Soulo Harmon Mute...cork differences

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1220

I clicked on the ad at the top of one of the TH pages that displayed the (new?) Soulo Harmon mute...

https://soulomute.com/product/trumpet-harmon-mute/

If you look carefully at all of the pics, you'll see two different cork materials used on the mute. I sent an email this afternoon to the company but probably won't get a response until Monday. Does anyone here know which you would get when placing the order and why the differences in these pics? I'm sort of guessing they tried the black, spongey foam first (and took pictures!), but decided to go with the kind of asphalt-looking material? The ad states:

"Additionally, it will never fall out of the bell, because of its unique neoprene composite, which 'locks' the mute inside the bell." I'm guessing it's the asphalt-looking material, which is what we can see when Adam Rapa removes the mute in the video. Just curious if anyone here knows.

LittleRusty · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:01 pm Post subject:

I believe see cork and textured neoprene. The black shown on the box and some of the pictures looks neoprene to me.

zaferis · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 3:50 am Post subject:

I've purchased one fairly recently. Came with neoprene. I'm guessing that Soulo started with a composite cork but found the neoprene to be a better choice.
BTW an excellent mute
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jazzjezz · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:06 am Post subject:

Black neoprene on mine, and a lovely mute to boot...

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1220

I've also been reminded that most copper-bottomed mutes are heavier than those made of other material. This mute is advertised as lighter than the normal copper Harmon, and that that helps it stay inserted with less the weight. Thoughts from those that have one of these?

chrisf3000 · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 4:03 pm Post subject:

I literally just got one last week, so I haven't used it on a gig yet. However, it is a great mute! I love the compound they use - to me, it seems to be mostly neoprene with some cork blend. If you touch it to the bell, it wants to stick.

The sound is great, too. I now have this one and the copper-bottom Soulo straight mute. They are both easily two of the best mutes in my collection.

zaferis · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 4:41 pm Post subject:

AJCarter · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 5:09 pm Post subject:

How does the quality of sound and projection compare to TrumCor's Zinger? I'm definitely interested in the Soulo after trying out a friend's aluminum straight mute (which I might have to get one of those too!)
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jrd19580 · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:27 am Post subject:

How does the Soulo line of mutes compare to the Dennis Wick Line?

Thanks!
John
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jazzjezz · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 11:28 am Post subject:

wiemelen · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:00 am Post subject:

I'm currently using the Soulo Harmon for about a week.
So now I'm using all Soulo mutes and I'm extremely happy.

What I really like about the Harmon is the way it easily fits and doesn't fall out.
They really solved that issue nicely. Last sunday I was the only one in a section of 7 who didn't need to hold his Harmon with 1 hand to prevent them from falling

... so the rest of the section was very curious about

Soundwise, it also does the trick, although you need to pay a bit more attention to tuning in the lower register.
Coming from a Crown copper one, you can clearly hear a difference in sound.
Will depend on the music to decide which one suits best.
The rest of the section was using Jo-ral. But they all blended together nicely.
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maynard-46

I ordered one this week and it's Out for Delivery today. Can't wait to try it!!! BTW...how are the Soulo straight mutes??? Is the copper bottom really dark or does it still have some "sting" to it? I'm also curious how the Soulo bucket mute compares to the E-Z Bucket mute, sound wise...ease of on-off, etc.

Thanks,
Butch

chrisf3000 · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:12 am Post subject:

I had a chance this week to finally use my Soulo harmon on a gig. The sound is much like the Jo-Ral, fitting in somewhere between the aluminum and copper versions. Not as quite as zingy as the aluminum, but not dark like the copper. A nice balance, actually. Like wiemelen said, I was the only one not holding it in with one hand. It's a great feeling knowing that your mute is sticking to the bell and will stay there!

I also really, really like the copper straight mute. It's a lot like the Tom Crown copper bottom, but with a freer blow and a lot of projection. Definitely not a soft mute! Still, a great mute that feels good to play and sounds great.

AJCarter · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:31 am Post subject:

Sounds like I will be ordering a Soulo harmon very soon then. A friend of mine had the all aluminum straight on a gig and I tried it out. I would say it is comparable in sound quality and volume to a TrumCor straight, and I will probably order one of those too! Personally, I have never been a fan of copper or copper bottom straight mutes. Have always preferred brass or aluminum.
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