TromboneChat

Last week I purchased a box of trombone mutes from a TromboneChat member, with the intent of passing them forward to trombonists in need. However, the corks on several of these mutes were missing or severely damaged, making them unusable. So I purchased some "Cork Adapter Sets" from Nathan Sobieralski at S-Mute to repair these mutes.
https://s-mute.com/products/adapter-set ... bone-mutes

Installing them was a pretty easy process, and I'm very happy with the results. I now have refurbished mutes, with corks that are not only much better than the H&B originals, but are also adjustable in thickness to accommodate different size trombone bells.

Congratulations to Nathan for providing another fine product.

Thanks for your thoughts on these. I've been looking to pick up some of Nathan’s cork sets to rejuvenate my 50+ year old Tom Crown and Beversdorf mutes.

It’s great you’re putting some life back into these old mutes and passing them on to others.

Ken

They turned out great!

Will these adhere to metal mutes as well?

WGWTR180 wrote: Sun Feb 22, 2026 8:05 am Will these adhere to metal mutes as well?

Yes, no problem.

Okay thanks. I will need some advice as to what I should order. I will message you.

What is the absolute minimum height of the top of the cork off the mute surface? 5mm?

I'm thinking about getting this for my Ullven triple plate mute, but those corks need to be pretty low.

I've used Nathan's "adapter sets" on several mutes at this point to replace the original corks on them -- this includes replacing corks on some almost new mutes because Nathan's just work (grip) better and are MUCH easier to arrive at just the right thickness for positioning the mute correctly. In one case it's made all the difference between having confidence in a bass cup mute actually staying in the bell versus maybe falling out as I'm playing or moving the horn. It makes the mute easier to insert (and more quickly), and relieves mute loss anxiety.

In fact, I have another couple of sets of the adapters on the way to me now.

harrisonreed wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 7:04 am What is the absolute minimum height of the top of the cork off the mute surface? 5mm?

With the ones that I just put on my bass mute, using the 1mm "rail", I measure the surface of the cork to be 5mm off the mute surface.

harrisonreed wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 7:04 am What is the absolute minimum height of the top of the cork off the mute surface? 5mm?

I'm thinking about getting this for my Ullven triple plate mute, but those corks need to be pretty low.

The .05 and rail adapter is about 5mm, perhaps a shade more. I have thinner cork material that I can apply that shaves off .30mm or so. I also have a super thin 0.25 cork tray but that is pushing the material limits. The 0.25 plus the super thin cork material is about 4.5mm, which is pretty much as thin as my system can get.

WGWTR180 wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 6:58 am Okay thanks. I will need some advice as to what I should order. I will message you.

Happy to help out. You can reach me through PMs here or [email protected]

ghmerrill wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 8:13 am I've used Nathan's "adapter sets" on several mutes at this point to replace the original corks on them -- this includes replacing corks on some almost new mutes because Nathan's just work (grip) better and are MUCH easier to arrive at just the right thickness for positioning the mute correctly. In one case it's made all the difference between having confidence in a bass cup mute actually staying in the bell versus maybe falling out as I'm playing or moving the horn. It makes the mute easier to insert (and more quickly), and relieves mute loss anxiety.

In fact, I have another couple of sets of the adapters on the way to me now.

Hey Gary, thanks for the order and I'm glad these continue to be useful. I like hearing about the improved security in the bell. In addition to accommodating the span of the rail they are meant to be wider/grippier than the thinner type. The material choice also helps.