Sshhmuteable C trumpets

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

I have played Bb trumpets exclusively with practice mutes for several years due to extensive hearing damage (hyperacusis with tinnitus) as well as migraine with aura that can be triggered by loud sounds, including those produced by unmuted brass instruments. Playing with ear plugs is not a workable solution due to occlusion, which makes things even worse. I’ve exhausted medical and audiological advice. So… I play practiced-muted alone for my own enjoyment, which is good enough.

I know from considerable experience and expense there is a wide range of playability with Bb trumpet-practice mute combinations and I have rejected many horns and mutes because of this. I also know the best sounding mutes to my ears are the Bremner Sshhmute (limits noise exposure at my ear to 65dB A) and the Divitt mute (75dB, but weight limits practical usage, even with Ergobrass). The best trumpet of the many I’ve tried with these mutes is the Yamaha YTR-2330. I like the sound, noise reduction is adequate and intonation is spot-on. The 2330 has it faults (e.g., build quality), but plays really well given my limitations.

I am considering purchasing a C trumpet and so looking for recommendations for horns that other players find work well, or well enough, from first-hand, direct experience (i.e., no speculation) with the Sshhmute. I’m interested in regular, current or recent past, production horns that I might try before buying. It doesn’t matter how the trumpet sounds unmuted. Cheap is fine. Expensive is also fine. Lacquered horns with enclosed top valve springs only.

Thanks,
poketrum

Dayton · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:36 pm Post subject:

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Thanks Dayton. How do you find the intonation with this combination?

Dayton · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 4:05 am Post subject:

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Thanks. My local shop has a good selection of used 229-belled Bachs, so that’s as good a place as any to start.

MrOlds · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 4:51 am Post subject:

If you can find them, you might like the Shires Q11RS or the Q13. Reasonably priced. Good intonation (at least without the mute). Good playability. Well made. For your intended use, one of these might be more enjoyable to play than a 229.

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Just to follow up on my comments re: the weight of the Divitt practice mute. It’s definitely my issue, not the fault of the mute. I’m an oldish guy with hand issues, which are resolved using an Ergobrass with the added weight of the Sshhmute counterbalanced by a Yamaha heavyweight mouthpiece. Everything balances perfectly so that my left hand just keeps the trumpet in place and the right just operates the valves.

The bit of extra weight from the Divitt throws off the balance enough that it makes more work for my wonky left hand. Otherwise, I love the sound and intonation with the Divitt and am working on a way to add (or purchase) a counterweight to balance things out. If successful, the Divitt will see greater use.

I didn’t mean to imply there is anything inherently wrong with the Divitt. It’s terrific and highly recommended!

LittleRusty · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:43 pm Post subject:

Maybe just get an object that weighs approximately what the Divitt mute does and hang it near the mouthpiece?

You could test the idea using non-residue tape to see if it works and if so find a more aesthetically pleasing alternative.

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Good idea. Wheel or fishing weights should work, then I would know the approximate weight needed for the real thing - possibly a collar on the mouthpiece or receiver. Thanks!

LittleRusty · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:06 pm Post subject:

Fishing weights with a Velcro cable tie securing them might be a good long term solution if you can tolerate a little more total weight.

Heim · Veteran Member Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Posts: 181

Brassnose · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:51 pm Post subject:

Having used Sshhmutes for years I’d venture a guess that they fit most standard bells, i.e., Bach, Yamaha, Schilke, … but probably won’t fit larger bell horns like Monette or Lotus etc.

Mine also fits the cornet in the signature (and again will probably fit most regular cornet bells) so if price is not an issue (but weight and lever-type issues with the added mute weight is) you may want to look into a C cornet as well.

I know they are super rare and expensive but Carol Brass makes one that should be good given their general reputation. Thane C cornets look very nice, but I have never seen a Thane instrument in my life, so can’t comment.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
196x/7x Hüttl Silver Colibri 69
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance/Klier/Curry

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Brassnose · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 4:27 am Post subject:

I find this one quite cute https://www.thomann.de/de/carol_brass_ccr_7770r_rsm_c_s.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0vSc7NzAgQMVpT8GAB0Gawl6EAQYASABEgJnjPD_BwE but haven’t played it (and have a C trumpet, so don’t need a C cornet). What I find appealing is the shorter length because my eyes are really bad so being closer to a music stand is nice some time, especially when practicing new stuff.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
196x/7x Hüttl Silver Colibri 69
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance/Klier/Curry

HaveTrumpetWillTravel · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 5:24 am Post subject:

I have the Carolbrass pocket C trumpet and it will take a regular mute. That said, the ergonomics are a bit weird (they work for me, but it took a while to find the right position). If you have hearing issues it's probably better to have the bell farther away (although I guess if it's sight issues, maybe it's better to have it closer?!). It will take shhmute, yamaha silent, etc., because it has a regular size bell. Intonation seemed good to be me, but I'm also an amateur.

Nathan.Sobieralski · Veteran Member Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 166

I've not experimented with this, but my "Wixie" mute body can be configured as a practice mute and could be supplied with a couple of different thickness corks to give you some options on bell size etc. The main advantage of this arrangement would be its weight, approx 25-40 grams depending on the configuration. It's a very light material. If this seems interesting let me know and ill do some further exploration. You can check out the form factor on the website linked in my signature.
_________________
Dr. Nathan Sobieralski
www.s-mute.com
Principal Trumpet, Sequoia Symphony
Department of Music (Trumpet)
California State University, Fresno

Brassnose · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 8:00 am Post subject:

@HaveTrumpet… don’t mix up the two: I’m the one with sight issues, OP the one with hearing issues and the Sshhmute question. I brought up a C cornet because I see advantages also if weight or center of gravity of an instrument is an issue (to which the OP also hinted).
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
196x/7x Hüttl Silver Colibri 69
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance/Klier/Curry

Dayton · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 2:52 pm Post subject:

poketrum · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2023 Posts: 160

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions, which have all been very helpful. I decided to take a chance on a Carol 4000H-GSS, which I should have near the end of the year.