dead with the rubber one. Another horn just the reverse.
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giakara
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jhatpro wrote:
I recently found one on eBay like Clyde McCoy used - a vintage metal ice cream dish. That's how he got his distinctive sound on Sugar Blues.


Can't you post a picc please.

Regards
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jhatpro
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's just like these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/vtg-stainless-Vollrath-sundae-ice-cream-cup-dish-metal-pedestal-parlor-lot-set-8/152987649997?hash=item239ec647cd:g:E-cAAOSw73NawAIC
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giakara
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks

Regards
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