TubaForum.net

tofu wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:40 pm depends on the horn / genre of music / venue

For different tuba(s):

Bloke solo #2 rim
Bloke Imperial #2 rim
LM-10 Tommy Johnson with a Houser rim
Schilke 67 (old style) modified
Wick I and Wick II (both old style)

For Sousaphone & Helicon

Kelleyberg
Bloke Solo with Lexan rim

How different or similar is the stainless steel Tommy Johnson thing to the old Marcinkiewicz "N" mouthpiece?

Mt Vernon Bach 18 and a Bloke Solo.

bloke wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:57 pm

tofu wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:40 pm depends on the horn / genre of music / venue

For different tuba(s):

Bloke solo #2 rim
Bloke Imperial #2 rim
LM-10 Tommy Johnson with a Houser rim
Schilke 67 (old style) modified
Wick I and Wick II (both old style)

For Sousaphone & Helicon

Kelleyberg
Bloke Solo with Lexan rim

How different or similar is the stainless steel Tommy Johnson thing to the old Marcinkiewicz "N" mouthpiece?

I don’t know personally - never had or used the Marcinkiewicz (if I recall N4) although my understanding is that there is some difference. I’d buy one to see if it was available super cheap, but the Imperial and LM-10 work so well in my 185 I can’t believe the N4 would be an improvement. I’ve got the original LM-10 and it was supposedly designed (or input given) by TJ and what he used in his 185 - I seem to vaguely recall he was prior to that using an N4 - so I assume that was the basis for the LM-10. I can see why he liked it in that horn - especially for recording or solo purposes. Interestingly the Imperial works very well in my 185 too, but it is a very different horn with the Imperial vs the LM-10. The Imperial gives it a much more Contrabass sound and the articulation is superb - it works well for concert band settings and what I use in it 70% of the time. Where as the LM-10 gives it a much more bass tuba sound & color. It’s also louder with lessor articulation vs the Imperial. Jim Self has a 185 - I never thought to wonder what he uses in it and there is another studio guy out the west coast who uses a 185 for recording work whose name escapes me - don’t know what he uses in it either.

Josef Klier 3AA on Besson 994GS (instrument has higher resistance, big bore mouthpiece)
Josef Klier 3C on Amati B&F Kaiser (Lower resistance instrument, smaller bore)

Switched it up a little lately: I've gone much shallower on the BBs and deeper on the Eb

1) BBb Sousaphone and Conn 20J - Giddings Jon Gross

2) Meinl Weston 20 -Bobo Symphonic

3) Eb Sousaphone and Holton Franken-Eb - Bach 18... Tried it out based on some old posts from @Bob Kolada... really helps pull the sharp upper register down.

On a Yamaha BBb Neo - Mercer and Barker Cattanach (MB5) strangely enough.

Low parts in Brass Band, but also in 10 piece/orchestra etc. Good all rounder for BBb.

Bach 7 since the 1980's.

Mark

I only play a JP377 compensating Eb. I use a Mercer and Barker MB3 for brass band and a Kellyberg for concert bands or anywhere I need easier/more resonant low register.

I'm just experimenting between my old DEG ME5 that I used to use on my old 186 and the Mirafone 2 that came with my horn. I think the answer for me might lie somewhere in the middle, but my chops ain't what they used to be, so I'll work with what I have before getting a blokepiece.

Laskey 28G......... for my 1970 Miraphone 186 BBb. I also have a 28H that I bought a few years before I could get my hands on the 28G. Scott (Laskey) had told me to get the 28G for the Miraphone rotary valve, as it gives a little more "pop" to the beginning of notes (His description). I've also noticed that I get a better sound, along with a bit more comfort for a longer period of time.