E-Z Bucket vs. Soulo Bucket

maynard-46 · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:29 am Post subject: E-Z Bucket vs. Soulo Bucket

I'm on a mute kick and I need a bucket mute. I've narrowed down my choices between the two listed in the title.

If anyone has experience with BOTH of these mutes I would appreciate ur feedback based on sound, flexibility, ease of on and off, etc.

I am ONLY interested in these two mutes. Thanks in advance!!

Butch

zaferis · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 4:50 am Post subject:

Cool, I actually have both in my collecion of way to many mutes.

I prefer the Eazy Bucket.. easy on, easy off, AND a very nice, consistent sound which sounds like a bucket mute. The only thing I would point out, is that there are different sizes. For commercial work I've been playing a Bach Commercial trumpet which has a slighly larger bell-the standard sized Eazy Bucket fits but is snug and noticabley small.. I did purchase a larger one which does the trick.
I've seen he's making a leather version, would love to try one.

The Soulo is a very light thing that fits well, but I will admit I've dropped in a couple times while trying to put it on at a gig. I like the way it plays and sounds, but I think it doesn't sound like many other bucket mutes. So, I'm less fond of using it in a section and religate it more for solo/combo work. But then again, I've been carrying the eazy mute.
You can adjust the clips to fit different bell sizes, fitting well on my 37 means it's tight on my 1B and loose on my cornet.
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maynard-46 · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:29 am Post subject: E-Z Bucket vs. Soulo Bucket

zaferis

Thanks for ur reply! I sent an email to E-Z Bucket regarding their sizes and received a VERY quick reply! Since I play an Yamaha 8310Z with a 5" bell he said to order a 4 7/8" mute and he will adjust/stretch it to the 5" diameter for me. I'm now wondering if I should follow thru on that OR simply stay with the original 4 7/8" since I do play my Bach 72* on occasion which has the 4 7/8" bell.

Since ur familiar with this mute...which would you do...stretch or non-stretch? The non-stretch is only an 1/8" difference. Does that affect how the clips fit easily...or is it more of a situation where the mute doesn't fully cover the entire bell on a 5" bell but the clips still function properly???

Thanks in advance for ur expertise!!

Butch

zaferis · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:33 am Post subject:

4 7/8 will be fine.. fits most bells and will "stretch" if needed.
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maynard-46 · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:01 am Post subject: E-Z Bucket vs. Soulo Bucket

zaferis

Thank you VERY much. Gonna order one right now!!!

Butch

HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2206

The "bucket mute" must be the most schizophrenic mute out there, there are so many different versions/sound concepts.

I always thought that the "classic" bucket mute sound was produced by the Humes & Berg Velvetone. If you want that "classic" sound then you can forget the Soulo Bucket, it's not even close. I was very disappointed in the Soulo Bucket

Another option is the Jo-Ral Bucket that is inserted into the bell like a cup mute. Among "bucket mutes" (whatever that means) it's probably the easiest to use but it's a pretty squirrelly mute. I have a love-hate relationship with the Jo-Ral Bucket. It's very easy to use, which is great, but it doesn't produce the classic Humes and Berg sound, it has intonation issues and it's easy to pop up to the next partial, things that are not so great.

I have no experience with the E-Z Bucket. That being said, I can't imagine anything that wouldn't be better than the Soulo Bucket.
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bike&ed · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 1769

I have both and use them often, and have owned most every bucket model. I like the EZ Bucket the most by far, it has great tone, response, and intonation. I have an older model, and have broken 2 of the bell clips, but I used a drill, bolts, and curved pieces of metal (covered with rubber) to fix it.
I still keep the Soulo, because it offers a different color palette than most any other mute. You can make yet another unique kind of sound by putting a straight mute in the bell, and the Soulo over it....umm, and I also cracked the Soulo, it’s not terribly durable...

jimspeedjae · Veteran Member Joined: 05 Apr 2013 Posts: 108

I have the EZ in leather.

Great sound, easy to use and looks good.

I don't have a Soulo, but have the H&B and the Jo-Ral and some other old weird thing that sits on the shelf as a curiosity.

If I lost them all the first replacement I'd buy is the EZ.

TrumpetMD · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:03 am Post subject:

I have a Soulo bucket mute. I've not tried the E-Z. I like the Soulo mute. But for me, it sounds like something between a traditional H&B bucket mute and a cup mute.

Mike
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Andy Del · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:30 am Post subject:

cheiden · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:13 pm Post subject:

EZ Bucket is my favorite. Easier to install than the H&B, better sounding than the JoRal. But I too had clips break off and had to MacGyver them back on. I've been told that the design is improved but have yet to score a newer model.

Intrigued about the Soulo but am discouraged by some the reviews regarding sound. I'll definitely try one when I can.
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gchun01 · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Mar 2013 Posts: 270

EZ Bucket all the way for me. Great sound, easy to use. The new leather version looks interesting.

I have the original Soulo bucket. Didn’t care for the sound-sounded harsh. And the clips were cumbersome. I hear a new version has been released that has a different padding, so that might have addressed the sound issue. I haven’t tried the update so I can’t comment on it.

Louise Finch · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:58 pm Post subject:

benlewis · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:59 am Post subject:

I have one of the newer manufacture of the E-Z Bucket and I can't imagine breaking off the tabs. It appears to be bullet-proof short of stepping on it. It is also very easy to attach and remove, which is a must-have in pit work...

HTH

Ben

bike&ed · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 1769

Yeah the older EZ Buckets were a bit sensitive on the clips, but I have heard the new ones are very tough. It took a lot of use, including multiple drops, for that clip to get damaged (I realized that I only broke 1 clip, but I reinforced the other horizontal clip when I fixed the broken one). Comparatively, my Soulo bucket cracked with very little (unintentional) effort.

maynard-46 · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject: E-Z Bucket vs. Soulo Bucket

I want to thank all of you for ur responses to my post!! They were very helpful. I ordered an E-Z Bucket directly from the company. Fantastic customer service...VERY quick return emails. "Kevin" contacted me today and told me it was shipped out today and I will have it by Thurs. Can't wait to try it!!

Again...thanks to all!

Butch

Riojazz · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:07 pm Post subject:

Hi Butch.

I realize I'm reviving an old thread, but I'm looking at a leather Eazy Bucket mute from Dillon's. The three size choices are Standard, 5 1/4", and 5 5/8". But, what diameter is Standard? 5"? 4 7/8"?

Thanks.
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Riojazz · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 4:27 pm Post subject:

Answering my own question, Standard is 4 7/8".

I bought one from Dillon's and it's great! Very pleasant muted sound with an easy blow and without messing up the intonation.
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Matt Finley
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Kanstul 1525 flugel, Shires Bb & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Yamaha Eb, Yamaha F/G, Schilke P5-4 pic, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Chase Sanborn GR66MS.