H&B Bucket

[AtomicClock]

Can I bend the clips on an 8 1/2" H&B bucket mute to fit an 8" bell?

[mikerspencer]

You'll want something to bend the clip against (pliers) or you risk cracking the mute.

[marccromme]

Yes, you can using pliers wrapped with a piece of cloth. Works just fine.

Actually, I prefer to bend the clips almost an 80 degree bend inwards, at the place where the do traditionally touch the bell rim.

Then you can get the bucket on and off in 2 seconds, you drop the two topmost clips over the bell rim, and let the last, down facing clip rest on the inside of the bell.

Especially useful for the bas bone bucket version with 4 clips ...


See viewtopic.php?f=17&t=19567#p143733. For details ...

[AtomicClock]

Yes, you can using pliers wrapped with a piece of cloth. Works just fine.

Thanks. I bought this thing in about 1990 for an 88H, but never got the chance to use it. It's been following me around for 35 years. I may finally get to use it in January, but I'll be on a smaller horn.

It's always gone on and off very easily; I don't know why people complain, although I imagine the 4-clip version isn't fun.

[wayne88ny]

To my mind, the H&B buckets have the best sound. The 4 clip H&B bucket mute is a royal pain. Eazy Bucket is the best alternative

I hate it when people use the softone mute instead of a bucket mute. Fuzzy tone and out of tune. Buy a real bucket mute and get bigger mute bag.

[Posaunus]

To my mind, the H&B buckets have the best sound. The 4 clip H&B bucket mute is a royal pain. Eazy Bucket is the best alternative

I hate it when people use the softone mute instead of a bucket mute. Fuzzy tone and out of tune. Buy a real bucket mute and get bigger mute bag.

I also prefer the Eazy Bucket - good sound, sturdier than H&B, and more user-friendly. [User-friendlier?}

But I'll accept your hatred - our entire big band section happily uses Softone neoprene mutes, and sounds pretty good. So much more convenient! Very lightweight, easy to store.

[marccromme]

To my mind, the H&B buckets have the best sound. The 4 clip H&B bucket mute is a royal pain. Eazy Bucket is the best alternative

I hate it when people use the softone mute instead of a bucket mute. Fuzzy tone and out of tune. Buy a real bucket mute and get bigger mute bag.

Agree, the H&B bucket mute has a nice sound and solid intonation.

If you use the simple mod as explained above, se the pictures in the refered thread, it is very easy and swift to get on and off. Even the 4 clip bass bone version works great with the modification.

[AtomicClock]

The three-clip version is already very easy and swift to get on and off...unless something changes after I bend the clips inward.

[dukesboneman]

Some months ago I was playing a Big Band gig , and we got talking about how no Bucket Mutes really have that Classic H&B sound. EZ Buckets have the ease of on/off . The Trapani Bucket is also easy and light . The Big bulky aluminum one (Name escapes me) is just clumsy. The Softtone is just out of tune.
So I converted my H&B to an eZ Bucket style
The Top 2 clips I bent in and covered with tubing. The bottom clip I cut and it supports the mute against the bell
and put a handle on it.
The only down side is that you have to keep the horn level or it falls off, But I`m working on that.
The guys were excited to have the classic Bucket sound back without the fuss and muss

[wayne88ny]

I did this conversion on my H&B bass trombone bucket mute (4 clips). If I only used 2 clips to hang it on the bell, it would flap around and fall off easily. Three clips work well, and I removed the fourth clip as the three are enough to keep the mute equidistant from the bell. I do plan to put a handle on the side like the one pictured above.

I do like the idea of making a bucket mute out of an empty bleach bottle (either 1 or 2 gallon size)I tried making one a long time ago, but I had trouble trying to set it up with 3 clips. I think it would work well with three clips with 90 degrees between each clip.

[AtomicClock]

The three-clip version is already very easy and swift to get on and off

Never mind. I get it now.