MUTE comparisons

[Trumpcyms1993]

I am about to purchase some new mutes and I am looking at a couple of options. and I would like the fine trumpet players of this websites input.
Which mutes do you think I should get and why?

Harmon-Best Brass Copper or Trumcor zinger mute or Joral Copper

Straight-Denis wick or Wallace or Tom Crown (all with copper bottom)

Cup-Denis wick adjustable cup or humes and berg stone lined


any thoughts or other suggestions appreciated
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[Dayton]

What will you be using the mutes for: Section playing, solo performance? If you don't need to blend with a section, get whichever ones you like best.

If you need to blend, think about what people are using in your section and whether or not the mute you like offers you a sound that complements the section (or would it make you stand out).

Of the mutes you mentioned, I like the Trumcor Zinger better than the Jo-Ral Copper (haven't played the Best Brass). Both are great sounding mutes, but the Zinger comes a bit closer to the classic Harmon sound (for me) and I find the weight of the Jo-Ral mute when it is in the bell to be...distracting.

Of the straight mutes you mentioned, I don't have them in copper bottom, so cannot comment. If you are set on getting a copper-bottom mute, you might also want to consider the Soulo straight mute, which I really like.

Regarding cup mutes, I'm not a fan of adjustable cups, which can be difficult (for me) to quickly change in/out without altering the distance of the cup from the bell. The Humes and Berg comes pretty close to the "classic" cup mute sound. If you want to consider something different, I really like Roger Ingram's MuteMeister cup mute by Warburton.

If the mutes are for non-section playing, or blending is simply not a big concern, you might also want to consider the Warburton Woody straight and cup mutes, and the straight, cup and Harmon-type wood mutes by Facet. They are great mutes, and some of the models blend ok with traditional metal or fiber mutes, but they are expensive.

Good luck!

[bach_again]

[zaferis]

My picks for work in ensembles, If you are a soloist and not matching anyone else there are others that have interesting properties. - I own and have used a bunch...

Straight - Denis Wick (aluminum) or Jo-Ral copper bottom
.. a NO for Tom Crown - a different tone quality - good for some solos not section work.
Soulo straight is great sound and intonation, tone but is loud in comparison-one on my new favorites especially for outdoor work.

Cup - Mute Meister (sold at Warrburton), Denis Wick adjustable for "legit" work, AND H&B Stone Lined for that classic sound. Ideally you have both.
Mute Meister (sold at Warrburton), is amazing if you wnat to spend some big bucks on a classic cup mute sound.
Very important the your cup fits properly - you must file corks.

Harmon - Jo-Ral copper or aluminum both are excellent. Copper is heavy can get annoying if you use it a lot.
Zinger is awesome - not sure how it blends with others.
Denis Wick - a worthy small design

Solo Tone - Mute Meister ShowTone !

no to Best Brass, WindyCity
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[dstdenis]

[Nonsense Eliminator]

[Trumpcyms1993]

[zaferis]

[jonalan]

+2 on the Soulo Copper Bottom Straight!
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[iiipopes]

FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: if you are in an ensemble where consistent tone color is necessary, ask your conductor/director what he/she prefers. Then get a set of straight, cup and Harmon in the conductor's preferred make and model. Do this every time you play in a new ensemble, because consistent section tone color is what is most important, and the "fad" mute-of-the-day is absolutely the worst waste of money.

After that, if not already acquired, invest in a set of the "classic" mutes: H&B stoneline straight; H&B stoneline cup; a real Harmon; a real Vacciano aluminum straight mute. (Most you can get used cheap)

Then start looking at other's preferences and tone color options, such as the Jo-Ral, Wick, Tom Crown, etc., to round out personal preferences.

[lgt0412]

I agree with above posts that the situation determines the mute choice. I have a specific set I use for small group jazz where I am the only trumpet. I have others I use for big band. Others for classical.

I also have multiple mutes of the same brand in some cases since I have several different horns I play on a regular basis. For instance, my Kanstul WB and my Bach Mariachi will not take the same cup mute. The fit is just not the same. This is one of my pet peeves as I so often see players using mutes that are not correctly fitted to their horn!!! They (mostly) use cork ..... that can be sanded for a reason!!!! Lol
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[Tpt_Guy]

[Crazy Finn]

[LittleRusty]

[Louise Finch]

[Nonsense Eliminator]

1. Never talk to the conductor unless absolutely necessary. If you ask him about mutes you will almost always get an answer you don't like.

2. Stone-lined and Vacchiano straight mute ands and "real" Harmon mutes may be "classic" but they are totally unnecessary unless you find yourself playing with people who use them. I have never owned a Stone-lined straight, nor have I ever encountered one in use outside a high school band room. I own a Vacchiano straight and have literally never used it. I own a "real" Harmon and have used it on exactly one occasion since acquiring a Jo-Ral.
_________________
Richard Sandals
NBO

[trumpetchops]

I have been looking for a cup mute that I like for a while. It's not easy because to really know how the mute will sound, you have to adjust it to your bell. I have a Denis Wick that I love and the sound seems to match others the best. I don't like that it's adjustable. If you have time, great, adjust it. Quick mute changes could be a problem.

A trumpet player sitting next to me gave me a "Mike a mute". I think that's what it says on it. Anyway, I filed the corks and it works best, so far.

I haven't tried this yet. I might glue the cup in place on the wick.

My point of the thread is; just because you get the same brand as the section, your sound could be different.

I also want to say, a lot of the people on here posting advice are playing at a high level. It's important for them to have the perfect sound or, match. If you're like me, playing local gigs with different bands for $100.00 a shot, nobody in the section will care what mute you use.
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Joe Spitzer
Monroe Ct.

[RandyTX]

[benlewis]

Trumpetchops,

You might try cutting a small slot on the cup portion of the Wick that contacts the inner portion with a fine-toothed hacksaw, then use a hose clamp to lock the cup in place. That way you won't lose the functionality of adjustment, while being able to dial in the sound and not worry about it moving, just like the old Micro adjustable cups that had the setscrew...

HTH

Ben

[Nonsense Eliminator]