Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

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jessejames
Posts: 17
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by jessejames »

Tuba mouthpieces, even a Bach 24AW which is supposed to be of a smaller size, just don't fit my face! Does anyone have a suggestion for a mouthpiece that has a tuba shank and works well for a smaller tuba? I actually own a Bach 30E but even that doesn't work for me.
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

How does the mouthpiece not "fit your face"? A tuba mouthpiece isn't going to fit like a trombone mouthpiece anymore than a trumpet mouthpiece will.
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jessejames
Posts: 17
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by jessejames »

I really don't have a lot of upper lip (red of the lip to the tip of my nose) and find that I don't get a good seal at the corners when using a tuba mouthpiece. Both upper and lower lips are fairly thin. Sorry for not explaining that before.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Conn Helleberg 7B is about as small as I would go.
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

The Bach 32E is a little smaller than the 30.

I've used Marcinkiewicz 105 and 107 mouthpieces on my 1892 Conn Eb tuba. Might also work.

Also see if you can try the Mirafone H2 (it's also a Helleberg style).
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SimmonsTrombone
Posts: 174
Joined: Jul 24, 2018

by SimmonsTrombone »

Arrange a Skype session with Doug. Or telephone Joe Sellmansberger at MidSouth Music near Memphis. He specializes in tuba mouthpieces.
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Doug_Elliott
Posts: 4155
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Doug_Elliott »

Try anything but a 24AW. It's small inside but with a stupidly wide rim.

I make narrow rims for tuba, for exactly the reason you need it. I think my Narrow rim shape is thinner than any others available, and I can make extra thin rims like a bass trombone rim, if necessary. In my mouthpieces there are lots of choices.
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jessejames
Posts: 17
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by jessejames »

Yes, that rim on the 24AW is super wide. I'll look at Doug's tuba mouthpiece sizes online and maybe connect with him at TMEA.

Thanks for all the comments!
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sirisobhakya
Posts: 445
Joined: Jun 11, 2018

by sirisobhakya »

I don’t think this is useful, but I used a Yamaha 60B (a bass trombone mouthpiece) when I had to double on tuba. The shank can fit small shank receiver, sitting deep into the leadpipe. For large shank it fit loosely and I don’t trust laying a tuba down with the mouthpiece in.

My sound was like a tuba, though, from my former band director’s comment.