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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:49 pm Post subject: Experimental Plunger Mutes |
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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? _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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Paul Tomashefsky Heavyweight Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 733 Location: Worcester, MA
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ "Life Beats down and CRUSHES the soul, and Art reminds you that you have one" Stella Adler
"Music washes away the Dust of Everyday Life"
Art Blakey
"If you practice...It will come" Field of Trumpet Dreams |
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Oncewasaplayer Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 974
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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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! _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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Bucaneer61 Veteran Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Buckhannon, WV
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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I've had good luck with a larger size foam coffee cup. Try it! _________________ Selmer Radial Bb ML - Jan., 1972
Selmer Radial C XL - Jan., 1972
Getzen 580S cornet - c. 1973
Blessing Artist Flugelhorn, rose brass bell
Accent Picc by B & S
Conn 28B Concert Grand Bb - 1925
Martin Handcraft Imperial - 1937 |
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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:43 am Post subject: |
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I spent the $35 for a plunger mute. Oddly, it works well!
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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$35 for a plunger? What kind of plunger is it?? _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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Richard III Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2665 Location: Anacortes, WA
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dstdenis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 May 2013 Posts: 2123 Location: Atlanta GA
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi |
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Richard III Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2665 Location: Anacortes, WA
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Richard
Today's Trumpet: 1937 Cleveland Toreador
1903 Conn "The Wonder" Cornet
1943 Conn 80A Cornet |
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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:49 am Post subject: |
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1jazzyalex wrote: | $35 for a plunger? What kind of plunger is it?? |
Hines and Berg Trixie.
I find it easier to hold.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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1jazzyalex Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2016 Posts: 569 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Ooh, that comes in neat colors too - in case you ever get a gig with The White Stripes. _________________ Yamaha 8335LA with Blessing 3C, 5C, Schilke 11A4A |
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wbrenner Regular Member
Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Anaheim, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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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 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 2665 Location: Anacortes, WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Richard
Today's Trumpet: 1937 Cleveland Toreador
1903 Conn "The Wonder" Cornet
1943 Conn 80A Cornet |
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giakara Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 3833 Location: Greece
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Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:07 am Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 and 800 LB cornets
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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giakara Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 3833 Location: Greece
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Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:28 am Post subject: |
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Thanks
Regards _________________ Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 and 800 LB cornets
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs |
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