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Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 2:56 pm
by marioivpetr
Hello, I have a Perantucci PT50+ mouthpiece ... I recently acquired an old BB Tuba B&S 3/4, but apparently with a smaller entrance. The mouthpiece enters with 1/3 of the shank. Could this be a problem?
Thanks!

I apologize if such a topic exists.

Greetings!

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:42 pm
by matt g
Could cause some issues. Someone else might know if swapping the receiver is an easy job on this horn.

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:59 pm
by bloke
If you have any really common mouthpieces sitting on your dresser - or in your sock drawer (ex: Bach-anything / Conn Helleberg), please try those mouthpieces in the receiver and report back to the TubaForum Freak Jury with your observations.

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 1:38 am
by marioivpetr
I tried a Denis Wick 2XL which went in halfway up the shank. I think the moat is a normal position (about 2cm out of 4cm possible).
The entrance of the tuba has an opening of ~14.2mm

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 7:02 am
by marioivpetr
i found that some old european tubas are small bore and they fit a denis wick without the L in the name...i will order a similar one i think it will fit my new-old tuba

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 8:16 am
by bloke
I was hoping that you would try a really common mouthpiece that is only offered in standard shank size.

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 12:22 pm
by marioivpetr
i will try to find a heleberg from a friend and report back.

Re: Tuba mouthpiece shank/entrance

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 12:39 pm
by 2nd tenor
marioivpetr wrote: Thu Nov 24, 2022 2:56 pm Hello, I have a Perantucci PT50+ mouthpiece ... I recently acquired an old BB Tuba B&S 3/4, but apparently with a smaller entrance. The mouthpiece enters with 1/3 of the shank. Could this be a problem?
Thanks!
I would expect a mouthpiece to enter further and yes, it could cause problems. B&S are - maybe that should be ‘were’ - an old German brand so expect some form of Continental European sized mouthpiece to have been originally used.
marioivpetr wrote: Fri Nov 25, 2022 7:02 am i found that some old european tubas are small bore and they fit a denis wick without the L in the name...i will order a similar one i think it will fit my new-old tuba
That would be my suggestion too, but try to get more information before spending your hard earned money. Try to understand what was originally intended to be fitted. A large shank Trombone mouthpiece has, I believe, the same shank size as a small shank Tuba mouthpiece.

Bach used to do a helpful guide but it might have been ‘modernised’ - and stripped of useful information.
See page 32 here: https://www.mouthpieceexpress.com/media ... hmouth.pdf

This thread might help: viewtopic.php?t=870
Tuba mouthpiece shank sizes, a description.
As posted on TubeNet by Matt Walters » Tue Sep 27, 2005

A year or two ago, I made this simplified explanation of the different mouthpiece shank sizes and have sent it to my Dillon Music Customers when I needed to clear up confusion on the shank size issue.

TUBA SHANK SIZES

In the world of tuba mouthpieces, it seems there are five (5) general shank sizes and that, can lead to confusion. The Standard American and European Shank sizes, followed by the Large Shank, are the most common sizes that fit modern production tubas. From smallest to largest, we offer the following information to shed a little light on the subject.

SMALL EUROPEAN: Having a diameter of .490" at small end of shank, this size is offered by Dennis Wick in the sizes 1 through 5. Just make sure you order the one without the "L" in the model number. This size is most commonly used on old Besson tubas and old American Eb tubas. I hear this referred to as the Eb tuba size. Some old German, etc. 3/4 size BBb tubas have also shown up with that receiver size. If you are having trouble figuring out what small size shank your old tuba needs, it is about the same size as a large shank trombone mouthpiece. Borrow one from a trombonist and see for yourself. You can order a Denis Wick mouthpiece, or to have a wider variety of mouthpieces to choose from, consider replacing the receiver for about the price of a mouthpiece.

STANDARD AMERICAN: The reference point for this size of about .520" at the small end of the shank. A good example would be the Bach, and Conn Helleberg tuba mouthpieces. This is the most common size here in the United States. In the Dennis Wick line, you need to make sure it has the "L" in the model number to get this standard size. Our regular size shank Dillon Mouthpieces are also of this size. Besides American built horns, many European horns like Miraphone can use this size.

EUROPEAN SHANK: This is an increasingly popular shank size of about .530" diameter at the small end of the shank. It is found in mouthpieces like the JK Exclusive, Perantucci, Laskey "E" shank, and of course our wonderful Sheridan Series of mouthpieces. Most every European and American tuba built these days, will accept this shank size.

LARGE SHANK: This is a larger size that measures about .550" diameter at the small end of the shank. It works well on the larger European tubas. Especially horns with large diameter leadpipes like the "York" copies and most Alexander model 163 CC tubas. This is the size of our Dillon Music "L" shank mouthpiece and the new Wick 2XL.

KAISER SHANK: With a measurement of about .585" in diameter at the small end of the shank, this truly is a "Kaiser" size. It fits the largest Alexander model 164, a few ‘one off’ model 163's, and some original York receivers we've come across. Anyone needing this size shank will need to get a custom built mouthpiece, or have an adapter made.

I hope this explanation will be of help to you.