TromboneChat

Our big band has an Ellington show scheduled for 2026. Not sure we will use pixies much after that. No one in our section owns one currently.
Any recommendations for makers to go for, and any UK suppliers please?
Like the look of Saltshakers but concerned about shipping and import duties etc, so I guess a UK supplier is probably the low cost option. Seeing big differences in prices.

Either Salt Shaker or get a normal Humes & Berg and remove the stem in it.

In addition to the Salt Shaker we also have a "traditional" pixie mute (with some of our own touches of course).

https://s-mute.com/products/trombone-pixie-mute

Sorry, of course I meant to write S-Mute and not Salt Shaker

I've got several pixies and a few trumpet straight mutes with built up corks, and ever since I got the S-mute one, it's the only one I reach for. While it doesn't have quite the same sound as the H&B (which also doesn't have the same sound as an old metal trumpet straight with corks built up), it's sooo much easier to play on. Much more in tune, much more responsive through the whole range, and takes a lot less air adjustment. I did find that adding a little aluminum foil under the end cap got me a bit closer in sound to a H&B. Using the S-Mute with plunger now for Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, and it's working great. (nicely done Nathan!)

bkessler wrote: Tue Dec 09, 2025 9:14 am I did find that adding a little aluminum foil under the end cap got me a bit closer in sound to a H&B. Using the S-Mute with plunger now for Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, and it's working great. (nicely done Nathan!)

Thanks for the nice words! Also, very cool experimentation. I'm sure others will appreciate this idea and will like to experiment with that as well.

I am also a big fan of Nathan's Pixie Mute. I might have to experiment with the aluminum foil.

I have 2 H&B's that play differently. Finding the right plunger seems to make at least as much difference as the pixie. But I guess I'll have to try Nathan's.
The Nutcracker is the only time I use it and that will be finished in a week.

Here's one of my pixies in metallic red. These colors look quite nice in person!

I`ve owned and used the Humes & Berg Pixie for decades, Because it was the ONLY one.
Played it with the little tube In and Out.
I`ve tried the Trumpet mute route, They Suck and I didn`t want to deal with the intonation issues.
When Nathan and the S-Mute came out with their Pixie , I was like, Send it to me!!
I have never looked back, and I o a lot of Plunger/Pixie work.
The intonation is better, Not as much Back pressure.
It gets my Vote !!!