Parker Mouthpieces

[tobysima`]

My teacher has recommended I buy a Parker Mouthpiece, as I apparently am at the stage where I can get a longtime mouthpiece for Contrabass tuba work. I am definitely purchasing a Helleberg cup, and a Hersey shank, to give the Helleberg the slightly bigger sound that Arnold Jacobs and Charles Daellenbach want, but I have no idea how to shop for a rim. I have ideas on what's comfortable and isn't, and I want to find something that works for me. My teacher likes the Laskey rim, but 32.3 isn't big enough for me - I like 32.5-32.8. Any bigger isn't necessary to me. I do prefer semi-flat rims.

[Pauvog1]

Maybe a Sellmansberger #1 or HLB2? Joe sells both in 32.6

[LeMark]

Are Parker and Sellmansberger compatible? I didn't think they were

[tobysima`]

Are Parker and Sellmansberger compatible? I didn't think they were

I have absolutely no idea. Houser Mouthpieces seems to have stuff from both of them on their site, but Parker also has their own site.

[LeMark]

If houser has Parker on his site, they probably are made by them, which means they are compatible.

I do like the Parker euphonium mouthpiece,

someday I'll get one, they ain't cheap though

[bort2.0]

I think it's as much trial and error as anything else. Keep trying until you find what's right, good enough, or you're tired of looking. Many people get good results by using something good enough, and then practicing and playing the heck out of it.

[tobysima`]

Maybe a Sellmansberger #1 or HLB2? Joe sells both in 32.6

I'd definitely fit better on the #1. Seems to have that nice inner bite for grip and articulation. I could be wrong though.

[tobysima`]

I think it's as much trial and error as anything else. Keep trying until you find what's right, good enough, or you're tired of looking. Many people get good results by using something good enough, and then practicing and playing the heck out of it.

That's what I was thinking. I know I want a semi-flat rim like a Giardinelli with that inner bite of a Helleberg. Not sure what fits that bill, though.

[tobysima`]

If houser has Parker on his site, they probably are made by them, which means they are compatible.

I do like the Parker euphonium mouthpiece,

someday I'll get one, they ain't cheap though

Definitely not cheap. The SM2U is more than good enough for me, though.

[tubazach07]

I would suggest emailing Michael Parker. He is a great tuba player and a great guy.

[Pauvog1]

Are Parker and Sellmansberger compatible? I didn't think they were

Yes, some components are. I use a Parker-helleburg shank on my Symphony.

Most folks I've talked to seem happy with the normal shank. I just wanted something more open (maybe too many years playing on a bucket before switching over?)

[cjk]

Parker lists some Sellmansberger shanks as optional for some of his cups.

You can use the Parker website to figure out what Sellmansberger shanks are compatible with what Parker cups.

Then realize that the Sellmansberger cups would be compatible with the same Parker shanks in that list.

For example, the PARKER-ANDREW HITZ cup lists the Sellmansberger Symphony and Orchestra Grand shanks as being compatible. Go here:
http://www.parkermouthpieces.com/shop/p ... mouthpiece
Drop down the "select shank" menu.
Then all of the Parker shanks in that list would be compatible with the Sellmansberger Symphony and Orchestra Grand cups.
Then all of the Sellmansberger shanks not in that list which are Sellmansberger Symphony compatible would also fit that Parker cup. For example, the Sellmansberger X shank is not listed on the Parker site, but will work just fine with the Parker cups which are compatible with the Sellmansberger Symphony shanks.

Dave Houser also created a 3 piece MK7 (Laskey 30H type cup) which is compatible with the Symphony shanks.

[tobysima`]

Parker lists some Sellmansberger shanks as optional for some of his cups.

You can use the Parker website to figure out what Sellmansberger shanks are compatible with what Parker cups.

Then realize that the Sellmansberger cups would be compatible with the same Parker shanks in that list.

For example, the PARKER-ANDREW HITZ cup lists the Sellmansberger Symphony and Orchestra Grand shanks as being compatible. Go here:
http://www.parkermouthpieces.com/shop/p ... mouthpiece
Drop down the "select shank" menu.
Then all of the Parker shanks in that list would be compatible with the Sellmansberger Symphony and Orchestra Grand cups.
Then all of the Sellmansberger shanks not in that list which are Sellmansberger Symphony compatible would also fit that Parker cup. For example, the Sellmansberger X shank is not listed on the Parker site, but will work just fine with the Parker cups which are compatible with the Sellmansberger Symphony shanks.

Dave Houser also created a 3 piece MK7 (Laskey 30H type cup) which is compatible with the Symphony shanks.

I'm going to use the Hersey backbore - slightly bigger to help my naturally smaller sound out. I do prefer funnel cups, so I'm going with the helleberg cup. Just not sure about the rim, though.

[tobysima`]

I would suggest emailing Michael Parker. He is a great tuba player and a great guy.

I have - I've sort of figured out the rim I want, but not all the way.

[TheDoctor]

I really enjoyed that f tuba Dennis wick inspired one with the short shank, but never bought one

[tobysima`]

I really enjoyed that f tuba Dennis wick inspired one with the short shank, but never bought one

Sounds like a nice piece - I don't own an F tuba yet so I'll worry about that when I get it.

[Levaix]

I do like the Parker euphonium mouthpiece,

someday I'll get one, they ain't cheap though

I didn't know they made a euph piece. Website lists it as a 51D, is it similar to a Schilke?

[Aulb]

I would suggest emailing Michael Parker. He is a great tuba player and a great guy.

Definitely contact Michael. He is a great guy and won't steer you wrong! I use the Chris Hall Artist model with my Eb. It's a great all-around piece for me. My setup is the CJH cb M cup with a Parker-HBG $ shank and a Houser C4LA 32.6 MM rim. I bought mine several years ago at Midwest, and spoke to Michael directly at the show. He talked with me about my playing and what I was looking for, and he set me up with the componenets which best fit my needs.

Andy T.

[tobysima`]

I would suggest emailing Michael Parker. He is a great tuba player and a great guy.

Definitely contact Michael. He is a great guy and won't steer you wrong! I use the Chris Hall Artist model with my Eb. It's a great all-around piece for me. My setup is the CJH cb M cup with a Parker-HBG $ shank and a Houser C4LA 32.6 MM rim. I bought mine several years ago at Midwest, and spoke to Michael directly at the show. He talked with me about my playing and what I was looking for, and he set me up with the componenets which best fit my needs.

Andy T.

So far I'm on the Helleberg cup and Hersey shank, but Michael and I are talking about the rims right now.