Best Plunger mute?

deleted_user_1dac1c5 · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

I know I can use a sink plunger or normal plunger or buy one, but I honestly have no idea which one to get that sounds good. Please enlighten me on this subject! Thank you!

VetPsychWars · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject:

I use a Humes and Berg Tuxedo plunger, myself. Yes, I know it costs more.

But I dislike playing with plumbing tools.

They also still make the Glenn Miller plunger mutes that the Miller band used in the 30s.

Tom
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Adam V · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:24 pm Post subject:

The small, blue sink plungers found at Rite Aid. The standard terracotta-colored plungers are too big for trumpet, and are best saved for use on trombone.
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gchun01 · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Mar 2013 Posts: 270

Be it a sink plunger or specially music made plunger mute, I always prefer an oversized plunger. It's easier for me to manipulate/manage the pitch when the plunger "bowl" is larger.

I usually use a plunger the size a tenor trombonist would use. The red and white Humes and Berg rubber plunger (with built in finger ring) also works well for me. I don't know if it is still being made since I don't see it in their catalog.

I also prefer rubber since you can bend it to allow how much air/sound comes out.

cheiden · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:44 pm Post subject:

I hear you can buy a newfangled coconut mute for that!

I personally like the smaller (maybe 4-5") garden variety plunger but I can't always find them at the hardware store. I'll look the next time I'm at Rite Aid.
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gbdeamer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 2301

giakara · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject:

I prefer a P&H London rubber plunger for my trumpet (lite and easy with nice tuninig) and a terrific vintage Shastock white T.Dorsey plunger for my cornet (realy old time sound specialy when i mached it with a old no name pixie i have ) , the rubber H&B did works for me i prefer the Humes and Berg Tuxedo plunger and also i have try many others until to find the one i like , dont forget to mension the cheap but very good EMO plastic plunger.

Regards
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dmb · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Best Plunger mute?

cheiden · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 3:46 pm Post subject:

From what I can see the 6" is most common. And I've heard guys make it sound good but I always struggle to hold and move it it so I prefer the 4-4.5".
http://www.oatey.com/brands/harvey/products/drain-and-waste-system-cleaners/drain-cleaning-chemicals-tools/harvey-plungers
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

gbdeamer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 2301

VetPsychWars · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:12 pm Post subject:

LittleRusty · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject:

gchun01 · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Mar 2013 Posts: 270

Adam V · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:08 pm Post subject:

Ole · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 123

One of my favorite plunger mute scenes is in the 1980 Blues Brothers movie.
Cab Calloway is belting out Minnie the Moocher and Alan Rubin aka " Mr. Fabulous" is growling away with a gold painted sink plunger.

pinstriper · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject:

pinstriper · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Plunger mute

HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

I switched to the Jo-Ral aluminum plunger mute several years ago and would never go back to a rubber plumber's plunger. The Jo-Ral is lightweight, extremely easy to handle and produces the same sound as my rubber plumber's plunger produced. Here's a link:

http://www.wwbw.com/Jo-Ral-TPT-6-Aluminum-Trumpet-Plunger-Mute-471839-i1417794.wwbw
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AJCarter · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject:

I have one of the small blue sink plungers and it works fine. I also have one of the H&B Glenn Miller plungers, matched with short mute for when the pair is needed. Otherwise I just use my blue one.

Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

Worth repeating...Working with Snooky for some years, I LOVED the blue rubber plunger he used and never could find one similar. It was quite a bit larger in diameter than the red rubber ones you see everywhere and the newer blue plastic ones popping up. In Japan with a tour, I wandered into the equivalent of a Lowe's store and found the exact plunger. It was the same blue and the same size. I bought a few for myself and friends plus one to replace Snooky's old one which he had glued together with silicone seal and cords. You just trimmed the inner lip off and it really is the best I've found. Big enough volume for use with a "Pixie" mute if desired and the sound without is correct. I have yet to see them anywhere else unfortunately but for sure they are available in Japan. Another plunger story concerning Clark Terry. He was in Canada and somehow his plunger came up missing. He went into a hardware store and picked up a replacement leaving the stick that comes with it behind. When checking out the clerk asked if he wanted the stick and Clark said, "Oh, I never use one" and the clerk said, "YUCK".
Clark also advised the trumpet players to play the plunger coming in more than going out.
Tony Scodwell
Scodwell USA Trumpets and Flugelhorns available in the US only from Washington Music Center, call Lee Walkowich at 301.946.8808 and in Sydney, Australia at Sax and Woodwind...and Brass and in Freiburg, Germany at Musik-Bertram.