TU23

[Mary Ann]

I was just told tonight that the JK 8C that I'm having great success with is a direct copy of a Miraphone TU 23 that they don't make any more. Can anybody verify this, and if so, what is the reputation / usual use of the TU23? (Nope not planning to look for one; just curious.)

[donn]

The JK Exclusive line I'm looking at is a parameterized series. The number is cup width. "8" is 30.5mm (that actually falls off their current online chart, but luckily a retailer has an older chart.)

The letter is both depth and throat width. "C" is a depth between A = "very deep" and E = "shallowest", with a throat width of 8mm.

So if that's the story here, you have a narrow cup mouthpiece with a medium throat.

The TU23, a.k.a. "C4" in days of yore, is not only not the original model for this, it's more like the opposite. 32mm cup interior, 7.5mm throat. It's pretty markedly shallow bottomed, a rounded "bowl" profile, a point on which the JK info is silent but is not what I'd guess.

Some people like it. Not me.

I have liked the JK mouthpieces I've used, but as luck would have it, never had one from their tuba line.

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[donn]

Interesting, the cosmetic details are very similar - maybe that's what "direct copy" refers to. The pair of groove rings around the body, the knurling above the shank. If the picture is really a JK mouthpiece.

One difference that does appear in the photo, I forgot to mention, the C4/TU23 has a wide rim. May not be a giant difference - the arithmetic implied by the specs in that link makes the 8C 8.25mm, and I measure the C4 at 8.7mm.

There could be some Miraphone mouthpiece that's similar, maybe TU17 or something. Cup is supposed to be a little wider, but measurement technique could account for some of that. Direct copy, no.

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[hrender]

The Miraphone TU23 (formerly C4) is still made so far as I can tell. Local stock is a different issue. I have seen them for sale used. I played one many years ago on a Yamaha YBB-641, and it was a good match for that horn. I've thought about trying one on the horns I have now, but I'm generally happy with the pieces I use for them.

[Mary Ann]

The JK Exclusive line I'm looking at is a parameterized series. The number is cup width. "8" is 30.5mm (that actually falls off their current online chart, but luckily a retailer has an older chart.)

The letter is both depth and throat width. "C" is a depth between A = "very deep" and E = "shallowest", with a throat width of 8mm.

So if that's the story here, you have a narrow cup mouthpiece with a medium throat.

The TU23, a.k.a. "C4" in days of yore, is not only not the original model for this, it's more like the opposite. 32mm cup interior, 7.5mm throat. It's pretty markedly shallow bottomed, a rounded "bowl" profile, a point on which the JK info is silent but is not what I'd guess.

Some people like it. Not me.

I have liked the JK mouthpieces I've used, but as luck would have it, never had one from their tuba line.

Thanks and that fits with my memory of using a C4. I found it wide, didn't have enough sharpness to the rim, and it seemed like my face just fell into it. I don't remember the shallowness "level" but do remember that it seemed shallow. That was very early on so I don't remember more than that. I think I was trying it on my then MW F182.

[donn]

Does the 8C cup profile contour seem to lean towards a right angle at the bottom with the throat, or at the top with the rim, or is it good and conical at both ends?