New Product from S-Mute: Trombone Pixie Mute

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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

By popular demand, I present to you the "Pixie" mute for trombone! Pictured here is a prototype that has gone through a series of testing over the last few weeks. The mute produces a nice buzzing pixie sound and plays well throughout the range. Like all of our mutes, this mute features our patented removable cork system so you can adjust the depth of the mute in your bell. A vital feature in a pixie mute!

The end cap un screws like the Salt Shaker, allowing you to either install or remove an included felt pad per your sound preference.

First batch ships out on or before 7/2/25 (likely before) Reduced initial pricing is active for these initial runs of this mute.

As always I'm here to answer questions you may have.

[url]https://s-mute.com/products/trombone-pixie-mute

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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

Removable internal felt pad:

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ngrinder
Posts: 294
Joined: Apr 24, 2018

by ngrinder »

I assume the black one is the same plastic material as the Salt Shaker, but are the metallic offerings aluminum? Thanks for making mutes!!
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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

Thanks for the question. My mutes are all made from the same base material. The color options have some sparkle in the finish hence the "metallic" as part of the description, but they are still plastic underneath. Hope that helps.

[quote="ngrinder"]I assume the black one is the same plastic material as the Salt Shaker, but are the metallic offerings aluminum? Thanks for making mutes!![/quote]
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drpmorris99
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 08, 2025

by drpmorris99 »

When do people actually use the pixie mute? I've never seen it called for directly in any big band charts I play (local community band level). I see, "mute" which I assume to be straight, then cup mute and bucket mute and a bit of plunger and hat. But I've never seen pixie called on. I know it's often used in conjunction with the plunger, but do you always use it when using a plunger or only in certain circumstances?

Just curious!

Cheers
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

[quote="drpmorris99"]When do people actually use the pixie mute? I've never seen it called for directly in any big band charts I play (local community band level). I see, "mute" which I assume to be straight, then cup mute and bucket mute and a bit of plunger and hat. But I've never seen pixie called on. I know it's often used in conjunction with the plunger, but do you always use it when using a plunger or only in certain circumstances?

Just curious!

Cheers[/quote]

I've never seen it called for in any music. It's used most commonly in conjunction with a plunger for a "ya-ya" sound in a solo. The pixie was derived from trombonists stealing a trumpet Non-Pareil mute with slightly built up corks for the same effect. The Non-Pareil had intonation issues and the Pixie was developed to address them.
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Doug_Elliott
Posts: 4155
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Doug_Elliott »

Ellington transcriptions.

Al Grey used it too.
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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

A nice review came in today:

David Dewitt- Performer and Educator:

My Pixie Mute arrived today and I LOVE It!!! I`ve been playing with a Pixie and Plunger for around 45 years. This is the 1st really responsive pixie I`ve played in years. And the low range is not lost.
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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

Quite a few of these out in the wild now. Feedback has been great so far, which aligns with what we heard from players during development. We are excited about this product!
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EriKon
Posts: 636
Joined: Apr 03, 2022

by EriKon »

Played a few first notes on this one today! It's awesome! Finally a pixie that plays in tune!!!!! (and sounds good!)

Looking forward to use this in concert! The felt in there gives a nice mellow touch to it, without felt it's more like the classic pixie (H&B) sound.
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slipperyslide
Posts: 13
Joined: Mar 17, 2023

by slipperyslide »

I bit the bullet and bought one of Nathan's pixie mutes, very happy with it (though I need to work on my plunger technique!).

It actually shipped very quickly to Australia, so I had a bit of time to customise with acrylic spray paint left over from a kid's project... 8-)

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<YOUTUBE id="odjg7Z2tQLI">[media]https://youtube.com/shorts/odjg7Z2tQLI?feature=share</YOUTUBE>
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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

[quote="slipperyslide"]I bit the bullet and bought one of Nathan's pixie mutes, very happy with it (though I need to work on my plunger technique!).

It actually shipped very quickly to Australia, so I had a bit of time to customise with acrylic spray paint left over from a kid's project... 8-)[/quote]

I love the custom paint job well done!
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NathanSobieralski
Posts: 226
Joined: Feb 04, 2024

by NathanSobieralski »

Grab your pixie mute before the holiday rush!

[url]https://s-mute.com/products/trombone-pixie-mute

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