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Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 2:11 pm
by ttf_Dukesboneman
Question - I have one of the crappy Denis Wick practice Mutes. Has anyone modified one of these into a cool sounding useful mute. I hate to throw it out , so why not alter it some way. Thanks


Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 2:23 pm
by ttf_bonesmarsh
The absolutely perfect (not crappy) Denis Wick practice mute, the black painted metal one, is a clone of the same non-crappy Wick straight mute.
Same mute-- different cork.

Cover the two holes with black duct tape or electrical tape to camoflage the holes.
Cut off the cork ring, and add three strips of straight mute cork available from www.Hickeys.com for about $4.


If you don't like the effect, just pull off the electrical tape to expose the holes again, stick some foam with double sided tape into the space between the three cork straight mute corks-- and it is the same crappy practice mute again.

You're welcome.

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:07 pm
by ttf_eightyeightH
Don't bother unless you haven't got a straight mute. If you want a good practice mute, Yamaha's silent Brass (the new model) works well, as does the BestBrass one. The latter silences the most and affects tuning the least.

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:21 pm
by ttf_greenbean
Well, I just converted my crappy Wick practice mute into a regular Wick staight mute.  Worked like a charm.  And I agree with 'Dukes' above - it is not a vary good practice mute.  I have tried several others; all worked better than this one. 

So I peeled off the ring of cork (with fingers - no tools needed), cleaned up some residual glue with some Goo-Gone, and glued on three new corks.  I now have a Wick straight mute that plays just like the regular aluminum version except it is in stylish black!  Image

Just so ya know...

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 2:47 pm
by ttf_marccromme
It works perfectly as a straight mute with altered corks as described above. And you don't need to cover the holes - the holes make the lower valve register and the pedals speak better. I can't really notice any difference in sound  with or without holes in the higher register.

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 6:04 pm
by ttf_Dukesboneman
With bigger corks would it work as a Bass Straight mute?

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 6:25 pm
by ttf_bonesmarsh
Not likely.

Bass straight is about 5" longer and likely twice the internal volume. I have both in filing cabinet looking at them.

You won't be happy --or satisfied with the sound-- until you spend the money and do it right the first time. And then only have to do it once.

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 6:05 am
by ttf_elmsandr
The Wick practice mute is very useful... as an air efficiency tool, not necessarily as a practice mute however.  They make a great buzz when you have a real resonant air stream.

Cheers,
Andy

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 6:18 am
by ttf_bonesmarsh
Yes.
Wick himself calls the effects produced after repeated us of the black practice mute "Black magic".

Excellent bio-feedback tool to force the player to work efficiently.

Mute Modification ????? Any Ideas

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 6:18 am
by ttf_bonesmarsh
Yes.
Wick himself calls the effects produced after repeated us of the black practice mute "Black magic".

Excellent bio-feedback tool to force the player to work efficiently.