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Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:46 am
by walldaja
There are a wide variations of bucket mutes.

What are your "go to" mutes and why?

Thanks

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:04 am
by mbtrombone
soft-tone neoprene practice mute half hanging over the bell. It is light and I rarely use a bucket. I end up using it more for practice and it stores in my music pouch on my case the rare times I need it.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:34 pm
by Bonearzt
The original HB bucket is the only one I use. Tried a Jo-Ral, but it was too unwieldy for me..

Some people prefer to match across the section.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:35 pm
by Burgerbob
EZ-bucket on small tenor, softone on bass.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:43 pm
by CalgaryTbone
The EZ-bucket and Soulo are both nice. H & B has a classic sound, but is a little slower to put on/take off. JoRal is quick for changes but is very heavy to hold. All have pluses and minuses - depends on which you like the best for sound, convenience and matching others the you play with.

Jim Scott

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:13 pm
by Posaunus
Burgerbob wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:35 pm EZ-bucket on small tenor, softone on bass.
Same for me, depending on which band I'm playing with. We like to match the sound through the section.

Always Softone on bass; occasionally Eazy Bucket for tenor if that's what the rest of the section plays.

Jo-Ral is too heavy; Humes & Berg too awkward.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 4:51 pm
by MalecHeermans
I use the Peter Gane which is the Cadillac of bucket mutes. It offers the convenience of a Joral style mute without the ridiculous weight and terrible sound/intonation.

But if you need that classic bucket sound there is no replacing the H&B.

One last thought - I always find the indication for bucket mute a disappointment from an arranging standpoint. It’s unlikely to offer any substantial color (if you can hear the section at all with buckets in, which is hardly ever) and, perhaps most importantly, the chances that you will have an entire section bring their buckets is a bit like playing the lotto.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 6:23 pm
by robcat2075
On ebay I ordered what was listed as a 10" H&B bucket mute for bass trombone.

What arrived was an 11" H&B euphonium bucket mute. It turns out there is no H&B bucket mute for bass trombone *. Why a euphonium needs a bucket mute, I'm not sure.

It fits after I bent the metal fingers inward. I can recall borrowing and trying to use the tenor version on my horn many years ago but that was a difficult stretch.

I'm not recommending it but the 11" definitely has the bell bucketed for maximum velvet tone.

* the H&B website currently shows none being manufactured or sold by H&B

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 6:44 pm
by BGuttman
I've had several H&B buckets for 9 1/2" bass trombone. I remember seeing a listing for a 10 1/2" (Bach "L" bell). With 4 clips they are a bit of a drag to attach or remove, but on one of my mutes someone had modified one clip so it could be rotated out of the way (drilled out one of the two attaching rivets). That mute was really quick to put on and take off, although the 4th clip was essentially useless.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:31 pm
by Posaunus
MalecHeermans wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 4:51 pm ... I always find the indication for bucket mute a disappointment from an arranging standpoint. It’s unlikely to offer any substantial color (if you can hear the section at all with buckets in, which is hardly ever) and, perhaps most importantly, the chances that you will have an entire section bring their buckets is a bit like playing the lotto.
That doesn't seem to be the case around here. Bucket mutes are frequently called for in many charts for my various big bands (probably more common than cups or plungers; we seldom use straights), and I think a section using them sounds quite nice. We always bring our mutes - no excuse to not have at least a Softone – they're so compact and light you can stuff one in your trombone bell! [And to my apparently unsophisticated ear, they sound pretty decent.]

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:44 am
by walldaja
Thanks guys, gives us something to think about.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:47 pm
by marccromme
This https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php? ... 67#p143733 very small mod makes a HB bucket easy and very fast to clip on and off. Works very well the tenor 3-clip and the bass 4-clip version.

Best bucket ever, great sound, and now also easy to put on and off.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 4:32 am
by Skerrett94
Does anyone know whether a SofTone 8.5 will work on a 7.5 bell? Trying to avoid buying two as I rarely need it. Would rather have one that works for large and small bore.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 6:48 am
by BGuttman
Skerrett94 wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 4:32 am Does anyone know whether a SofTone 8.5 will work on a 7.5 bell? Trying to avoid buying two as I rarely need it. Would rather have one that works for large and small bore.
As a bucket sub draped over the bell? Yes.

As a practice mute? No.

This is based on using my 9½" bass mute with my symphonic tenor.

I do have an 8" SofTone that I use with all my small bores (7½ to 8 inch bells).

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:46 am
by officermayo
Switched my big band bone section to Soft-Tone neoprene mutes over a year ago.
We love the sound, convenience and not scratching up our bells.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:54 am
by mbarbier
I really like the H&B sound and feel wise, but it's slow. Modded mine to slide on like an ezbucket.

Agreed about the JoRal and heaviness. I have one of the neoprene ones, I don't really like the sound, but works well for hotels/fits will in a screw bell case.

I recently borrowed one from a student that Steve Trepani made. 3D printed in the style of a JoRal. I really loved it. Super light, plays well, and really easy to put in and out.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 8:59 pm
by JoeAumann
EZ bucket all the way.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:11 pm
by Kdanielsen
I really like the Ez Bucket

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:42 pm
by Posaunus
I like the Eazy Bucket, but generally use a Softone (along with my big band section mates) - lightweight, compact, and sounds just fine (especially with all 4 of us the same).

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:13 pm
by ssking2b
I use softone and easy buckets on all my horns. Softone for live playing and easy bucket for studio. No complaints.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:46 pm
by hyperbolica
Another EZBucket vote. Light, cheap, easy to put on horn without damage, sturdy enough, sounds good. I see now they also make a leather EZBucket.

Re: Bucket Mute

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:03 pm
by EriKon
Basically everyone over here uses the H&B because of the classic sound. I don't find it hard to put on at all and usually Bucket changes are not written within a bar rest. I've always found the EZBucket to sound different, not as "bucket-y" as the original. Also every now and then I play a vintage Peter Gane Bucket. This one is great and has probably the best Bucket sound of all imo but I have a bit of a hard time to slot this one when playing higher than Bb/A (8?th partial). I really liked the Soulo when I tested it twice but still haven't got my own one for no reason.