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I will be moving next month from my place in the country to a gated subdivision in an HOA. While practicing out here bothers no one but the cows, practicing at night might be a problem in the new place. Is there a Schlipf mute sized appropriately for the 184? Or can anyone recommend another brand and size?

No, I am not looking forward to the move, but I was outvoted by the entire family.

Are you going to have a basement? There are YouTube videos and other places on the internet that show how to build a nearly soundproof practice room within a room. Practice mutes just suck so bad...

I have the #0 listed for the 184 and in stock, ready to ship.

I vote for sound proofing a room; it might be as easy as putting a couple layers of plywood over the window. Practice mutes should be illegal.

bloke wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:23 am Are you going to have a basement? There are YouTube videos and other places on the internet that show how to build a nearly soundproof practice room within a room. Practice mutes just suck so bad...

No. We don't have basements in Texas, as a rule. I have picked out which bedroom (middle of the house) will be my office/studio/whatever, so it may not be a problem, but this IS an HOA.

Mary Ann wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 9:10 am I vote for sound proofing a room; it might be as easy as putting a couple layers of plywood over the window. Practice mutes should be illegal.

If this turns out to be a permanent home, and it probably will, then I will consider soundproofing. But that will bring the property value down in this HOA. I have decided on an inner bedroom to make it into my office, so it may not even be a big deal.

BuddyRogersMusic wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:41 am I have the #0 listed for the 184 and in stock, ready to ship.

So #0 is the correct choice for the 184?

https://www.accio.com/plp/second-hand-s ... h-for-sale

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=so ... &_osacat=0

I test played my Willson Eb in the sound proof room at The Mighty Quinn's warehouse. It's the size of a small bedroom and showed off the horn well enough that when I played it in the high-ceiling warehouse I found I preferred the sound booth. So far, living in the country I don't need a mute often but when I do I toss my beret down the bell.

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bloke wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 6:36 pm https://www.accio.com/plp/second-hand-s ... h-for-sale

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=so ... &_osacat=0

Thanks. Those give me some ideas to try.

MiBrassFS wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 4:34 am I wonder if the Wick practice mute would work in that bell? I use one of those in certain instruments.

The one I use the most often, my “go-to” if you will, is the Humes and Berg practice mute. The problem with those is that H&B is a mystery if or when they’ll decide to make anything. Getting product from them is like pulling teeth and used ones are tough to find.

Very good info. Thanks.

Yes

Jperry1466 wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 6:24 pm

BuddyRogersMusic wrote: Wed Nov 05, 2025 7:41 am I have the #0 listed for the 184 and in stock, ready to ship.

So #0 is the correct choice for the 184?

I want to give a shout out to @BuddyRogersMusic Chris Hite. He sent me the #0, which he thought would fit the 184 but didn't. When I explained it to him, he sent me a #3, which fits perfectly, and a return shipping label for the #0. He was helpful and supportive throughout the process, and I appreciate him greatly.

Yes, it's a practice mute and sounds like one, certainly not a beautiful tuba sound, but it responds well enough, and I can practice at night now without waking up all the neighborhood babies. Practicing during the day is not a problem, so I can play without it then.