TromboneChat

Hi everyone!

Has anyone tried the Gumby trombone Merf mutes before?

I’m looking for to buy a set of not metal straight mutes and these seem pretty cool. The catch is there are zero videos on the internet of someone playing the tenor or bass trombone version. Trumpet players seem to like them!

https://www.merfmute.com/

I like the Tenor straight a lot - it's become my first touring mute. The sound for what I do is just as good as the Tom Crowne copper bottom straight that I normally use.

WilliamLang wrote: Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:57 am I like the Tenor straight a lot - it's become my first touring mute. The sound for what I do is just as good as the Tom Crowne copper bottom straight that I normally use.

You’re the man Will! I love your videos by the way.

You should totally record this mute the next time you do a mute comparison video. I’d love to hear you play it.

I’ll place an order for the bass and tenor mute today and let everyone know what I think of them!

Wow, those are neat!

How do you get them seated in your bell with their ability to deform like that?

I’ve got tenor MERR #2 that I use for everything. You won’t find a more consistent mute. The ability to flex doesn’t affect putting them in the bell, and the number of materials for the port make them incredibly malleable. You just treat them like any other mute.
I’ve used them for Jazz, opera, wind band, and audition prep. Pure sound. Unaltered pitch. Pedals! You can play pedals and the valve register!
100% give MERF a try. It’ll be the last mute you buy.

I got mine lighting fast from the Merf team. Holy cow these things are great! Highly recommend them!

Incredibly easy to play and super duper light weight. High quality corks on the mute.

The venting system is pretty neat and worth experimenting with. I got the extra nuts and bolt pack and the metal bolts help the mute sound more metallic. Personally I like how it sounds as is with the plastic nut.

On top of all that these things look amazing! I’ve never bought a mute and my immediate thought was man I should buy another in a different color.

Whenever they come out with a metal bottom version I will absolutely be first in line to buy a pair.

bassclef wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:48 pm Wow, those are neat!

How do you get them seated in your bell with their ability to deform like that?

You kinda just shove it in there and it stays. Super secure in bell. The corks are a high quality cork/synthetic blend cork.