Pixie Mute Recommendation
- Geordie
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Mar 30, 2018
Our big band has an Ellington show scheduled for 2026. Not sure we will use pixies much after that. No one in our section owns one currently.
Any recommendations for makers to go for, and any UK suppliers please?
Like the look of Saltshakers but concerned about shipping and import duties etc, so I guess a UK supplier is probably the low cost option. Seeing big differences in prices.
Any recommendations for makers to go for, and any UK suppliers please?
Like the look of Saltshakers but concerned about shipping and import duties etc, so I guess a UK supplier is probably the low cost option. Seeing big differences in prices.
- EriKon
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Apr 03, 2022
Either Salt Shaker or get a normal Humes & Berg and remove the stem in it.
- NathanSobieralski
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Feb 04, 2024
In addition to the Salt Shaker we also have a "traditional" pixie mute (with some of our own touches of course). :)
[url]https://s-mute.com/products/trombone-pixie-mute
- EriKon
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Apr 03, 2022
Sorry, of course I meant to write S-Mute and not Salt Shaker
- bkessler
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Oct 23, 2019
I've got several pixies and a few trumpet straight mutes with built up corks, and ever since I got the S-mute one, it's the only one I reach for. While it doesn't have quite the same sound as the H&B (which also doesn't have the same sound as an old metal trumpet straight with corks built up), it's sooo much easier to play on. Much more in tune, much more responsive through the whole range, and takes a lot less air adjustment. I did find that adding a little aluminum foil under the end cap got me a bit closer in sound to a H&B. Using the S-Mute with plunger now for Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, and it's working great. (nicely done Nathan!)
- NathanSobieralski
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Feb 04, 2024
[quote="bkessler"]I did find that adding a little aluminum foil under the end cap got me a bit closer in sound to a H&B. Using the S-Mute with plunger now for Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, and it's working great. (nicely done Nathan!)[/quote]
Thanks for the nice words! Also, very cool experimentation. I'm sure others will appreciate this idea and will like to experiment with that as well.
Thanks for the nice words! Also, very cool experimentation. I'm sure others will appreciate this idea and will like to experiment with that as well.
- rdalton
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Oct 23, 2020
I am also a big fan of Nathan's Pixie Mute. I might have to experiment with the aluminum foil.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I have 2 H&B's that play differently. Finding the right plunger seems to make at least as much difference as the pixie. But I guess I'll have to try Nathan's.
The Nutcracker is the only time I use it and that will be finished in a week.
The Nutcracker is the only time I use it and that will be finished in a week.