Friends,
I have gone back into production on my Tony Clements Mouthpieces, affectionately called "The Soup Can." The description of the various models follows:
I designed these mouthpieces because I wanted to try to get different results from the same mouthpiece. I made the four mouthpieces using BASICALLY the same rim on each; they are slightly curved and cushioned, similar to a Mirafone C4. Further, I made them all heavy walled, as I liked the feel of the extra metal on the mouthpiece, rather like the Monet, R&S Helleberg, Mike Finn and the Deck. If you go back and forth between these mouthpieces, your chops won’t feel the difference, but because of their different construction, different results will be afforded with little effort.
ORCHESTRA (1.32”) – I made this deep mouthpiece to play large orchestra works (with 10-12 cellos and 8-9 basses) and situations where I wanted maximum fundamental and the broadest sound I could get. This model works well with the largest 6/4 tubas. I have had great success with this mouthpiece on the Yorkbrunner (and now the YamaYork), the Gronitz PCK & PCM, Eastman 6/4, MW 6450 Baer, the Wessex Prokofiev BBb, and the 164 Alexander. Several clients have purchased this mouthpiece for use with the Mirafone 191 and the 1291 with excellent results.
ENSEMBLE (1.32”) – This mouthpiece has the same ‘feel’ as the Orchestra model; the rim is identical. The cup is SLIGHTLY shallower and the throat is smaller. I use this mouthpiece on the MW Tuono, Hirsbrunner HB2, Alexander 163 and the Gronitz PCM, as well as Mirafone 186 & 188. This mouthpiece also works well on the YamaYork, when I need a bit more projection. I have used it on my Gronitz F’s (FZ-127 & PF-125) and the NP Meinl Weston, when I wanted my F tuba to sound like a CC. I use this mouthpiece in smaller orchestral settings (6-8 cellos & 4-5 basses) or where I want a slightly lighter sound, as in quintet. This is the best all around mouthpiece as it makes PLENTY of sound when needed; yet you can get real light and soft on it.
UTILITY (1.30”) – The rim on this mouthpiece is identical to the Orchestra and Ensemble, but it is just SLIGHTLY smaller. I intended this mouthpiece to be able to do everything; band, orchestra & chamber music. This mouthpiece is exceptional for sousaphone and BANDA MUSIC, where high volume and focus of sound is needed. I have had several students and clients purchase this mouthpiece for 4/4 German-Style rotary tubas, and I think it sounds great. Also, it is a wonderful bass (F/Eb) tuba mouthpiece.
SOLO – (1.30”) – I made this mouthpiece because of the demands of many solo works. This mouthpiece is nearly identical to the UTILITY, except that the throat is more open and the cup is slightly shallower. With the shallow cup, this mouthpiece has exceptional projection qualities. I’ve used this mouthpiece on the MW Norm Pearson F, Yamaha 641F, Alex 163 & Gronitz PCM CCs and the Gronitz FZ & Dehmal F’s. Works played on this mouthpiece are Bydlo, Gregson Concerto, Morning Song, Bach E-flat Sonata, and Fantastique. If you want to pop out a high B-flat, this mouthpiece will make it happen.
They are heavy silver plated. My mouthpieces are carried exclusively by Tim's Band Instruments, in Carmichael, California. Contact them for purchase:
Thank you!
