TromboneChat

Does anyone here own one? Opinions? Do they blend with a section using aluminum mutes?
I saw a few at a vendor's booth recently, wish I had tried it out.

I love the four I have. One gumby mute for tenor and bass, which can blend with traditional mutes and doesn't get damaged on tours, and also a copper bottom/3d top for tenor and bass. The copper bottom for tenor is my favorite straight mute ever (I haven't tried Morningstar yet but pretty much tried everything else.) It's a little heavy but so good.

Here's a review I made of them - great products overall!

fwiw i’ve used a wood mute prior to getting my gumby and have never had any issues blending with metals. I had a conductor comment that my gumby sounded more “metallic” than someone’s jo-ral

Just got mine a couple of weeks ago. Pretty good mute - sounds good, and pitch is good too. A little bit stuffy around the bottom of the bass clef, but playable down there. Just the ticket for fast mute changes where dropping the mute becomes more likely.You can drop it on the floor from shoulder height and it just makes a dull "thud". I like my Morningstar straight the best of any straight mute that I own, but the Gumby is easily in the top group of straight mutes that I own, and the added peace of mind for those times where there's only a couple of beats to get the mute in or out makes it a great purchase. The only other issue was that the shipping to Canada ended up being really expensive because UPS has to hire another company to walk their stuff through Customs. I paid quite a bit more for the shipping/handling than for the mute, and only a small part of that was tax/tarrifs.

Jim Scott

Mamaposaune wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:41 pm Do they blend with a section using aluminum mutes?

Yes, they do. Quite well in my opinion, the more chances I have to put mine to real world uses.

I just finished a run of The Producers which has a lot of calls for straight mute. It was a reduced orchestra where it was just me and a trumpet in the brass "section". I was continually amazed and pleased with how well my Merf blended with the trumpet using an aluminum straight.

I have a bass trombone one. It responds great all the way through the low register and I like it a lot, though a cork came off in my bag and I need to glue it back on. I paid an extra couple of bucks for a brass screw to go in place of the included Lexan one, and I think it sounds a little better that way.

It's not a metal mute and doesn't sound exactly like one, but it's close enough to blend pretty well. Ilan Morganstern's Morningstar mutes also sound great and respond fantastically well, but the MERF is probably a closer blend with aluminum mutes.

GabrielRice wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 9:26 am ...though a cork came off in my bag and I need to glue it back on.

I have one about to let go from my tenor Merf. I reached out to them just last week about what glue to use as I didn't want to use something which would have a bad reaction with the 3D printed material.

They recommended what they use which is Starbond Medium-Thick Flex. That's a pretty specialized adhesive, and not exactly cheap, but after buying a bottle and seeing what it's made of - I think any super/CA glue is probably safe and effective.

You guys might want to look into my cork adapters for these mutes, should solve the issue permanently. CA adhesive will likely fail again, IMO.

NathanSobieralski wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 2:51 pm You guys might want to look into my cork adapters for these mutes, should solve the issue permanently. CA adhesive will likely fail again, IMO.

They work very well. I just converted a couple of mine over the weekend. Fantastic system, and super easy to use.

GabrielRice wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 9:26 am I have a bass trombone one. It responds great all the way through the low register and I like it a lot, though a cork came off in my bag and I need to glue it back on. I paid an extra couple of bucks for a brass screw to go in place of the included Lexan one, and I think it sounds a little better that way.

It's not a metal mute and doesn't sound exactly like one, but it's close enough to blend pretty well. Ilan Morganstern's Morningstar mutes also sound great and respond fantastically well, but the MERF is probably a closer blend with aluminum mutes.

If you ever get a chance to try a metal bottom Merf mute I highly recommend it. It cuts the difference between the standard Merf mute and a full metal mute. Gives a fuller metal sound but still has the easy Merf mute response and lighter weight. I still prefer the standard Merf mute most days because of the durability and light weight.

Merf announced that cup mutes are in production! Very excited! Day 1 purchase for me.

mrdeacon wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2026 2:54 pm Merf announced that cup mutes are in production! Very excited! Day 1 purchase for me.

Please do a demo if you have one

Merf cup mutes have dropped!! I placed my order in the first 10 minutes lol. 2B, large tenor and bass mutes ordered. Expected to deliver next week!

I've got 3 on the way myself, and just in time for a recording project with a LOT of mute calls in a couple weeks.

I am totally in love with the all PLA and metal bottom straights, can't wait to try the cups!

The notes on the website on how the design of the neck section allows for adjustability is exciting.

If anyone can make a small Cup Demo via mobile video or whatever, that would be much appreciated once they got their cups

EriKon wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 6:27 am If anyone can make a small Cup Demo via mobile video or whatever, that would be much appreciated once they got their cups

I think the makers are working on that (bottom of this page):
https://www.merfmute.com/xcup

EriKon wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2026 6:27 am If anyone can make a small Cup Demo via mobile video or whatever, that would be much appreciated once they got their cups

Mine is showing up tomorrow! I can do a quick demo but no promises I’ll sound any good lol

I'm not sure if the person who manufactures these mutes is checking this thread, but I have a former student who is setting up a small shop that does some repairs and carries some "hard to find' products.
I think that shop could be a great fit to have a Canadian dealer for these mutes. The shipping can be really expensive, and having a store that stocks a few of them and can order multiple mutes at a time could lower that cost by spreading it out across multiple sales, and only having to charge out of town customers domestic shipping. If you read this, and are interested, send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with them

Jim Scott

Anyone received their Cup mute yet? reviews? dropped-on-floor bounce distance?

Aznguyy wrote: Wed May 20, 2026 10:36 am Anyone received their Cup mute yet? reviews? dropped-on-floor bounce distance?

There's a video by William (Lang) on his channel

EriKon wrote: Wed May 20, 2026 2:04 pm

Aznguyy wrote: Wed May 20, 2026 10:36 am Anyone received their Cup mute yet? reviews? dropped-on-floor bounce distance?

There's a video by William (Lang) on his channel

Ohh! I didn't see that one! Thanks!