Bucket Mute

walldaja · by **walldaja** » 2021-10-08 12:46 p.m.

There are a wide variations of bucket mutes.

What are your "go to" mutes and why?

Thanks

mbtrombone · by **mbtrombone** » 2021-10-08 1:04 p.m.

soft-tone neoprene practice mute half hanging over the bell. It is light and I rarely use a bucket. I end up using it more for practice and it stores in my music pouch on my case the rare times I need it.

Bonearzt · by **Bonearzt** » 2021-10-08 2:34 p.m.

The original HB bucket is the only one I use. Tried a Jo-Ral, but it was too unwieldy for me..

Some people prefer to match across the section.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2021-10-08 2:35 p.m.

EZ-bucket on small tenor, softone on bass.

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2021-10-08 2:43 p.m.

The EZ-bucket and Soulo are both nice. H & B has a classic sound, but is a little slower to put on/take off. JoRal is quick for changes but is very heavy to hold. All have pluses and minuses - depends on which you like the best for sound, convenience and matching others the you play with.

Jim Scott

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2021-10-08 4:13 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]EZ-bucket on small tenor, softone on bass.[/quote]

Same for me, depending on which band I'm playing with. We like to match the sound through the section.

Always <B>Softone</B> on bass; occasionally <B>Eazy</B> Bucket for tenor if that's what the rest of the section plays.

Jo-Ral is too heavy; Humes & Berg too awkward.

MalecHeermans · by **MalecHeermans** » 2021-10-08 6:51 p.m.

I use the Peter Gane which is the Cadillac of bucket mutes. It offers the convenience of a Joral style mute without the ridiculous weight and terrible sound/intonation.

But if you need that classic bucket sound there is no replacing the H&B.

One last thought - I always find the indication for bucket mute a disappointment from an arranging standpoint. It’s unlikely to offer any substantial color (if you can hear the section at all with buckets in, which is hardly ever) and, perhaps most importantly, the chances that you will have an entire section bring their buckets is a bit like playing the lotto.

robcat2075 · 2021-10-08 8:23 p.m.

On ebay I ordered what was listed as a 10" H&B bucket mute for bass trombone.

What arrived was an 11" H&B euphonium bucket mute. It turns out there is no H&B bucket mute for bass trombone *. Why a euphonium needs a bucket mute, I'm not sure.

It fits after I bent the metal fingers inward. I can recall borrowing and trying to use the tenor version on my horn many years ago but that was a difficult stretch.

I'm not recommending it but the 11" definitely has the bell bucketed for maximum velvet tone.

* the H&B website currently shows none being manufactured or sold by H&B

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2021-10-08 8:44 p.m.

I've had several H&B buckets for 9 1/2" bass trombone. I remember seeing a listing for a 10 1/2" (Bach "L" bell). With 4 clips they are a bit of a drag to attach or remove, but on one of my mutes someone had modified one clip so it could be rotated out of the way (drilled out one of the two attaching rivets). That mute was really quick to put on and take off, although the 4th clip was essentially useless.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2021-10-08 9:31 p.m.

[quote="MalecHeermans"]... I always find the indication for bucket mute a disappointment from an arranging standpoint. It’s unlikely to offer any substantial color (if you can hear the section at all with buckets in, which is hardly ever) and, perhaps most importantly, the chances that you will have an entire section bring their buckets is a bit like playing the lotto.[/quote]

That doesn't seem to be the case around here. Bucket mutes are frequently called for in many charts for my various big bands (probably more common than cups or plungers; we seldom use straights), and I think a section using them sounds quite nice. We always bring our mutes - no excuse to not have at least a Softone – they're so compact and light you can stuff one in your trombone bell! [And to my apparently unsophisticated ear, they sound pretty decent.]

walldaja · by **walldaja** » 2021-10-09 1:44 p.m.

Thanks guys, gives us something to think about.

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2021-10-13 4:47 p.m.

This <LINK_TEXT text="https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php? ... 67#p143733">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=19567#p143733</LINK_TEXT> very small mod makes a HB bucket easy and very fast to clip on and off. Works very well the tenor 3-clip and the bass 4-clip version.

Best bucket ever, great sound, and now also easy to put on and off.

Skerrett94 · by **Skerrett94** » 2023-10-23 6:32 a.m.

Does anyone know whether a SofTone 8.5 will work on a 7.5 bell? Trying to avoid buying two as I rarely need it. Would rather have one that works for large and small bore.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2023-10-23 8:48 a.m.

[quote="Skerrett94"]Does anyone know whether a SofTone 8.5 will work on a 7.5 bell? Trying to avoid buying two as I rarely need it. Would rather have one that works for large and small bore.[/quote]

As a bucket sub draped over the bell? Yes.

As a practice mute? No.

This is based on using my 9½" bass mute with my symphonic tenor.

I do have an 8" SofTone that I use with all my small bores (7½ to 8 inch bells).

officermayo · by **officermayo** » 2023-10-23 9:46 a.m.

Switched my big band bone section to Soft-Tone neoprene mutes over a year ago.

We love the sound, convenience and not scratching up our bells.

mbarbier · by **mbarbier** » 2023-10-23 11:54 a.m.

I really like the H&B sound and feel wise, but it's slow. Modded mine to slide on like an ezbucket.

Agreed about the JoRal and heaviness. I have one of the neoprene ones, I don't really like the sound, but works well for hotels/fits will in a screw bell case.

I recently borrowed one from a student that Steve Trepani made. 3D printed in the style of a JoRal. I really loved it. Super light, plays well, and really easy to put in and out.

JoeAumann · by **JoeAumann** » 2023-10-23 10:59 p.m.

EZ bucket all the way.

Kdanielsen · by **Kdanielsen** » 2023-10-23 11:11 p.m.

I really like the Ez Bucket

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2023-10-24 12:42 a.m.

I like the Eazy Bucket, but generally use a Softone (along with my big band section mates) - lightweight, compact, and sounds just fine (especially with all 4 of us the same).

ssking2b · by **ssking2b** » 2024-01-15 4:13 p.m.

I use softone and easy buckets on all my horns. Softone for live playing and easy bucket for studio. No complaints.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2024-01-15 4:46 p.m.

Another EZBucket vote. Light, cheap, easy to put on horn without damage, sturdy enough, sounds good. I see now they also make a leather EZBucket.

EriKon · by **EriKon** » 2024-01-15 5:03 p.m.

Basically everyone over here uses the H&B because of the classic sound. I don't find it hard to put on at all and usually Bucket changes are not written within a bar rest. I've always found the EZBucket to sound different, not as "bucket-y" as the original. Also every now and then I play a vintage Peter Gane Bucket. This one is great and has probably the best Bucket sound of all imo but I have a bit of a hard time to slot this one when playing higher than Bb/A (8?th partial). I really liked the Soulo when I tested it twice but still haven't got my own one for no reason.

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