Mute Recommendations

[LowerSlower]

Time to replace the harmon (Jo-Ral "bubble" in copper) and straight (down to one cork).

I despise the sound of the straight mute, but may be doing more big band playing and will need one.

Any recommendations?

Thank you.
_________________
"Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny"
Frank Zappa, 1974

[dschwab]

Jo-Ral bubble aluminum
Soulo straight

[Dayton]

The TrumCor Zinger is my favorite Harmon-type mute. As for straight mutes, I'm a fan of those with copper bottoms (but not all copper). The TrumCor is my favorite copper bottom mute, but the Soulo, Tom Crown, and even the Denis Wick are fine (and less expensive).

[jkarnes0661]

+1 for the Trumcor Zinger, it's the most responsive harmon-style mute that I have (I have a Harmon, Mutec, Charlie Davis, and Joral Bubble for comparison). It's also the loudest which makes it great for live, unamplified big band shows. Once in a while there's an orchestral concert where I need one of the others for a different color or lower-volume sound but the Zinger is the one in my bag most often.

For straight I like the Mutec copper bottom straight mute. Better intonation than the Dennis Wick for me but much of the same color and volume projection.
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Jonathan Karnes
Grand Rapids, MI
jonathankarnes.com

[TJTS]

I’m a big fan of the Huber straight. Can change out the bottom for the sound that you are looking for!
_________________
Michael | Owner
www.thejazztrumpetstore.com
Vintage Professional Trumpet Store

[SunRa]

+1 Soulo Straight
Best straight mute I've ever played on; it does not "stuff up" the horn like others I have owned.
I am sure the others are great as well, so try to find players around you with different straight mutes so you can formulate your own opinion for your specific preferences and style.
_________________
1977 Getzen Eterna Doc Severinsen
1959 Conn Connstellation 38b
1954 Olds Super
1905 Conn Connqueror Cornet
1930's Conn Cavalier Cornet

[Rhondo]

You could always just replace the cork on your straight mute, unless there’s something else wrong with it.

Huber has a one piece straight mute as well as the modular straight (TJTS mentions) that comes with 2 screw in bottoms. He also sells a buzz base that can be used on that modular straight mute as well. Video demos on his website.
- I don’t have any of these, but just got his cup mute that’s of nice quality.

[Dayton]

[Andy Cooper]

Original Tom Crown straight in aluminum - it's the sound I like.

Bach Elite with the cone indentation with stainless steel bottom if they still make it. (The Bach is a loud mute - I use it for outside stuff. If you drop it, you may damage the flooring.

Nice to have a Shastock but a good one will cost you. A pretty good substitute is the ProTech Vulcan.

The Vulcan is a total fiber mute (same material as drum cases). For less than $20 shipped. Take the orange thing off the end and store the mute in a tennis ball can. Very nice rich fiber mute sound that sounds good in a section - but thin wall construction - you just can't bang it around like a metal mute.

Please note - most mutes need their corks filed until low F# pops out solid.

[zaferis]

Replace the corks, get any dents worked out. Would have to be in amazingly bad condition to need totally get rid of the mute.
With the Bubble Mute, un dent and replace the cork with EVA foam (self-adhesive sheets available at hobby stores and online)

new mutes:

Straight - Denis Wick, or Jo-Ral
Harmon - Jo-Ral copper bubble, or Soulo, Zinger
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Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[Tpt_Guy]

[zaferis]

I always want to add to any discussion about mute(s), is that you must consider application and blend.
Different designs, and material have different tonal qualities; you should consider blend within groups that you're playing with.

I'll use the Tom Crown St. mute as an example (because it was mentioned earlier) - I love the sound too, however it does not blend well with Vacchiano's or Denis Wick's . I like using mine for solo work, but when it comes to section work I carry a Denis Wick st. or Jo-Ral copper bottom st. So, you really should pay attention to what those around you are using and match mutes as best you can.

Recently attended a Josh Rzepka presentation comparing many mutes, he had a great statement: Who's playing them (mutes), where, and what application? i.e. Soulo mutes which are being used by LA players who do a lot of recording studio work - so sound great mic'd up close - Do they sound as good live when you're pushing them more? I've noticed that my Soulo Harmon when pushed dynamically doesn't respond as well.
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[Dayton]