Mouthpiece for Rudy 3/4 CC

[tubacorbin]

I’ve just acquired a Rudy 3/4 CC. This one dates to the late 1960s and plays magically. The G and C at the top of staff are even right on and the sound/response/evenness are to die for.

The mouthpiece I’m already using seems to be a good fit, but I’m curious what others have tried and liked? I also can’t quite tell yet if a Euro or American shank work better. Thanks in advance!

[daktx2]

I miss my Rudy! It was the same era and dynamite condition, I regret selling it, though I'm sure the military band guy I sold it to put it to good use.

Mine was not picky on mouthpieces in terms of "not agreeing" with different shanks and cup sizes, it played pretty well with a wide variety, American and Euro shank. I think it was technically a euro shank receiver, but nothing I tried messed up the intonation or made things squirrelly.

However I found that, unlike some horns, different mouthpieces could get what felt like drastically different sound characteristics out of it (though those differences might have been less drastic out front).

I used 2 different mouthpieces with it. For big ensemble playing, I used a Helleberg, which was effective at making the tuba sound bigger and a bit blander than it was, which was nice for concert band playing.

On the other extreme, the former owner had left an old PT7 (modern pt68 equivalent) in the case. It was a great fit to get a more distinctive quintet/solo sound out of it. I really, really liked the PT7, as it brought out what made the Rudy different from other tubas I had owned up to that point.. I suspect "medium large" sized mouthpieces like the pt 36 or similar from other brands would get you something halfway in between the two extremes I described.

Enjoy it!

[bloke]

You're lucky to find one without the tuning quirks.

Those are sorta 186-like IN THAT you can mold them into whatever you want them to be via various types of mouthpieces.

Most anything works with those...UNLESS (??) something shallow causes those sharp tendencies to rear their ugly heads (??).

[MiBrassFS]

I seem to remember that they came with an RM1 which was a Tilz M1 in disguise which was also the PT1 under the old number system which was renumbered the PT36…

Whew! How that’s for a run on!

[tubacorbin]

Thanks, everyone! Since my current mouthpiece is based on a Helleberg, I'll probably look at adding something Geib-based, to compare.

[arpthark]

I'd love to see pics of the horn.

[tubacorbin]

I'd love to see pics of the horn.

I’m not sure if this will work, but I posted a few here:

[arpthark]

Looks fantastic! Was that the one for sale in NYC? What were the aforementioned series of events? Sorry to derail the mouthpiece thread, but who doesn't love a good tuba acquisition story?

I owned one several years ago, nice tuba, but with the tuning quirks. I rather liked it regardless.

[tubacorbin]

The one and the same! From what I know, it was one of the first Rudy 3/4s to come to America and was completely overhauled by Lee Stofer in 2021. I became aware of this tuba about 10 years ago talking to @bort2.0. He spent a summer with this tuba and has waxed poetic about it ever since. I'd always wanted to try this particular one, because who wouldn't want to try a horn that someone claimed "was possibly the best tuba I've ever played"? I also love a Rudy in general, having owned a 3/4 and 5/4 CC in the past.

When it was posted for sale, the timing wasn't right as I had just bought an F tuba, so I had to sell that and pray this would still be around when that was finalized. The seller and I looked at our message history, and we'd been talking for a year exactly, almost down to the day. I'm mostly just amazed that no one else bought it in that time frame. I have to think it's the rising popularity of the 6/4 horns these days that left it on the market. For whatever reason, I feel very lucky!

[bort2.0]

I used a Rudy Meinl 1 (RM1 -- not the RM1-dot) on it, and it was magical. The combo was so good, I gave the mouthpiece to Sam when I returned the tuba to him, because I couldn't stand to think the two were separated. Before Sam sold the Rudy, he sent the RM 1 back to me. I can't remember if I still have it or not.

Pretty sure that I sold it last year (had some real messy times to get through), but if I still have it I'll send it to you. No promises!

[bloke]

I had one of these fall into my possession - several years ago - for peanuts.

I had previously sold it new, added a (genuine parts) 5th valve to it later (for the person who bought it from us), and the person to whom I sold it ended up in debt (one of those break-up situations...) and offered it to me (their price, not mine) for a really low price.

I kept it around here for a short time, but - as with so many tubas, particularly after we begin to own several really great instruments - too much "overlap".

[tubamuphone]

I've had my 3/4 RM CC for about 11-12 years now, these are extremely versatile horns and when you find a good one...wow! If you haven't tried one yet, I'd recommend a Laskey 28H mouthpiece, I have more mouthpieces than I'd care to admit to and I've always come back to the 28H. Sound and response are even up and down with this setup, for me it's a no brainer.

Mine is from the late 70s/early 80s and uses an American shank. It has great pitch other than a couple of alternate fingerings (F#/Gb at the top of the staff is 23, Eb right below the staff is 15, E right below the staff is 3). I've used it on solo recitals, recording sessions, quintet, chamber operas, and large scale operas (Salome was a blast with this bad boy). I've said for years that this would be the last tuba I sell whenever I downsize, these are so versatile and they project like a canon. Congrats and welcome to the club!

JB

[Pauvog1]

I imagine a Sellmansberger Symphony would be a great choice. Plus you get your pick of rim profile.