Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post Reply
BassBoneFL
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:04 am

Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
Harold Van Schaik
Bass Trombone
The Florida Orchestra
S.E. Shires Artist
Kbiggs
Posts: 1125
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:46 am
Location: Vancouver WA

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post by Kbiggs »

Would the MD consider asking the trumpets to change their mutes to better match the trombones? :twisted:
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 5892
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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).
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
BassBoneFL
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:04 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
Harold Van Schaik
Bass Trombone
The Florida Orchestra
S.E. Shires Artist
BassBoneFL
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:04 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
Harold Van Schaik
Bass Trombone
The Florida Orchestra
S.E. Shires Artist
Posaunus
Posts: 3424
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:54 pm
Location: California

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
GabrielRice
Posts: 979
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:20 am
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Contact:

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
ronnies
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:22 am
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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
Shires Tru-Bore (Bb/F/Gb/D)
Bach Stradivarius 42 (unlacquered bell)
Excel Bb/F/Gb/D (Chinese made Yamaha YBL-613G clone)
BassBoneFL
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:04 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
Harold Van Schaik
Bass Trombone
The Florida Orchestra
S.E. Shires Artist
blast
Posts: 453
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:46 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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
posaunebone
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:38 pm
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
blast
Posts: 453
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:46 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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.
User avatar
ssking2b
Posts: 352
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2018 1:34 pm
Location: Richmond, VA metropolitan area
Contact:

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post 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!
===============================================
XO Brass Artist - http://www.pjonestrombone.com
===============================================
jph
Posts: 110
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2018 5:30 am
Location: Richmond, Virginia

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post by jph »

Valuable line of posts. Wick wins!
Re: Phil's observation. And yes, the audience can't tell the difference either.
User avatar
Tooloud
Posts: 77
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 2:01 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post by Tooloud »

JoRal bass trombone mute with brass bottom. For years. No complaints from anybody.
Johnstad
Posts: 183
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:27 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post by Johnstad »

Tools4Winds...

Have both a straight and cup. Evenness and intonation lock in nicely. I switched from Wick straight and cup.
User avatar
Tooloud
Posts: 77
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 2:01 am

Re: Metal Bass Straight mutes

Post by Tooloud »

I use the tools4winds cup-mute. Absolutely love it. The straight, though, failed to win me over from JoRal.
Just my 2cts..
Post Reply

Return to “Accessories”