Mouthpiece recs for VMI 3301 (B&S PT-2)

[gnimoyw]

Basically the title - I purchased this VMI 3301 a few months ago and haven't found the right mouthpiece for it yet. As I mentioned elsewhere, this is the first time I've had a piston horn and I read somewhere that piston/rotor horns often prefer different mouthpieces. The only three mouthpieces I have around at PT-50 (this has been my go-to but I don't love it on this horn), PT-88 (too big for anything I have), and a classic Helleberg. Neither the 50 nor the Helleberg seems quite right for this. I welcome recommendations to try and/or ridicule for asking a dumb question.

[arpthark]

I had the CC version which was the PT-20P, very similar layout and size.

I actually played the PT-44 a lot on that horn. It was kind of a mini-PT-50. Medium-ish funnel. I think playing a big mouthpiece on a small horn (PT-50, PT-88) produces weird, amorphously barky results.

It’s impossible to diagnose mouthpiece woes over the internet, but figure out what you don’t love about the 50 and the Helleberg and try to change it up based on that assessment. If you don’t want to break the bank, try a Helleberg 7B (smaller cup) or Bach 18 (cushier rim, more bowl-shaped).

In general, and as has been said here before, I think the 50 and 88 are just too big for most people and create a lot of extra work for the player to get a desired sound. That said, one of the best players at my college who is currently in the Army Field Band played everything on a PT-88 and sounded amazing, but obviously YMMV.

[gnimoyw]

That's really helpful, thanks.

[bloke]

These mouthpieces are not cheap (because the only standard shank version of this that I currently offer is 3-piece modular stainless steel), but my (over time, biggest seller) Sellmansberger "Symphony" model ($250, when you buy shank/cup/rim) sounds best to me - with tubas such as yours.

Lately (as I've started offering some of my models in 1-piece (not modular, just "regular") silver plated brass for less...and with a little bit of tweaking) I've been selling a whole bunch of the ($175 silver plated brass) OG Ultimate (OG stands for "Orchestra Grand"), but (personal opinion...) if you're looking for the "prettiest" sound with the size tuba you've got there, I'd (with apologies for the pricing, but it is what it is) recommend the modular steel "Symphony" model.

(I offer a "Symphony" cup/back-bore silver-plated underpart - to accept stainless steel rims, but the shank size is in-between standard and euro...yeah, I should have just made them standard shank ...and you would still need to purchase one of my various rims (from me, or used from someone else).

Both the "Symphony" and "Orchestra Grand" (OG Ultimate silver-plated brass) are roughly "Conn 120 Helleberg" DEPTH, but NEITHER are Hellebergs.
The Symphony sounds much prettier/"covered", yet resonant than a Helleberg 120, and the Orchestra Grand offers more presence (particularly suited to either 6/4, or someone who is looking for more clarity without resorting to a shallow up).

As seen in this picture (taken just outside my shop) I've BOUGHT and SOLD a 3301 (and tested my mouthpieces on it).
(They're good tubas, and sort of interesting as - at least, it seems to me - they are a BB-flat interpolation of a C instrument, rather than the other way around.)

ALL OF THAT SAID (being a B&S instrument) the in-between shank version of the Symphony (silver-plated brass, and threaded for a rim) might work out best.

[Sousaswag]

I had a 3302 for quite a long time. I recall using a PT-48 with it, if you want to stick to the PT/RT line.

[gnimoyw]

Thanks to both of you, very helpful and things to consider.

[gnimoyw]

I actually had a PT-44 in a box (no idea where I got it) and tried it out yesterday. Much better than the PT-50. Need some more time with it to see if it's the right mouthpiece for the horn, but will give it a go for a few weeks and see if I want to keep looking. Thanks for the recs everyone!

[bloke]

I actually had a PT-44 in a box (no idea where I got it) and tried it out yesterday. Much better than the PT-50. Need some more time with it to see if it's the right mouthpiece for the horn, but will give it a go for a few weeks and see if I want to keep looking. Thanks for the recs everyone!

I kept hearing about PT-50 over and over and over and over throughout the years.
Before I released my most recent model of mouthpiece (which is in the same rough size range, according to specs listed) I bought a 50 used in good condition (having almost never spent any time with one) just to A/B with my newest model before I started producing it beyond the prototype.
To each his own, but those 50's sure are a lot of work for the quantity and quality results obtained..."in my opinion".
(My Symphony model that I recommended to you is not my most recent one. I believe you would be more happy with it with that tuba, and it's also in the same rough size range as a 50.)

[LibraryMark]

I have a VMI 3302 and have used a PT-88 with it for years. I try other mouthpieces from time to time but always seem to gravitate back to the 88. Big sound, easy low range.

[PlayTheTuba]

I purchased my 4097 (pt20) rotary CC version in 2023 and received it in 2024.



When I was in highschool, I wanted a bigger mouthpiece than the Bach 22 that I had. I used a PT 48 mouthpiece for everything except marching band at the time. I did play on a VMI 3301 throughout highschool.

SHORT ANSWER

RT 44 - Funnel shaped

RT 82 - If you want something bowl shaped that's similar size to the 44.

RT 48 - if you want something bigger than the RT 44 but smaller than a RT 50.

RT 50 - my horn came with it and Robert Tucci recommended it via email.

LONG ANSWER

BUT, when I was waiting for my horn to arrive to the USA, Robert Tucci via email said the RT 50 is meant for my horn. My horn also came with a RT 50. I personally find it too big. I could get used to it, but I would most likely use the pt 48 or the 2 piece steel Kellyburg as the "big" mouthpiece instead.

In my opinion, I don't believe my horn is that picky with mouthpieces. The only thing my 2 piece steel Kelly X-Small does is make things easier to lip up, and the mouthpiece is small enough where it might raise the overall pitch slightly. Not a big deal, since the main slide would be just lightly pulled out. Otherwise it has the same tendencies as any other mouthpiece.

Right now I've been using the RT 82 (bowl shaped cup) since I think it works better for the parts that I'm playing. HOWEVER, I should practice and use the RT 44 more. I think the RT 44 would sound better and be the better all around mouthpiece.

[tubaing]

Not helpful answer:

I had a 3302 in high school 06-10

I liked my Conn 2 and a really funky looking Cooley Helleburg (i never was able to buy that one)

[bloke]

I would agree with someone else's response that most any mouthpiece that isn't a piece of crap would play that tuba fairly well. (Remember that I had one here for a bit and spend a little bit of time playing on it.)

I just have personal biases against wide rims, sharp inner edges, and giant throats.

[Kctuba]

I loved the PT 44 and 48 on these.