Morningstar Custom Mutes
- dukesboneman
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Apr 02, 2018
I just wanted to take a moment and sing the praises of IIan Morgenstern the owner of Morningstar Custom Mutes.
I was playing a long run (55 shows) of the musical "Crazy For You" . The show had been re-orchestrated so there was more playing involved than the original orchestration. Lots of mute changes and many of them quick changes.
I just wasn`t happy with the sound of my straight mute. One night , I ran across the site for Morningstar Custom Mutes. Liked what I saw so I bought one.
It arrived - Beautiful looking mute, nice adjustable "cork" system, and great clear straight mute sound .
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.
The next day I contacted IIan and told him about the problem. I mentioned that wouldn`t it be nice if it had a handle.
To my surprise, he he went with my idea. Over the next couple of months he would send me computer images of design ideas and ask for my thoughts on it.
It was fun and exciting to be a small part if this design.
I have the Copper Bottom model with the "Handle" on the mute. Great sound and SUPER easy to get in and out of the horn.
If you`re looking for a great straight mute please give IIan and Morningstar Custom Mutes look. Quality product and and wonderful to work with.
https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
I was playing a long run (55 shows) of the musical "Crazy For You" . The show had been re-orchestrated so there was more playing involved than the original orchestration. Lots of mute changes and many of them quick changes.
I just wasn`t happy with the sound of my straight mute. One night , I ran across the site for Morningstar Custom Mutes. Liked what I saw so I bought one.
It arrived - Beautiful looking mute, nice adjustable "cork" system, and great clear straight mute sound .
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.
The next day I contacted IIan and told him about the problem. I mentioned that wouldn`t it be nice if it had a handle.
To my surprise, he he went with my idea. Over the next couple of months he would send me computer images of design ideas and ask for my thoughts on it.
It was fun and exciting to be a small part if this design.
I have the Copper Bottom model with the "Handle" on the mute. Great sound and SUPER easy to get in and out of the horn.
If you`re looking for a great straight mute please give IIan and Morningstar Custom Mutes look. Quality product and and wonderful to work with.
https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
- CalgaryTbone
- Posts: 1460
- Joined: May 10, 2018
I love mine too - doesn't have the handle though! Great idea!
Jim Scott
Jim Scott
- heldenbone
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Aug 21, 2018
I made a similar suggestion when this appeared in the For Sale - Accessories area, using snaps and a nylon strap. It helps with a bass sized mute.
<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?t=33437">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?t=33437</LINK_TEXT>
<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?t=33437">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?t=33437</LINK_TEXT>
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="dukesboneman"]Beautiful looking mute, nice adjustable "cork" system, and great clear straight mute sound .
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.[/quote]
One of my biggest complaints about bulbous-end mutes. And I have small hands, which aggravates the problem.
A mute with some sort of handle or grip that allows quick changes sounds like a great idea! :clever:
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.[/quote]
One of my biggest complaints about bulbous-end mutes. And I have small hands, which aggravates the problem.
A mute with some sort of handle or grip that allows quick changes sounds like a great idea! :clever:
- Bob
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Jul 20, 2018
Like dukesboneman I didn't care for ANY straight mute that I had tried. Online I saw this mute. It looked (?) good so I bought it. I LOVE THE SOUND! I've also received many complements on the sound. Just as described they have "a clarity of articulation and projection to the sound, but still with a degree of warmth". Fantastic! Only one downside - I too have small hands and it's a pain to try to quickly remove the mute...usually I can't. I tried to figure out a type of 'system' for quick removal, but haven't liked any of my ideas yet. I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).
- Dennis
- Posts: 404
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="Bob"]I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).[/quote]
Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?
Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
[quote="Dennis"]<QUOTE author="Bob" post_id="235201" time="1708824965" user_id="3544">
I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).[/quote]
Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?
</QUOTE>
It's still in the tweaking/prototype stage but it's close to being done.
I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).[/quote]
Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?
</QUOTE>
It's still in the tweaking/prototype stage but it's close to being done.
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
Trying out a potential final production prototype of the bass cup this week.....
- Dennis
- Posts: 404
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
Let us know how it is, Harold.
I'm not sure I'm in the market anymore, though. My Jo-Ral cup wasn't working on the pieces my band is taking to NABBA next week. It was too "woofy" and didn't speak clearly on a couple of prominent passages. I have a Wick bass cup I'm using now. Horses for courses, I guess.
I'm not sure I'm in the market anymore, though. My Jo-Ral cup wasn't working on the pieces my band is taking to NABBA next week. It was too "woofy" and didn't speak clearly on a couple of prominent passages. I have a Wick bass cup I'm using now. Horses for courses, I guess.
- raschultz
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Dec 30, 2020
Which bottom material is your favorite, and for what types of music? He offers copper, aluminum, and brass as I recall. My current setup gives a very dark tenor sound.
- dukesboneman
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Apr 02, 2018
I have an aluminum and a copper bottom model. I prefer the copper
- muschem
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Jan 17, 2021
I ordered the copper bottom model for bass and tenor not too long ago. I suggested to Ilan that perhaps a system that allowed interchanging the bottom plate materials would be appealing. There is apparently some subtle design complexity unique to each type, so it isn't as easy as just swapping materials. But, I think it would be awesome to adjust these on the fly for better blend, etc, without significantly increasing the mute bag space required to carry all those options.
- Jhereg
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Apr 10, 2018
I've been working up bass trombone and just had the chance to try both the straight and bass mutes with the copper bottoms, directly in comparison with traditional JoRal mutes.
It was HURTFUL how much better the Morningstar mutes were (because, you know, there goes my $$ haha)
As a commercial trombonist, the downside for me is the size of the mutes when considering available luggage/road case space...but the unique size is also probably why they sound so good.
He's now got a rosewood bottom material option, which I hope to try, but will probably end up going with the copper + straight mute w/handle + standard cup.
It was HURTFUL how much better the Morningstar mutes were (because, you know, there goes my $$ haha)
As a commercial trombonist, the downside for me is the size of the mutes when considering available luggage/road case space...but the unique size is also probably why they sound so good.
He's now got a rosewood bottom material option, which I hope to try, but will probably end up going with the copper + straight mute w/handle + standard cup.