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Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 11:25 am
by BassBoneFL
OK -- I already own a Crown, Jo-Ral, and Wallace. My section has been using Bonna carbon and Am-Rein wood mutes for the last several years. Love the response and evenness of sound. MD wants us to move to metal to better match the tpts.

Was wondering how the newer Best Brass and Tools4Winds (or other) mutes play? Are they a step-up from Crown and J-R in response and low register?

I know about Wick, Windy City, and every other metal major brand of the last 40yrs.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:14 pm
by Kbiggs
Would the MD consider asking the trumpets to change their mutes to better match the trombones? :twisted:

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:32 pm
by BGuttman
I can't imagine you can't use Crowns. Or any other ones you all have.

One of the best low register metal mutes I have for my bass trombone is the H&B Philharmonic (pear shaped metal mute).

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:39 pm
by BassBoneFL
Kbiggs wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:14 pm Would the MD consider asking the trumpets to change their mutes to better match the trombones? :twisted:

He wants the metallic sound -- They're on Soulo straights.... Soulo does't make a bass mute.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:43 pm
by BassBoneFL
BGuttman wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:32 pm I can't imagine you can't use Crowns. Or any other ones you all have.

I'm currently on a Crown copper bottom. Had and used the mute for almost 30yrs. Best metal mute I've ever played. Was wondering if any of the newer designs have upped the game and have a response and low register like the Bonna and Am-Rein have.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:44 pm
by Posaunus
Am I missing something? I think my Denis Wick aluminum bass straight mute sounds pretty good.
(I also have the Denis Wick "convertible" bass mute, but never use it as a straight mute.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 7:30 am
by GabrielRice
Harold, I've play-tested the Best Brass and Tools4Winds metal straights alongside the WIck. Wick is the winner for me in every way, and it's 1/3 the price.

They had all of them in stock at Virtuosity in Boston a few weeks ago.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 7:41 am
by ronnies
BassBoneFL wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:39 pm He wants the metallic sound -- They're on Soulo straights.... Soulo does't make a bass mute.
So if he wants everyone on the same mutes the trumpets will have to change. :-)

Ronnie

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 12:53 pm
by BassBoneFL
GabeLangfur wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 7:30 am Harold, I've play-tested the Best Brass and Tools4Winds metal straights alongside the WIck. Wick is the winner for me in every way, and it's 1/3 the price.

They had all of them in stock at Virtuosity in Boston a few weeks ago.
Thanks, Gabe. That's what I wanted to know.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 4:34 pm
by blast
Metal mutes are a hassle.... none of them quite perfect. We have used Crowns for years.... copper bottom with holes drilled . I often use a very old Wick that I got from Denis himself.... it does the best job, but has a unique sound. The Wallace are very odd to handle... easily dropped.... all the other Wallace mutes are great.

Chris

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:01 pm
by posaunebone
On your crown mutes, where have the holes been drilled - in the aluminum or in the copper? Prepping for surgery on my own.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:05 pm
by blast
posaunebone wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:01 pm On your crown mutes, where have the holes been drilled - in the aluminum or in the copper? Prepping for surgery on my own.
I drill mine on the side of the copper part.

Chris.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:10 am
by ssking2b
The conductor is an idiot. He obviously heard something but is asking/demanding the wrong thing. Put everybody in fiber or metal and I'll bet he can't tell the difference if he doesn't look.

BTW the Denis Wick metal straight mute is exceptional!

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:53 pm
by jph
Valuable line of posts. Wick wins!
Re: Phil's observation. And yes, the audience can't tell the difference either.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 2:16 am
by Tooloud
JoRal bass trombone mute with brass bottom. For years. No complaints from anybody.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:39 am
by Johnstad
Tools4Winds...

Have both a straight and cup. Evenness and intonation lock in nicely. I switched from Wick straight and cup.

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 11:10 am
by Tooloud
I use the tools4winds cup-mute. Absolutely love it. The straight, though, failed to win me over from JoRal.
Just my 2cts..