The standard Stoneline mute, Humes and Berg, is discounted to $24 at Osmun Brass, and is the universal first mute, and likely the last you'll ever need. After that, try different mutes as they come through sections you play in. You may find one that especially pleases you and is specific to the horn you use. I have an aluminum mute with a wooden end cap, made by Jenco, that is gorgeous sounding on a big NS horn. Mine is full of dents and I've shimmed the corks for my Cleveland Chambers, but it gives me a very special sound. I've never seen another Jenco, so I don't know if I could ever replace it. For my medium bell Paxman 42, I have a solid copper mute that gives a much better sound in that horn. Since the Paxman and the Chambers are my main horns, I have carefully optimized these mutes for them. A horn player lives and dies based on the quality of his sound and should match himself very carefully to his equipment. Price plays a role in this, but not to a large extent. My Paxman 42 with a solid copper mute and my cutom mouthpiece, although very pricey even used, is appreciating yearly, so costs me nothing. I replaced the Chambers I've used since '62 with a NOS Cleveland horn that only cost $450 on ebay, and isn't even broken in yet. The fellow who sold it to me gloated over the fact that he got it as a 'buy it now' item for $60 the previous week. Smart and dilligent shopping pays off. At any price level, a really good instrument should be worth what you paid for it.
I've had good luck with ebay because I do my own restorations, but there are reputible dealers around who sell only first class instruments. When I got my Paxman, I was calling around to locate a new Holton descant, in stock. Bob Osmun sold me the Paxman, used, for just a few dollars more. Then I was delighted to find the Paxman has a sixth valve F attachment, which I find a necessity for using a Bb horn full range in a double section. I certainly can't complain. Together, the Paxman and the Chambers cost less than a good used Elkhart 8D. 8Ds are nice, but not that nice. _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
