Wah Mutes and Miles Davis

Abraxas · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:14 pm Post subject: Wah Mutes and Miles Davis

Thought I'd start a fresh, generic post on the Wah mutes.

I love the sound of Miles but some say the Harmon wah mute is not a very good one and the new Ullvens are junk. I'm thinking of giving the Harmon a try but there are a few different models and materials, so which one is best ?

I heard he used the Humes & Berg Wa Wah Du All as well which I already have. It is so poorly made... not spun , but rolled and riveted, I can't even get it to stay in the bell.

So far a Richmond Precision Moulded Mute performs best, but is more baffle than the buzz that I'm after.

Any other suggestions or opinions ?

kehaulani · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 10:46 pm Post subject:

Didn't Miles play an aluminum Harmon (brand) mute?
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Abraxas · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 6:09 am Post subject:

MrOlds · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 6:28 am Post subject:

Is there a consensus on the right “Harmon” mute sound? Maybe before the 1980s. But not so much anymore.

If you’re looking for that old school sound, buy an aluminum Harmon brand mute. Then whack it against a wooden table around the circumference of seam where the top and bottom sections are joined. Play it after a few whacks. If it needs more buzz, whack it some more. Stop when you get the sound you want.

If you want something loud, with better intonation and don’t really care about how they used to sound there are bubbly alternatives.

VetPsychWars · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Wah Mutes and Miles Davis

PW-Factor · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:23 am Post subject:

I had an Aluminum Harmon in high school, a copper Jo Ral Bubble in college and beyond, and just recently got the Trumcor Singer.

I find that the positioning of the tuning slide, and the centered-ness of my embouchure, has the biggest effect on the buzz. At the same time, the Copper Jo Ral never really projected well. Only taken the Zinger out on one gig so far, and it worked very nicely with a mic, especially for the first go-round.
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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:46 am Post subject:

I'm confused. Are you looking for a mute like Miles played or are you looking for an alternate?
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Abraxas · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:03 am Post subject:

Abraxas · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Wah Mutes and Miles Davis

lipshurt · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:20 am Post subject:

The only thing that sounds like miles is Harmon brand, older version, which is different depth. Then it has to very close to the right kind of mic, one with a wide pickup pattern, and not too close. About 3 inches. 7 inches is way too far, and 1 inch will get weird dynamics which you will need to iron out later in mixing.

Only the old Harmon gets the grit is the sound the right way. Jo-real bubble mutes are good for section work but sound totally wrong for a miles sound.
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Mike Sailors · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:40 am Post subject:

The way Miles played with the Harmon is what gave it the sound everyone wants.

99.9% of all trumpet players play too loud with the harmon. Get a Harmon brand Harmon mute for cheap and learn how to play it right on the mic and soft (like Miles did).
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Abraxas · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 12:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I gave away an old Harmon a few years back and regret it. I went to the music store today and reacquainted myself with the Harmons. Yes indeed it produced the sound I wanted but was very sensitive to how much air was being put through it. I tried the copper version and thought it was even better but obviously heavier and a few more dollars. Being a skin flint with developing arthritis, I ordered an aluminum when I got home. Thanks for your insights. You know what question is coming next, but I'll start a new thread for mics.

Crazy Finn · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 4:56 pm Post subject:

The new Harmons are not great, in my opinion.
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Abraxas · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 5:18 pm Post subject:

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

Miles did play an aluminum Harmon brand mute, and to get that tone that he obtained you have to play very close to the mic, taking advantage of the proximity effect that most mics give. Unfortunately the Harmon company changed the design in the early '90's in an effort to make them more in tune, but it totally ruined the tone-the new ones are terrible. Jo-Ral bubble mutes are cool but don't have that classic tone that Miles, Lee Morgan, Eddie Henderson and others got in the '60's.'70's and '80's. You can still find vintage Harmons on eBay....
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Abraxas · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 6:13 am Post subject:

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

Good question Abraxas-I've purchase a couple on eBay in the past and the only way to know is if the seller says it's vintage and how old it is-you should be ok with one from 1990 and earlier. I got lucky once and found a Harmon from the late '50's-from that era there's no scoring lines on the side, just smooth. From the 60's on they have the lines on the side like the new ones. Happy hunting :)
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Abraxas · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:33 am Post subject:

Ya the one I got has got the lines. Good advice though. A photo of Miles Harmon is on his Wiki page near the bottom. You are right in that it has smooth sides.

Abraxas · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:10 am Post subject:

Arrived today and I am quite happy with what I got simply because unlike the other mutes I have it's not finicky on how much pressure is behind it and by that I mean I get the same amount and quality of buzz no matter how I blow it.

MrOlds.... in humor there is truth !! The way I get a good amount... ie a Miles buzz is by barely pushing it in. Unfortunately, that would make it super vulnerable to falling out. I think the only way to maintain that buzz and still have it firmly seated would be to smack it up. I'd rather a more controlled mod though.