Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post Reply
bubblelord
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:01 am

Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by bubblelord »

I'm playing in a contemporary ensemble and a part calls for "buzz mute". According to a friend who consulted with the composer on the piece, the mute choice was based on the sound of Dave Taylor's buzzer mute that he's used for pieces like Houdini's Lament, the Buzz/B Quirky stuff and others. Anybody know more about what it is and how to make one? Can't seem to find anything about it.

Thanks
mbarbier
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu May 17, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by mbarbier »

There used to be an old Humes and Berg mute (long out of productiom) that had Kazoo membranes in it. Generally that marking is referring to those.

It would be pretty easy to make as you'd just need to drill holes in the bottom and glue them in (if you search for a H&B Buzz Wow you can find a picture). The made ones have big bolts, but if you take one apart, it's just a kazoo membrane inside.
trombone faculty at CalArts and LA City College
1/2 of RAGE Thormbones
they/them
https://mattiebarbier.bandcamp.com/
http://www.mattiebarbier.com/
Posaunus
Posts: 3424
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:54 pm
Location: California

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by Posaunus »

A few years ago, I used a gift certificate from Dillon's Music to order a Humes & Berg Mel-O-Wah mute (thair version of a "Wah-Wah" mute). They were back-ordered, but I was patient, since I only wanted it as a novelty, with no urgent need. After 6 months, Dillon's contacted H&B to learn that they would only make these rare mutes if they had orders for at least 10 of them - so they probably would never make them again! :weep: I instead ordered a Denis Wick 50th Anniversary gold-anodized tenor straight mute. I use it and love it! :idea:
mbarbier
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu May 17, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by mbarbier »

Posaunus wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:36 am A few years ago, I used a gift certificate from Dillon's Music to order a Humes & Berg Mel-O-Wah mute (thair version of a "Wah-Wah" mute). They were back-ordered, but I was patient, since I only wanted it as a novelty, with no urgent need. After 6 months, Dillon's contacted H&B to learn that they would only make these rare mutes if they had orders for at least 10 of them - so they probably would never make them again! :weep: I instead ordered a Denis Wick 50th Anniversary gold-anodized tenor straight mute. I use it and love it! :idea:

The mel-o-wah is my favorite mute- such a great sound! We went through that same song and dance with H&B a few years ago when some were needed for a project. Think we got up 5, so missed the threshold 😂😂. But figured out that the Mannie Klein is almost identical to them, so you can turn one into a Mel-O-Wah pretty quickly.

It's a shame that so many of their great and quirky mute are unofficially discontinued
trombone faculty at CalArts and LA City College
1/2 of RAGE Thormbones
they/them
https://mattiebarbier.bandcamp.com/
http://www.mattiebarbier.com/
baileyman
Posts: 965
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:33 pm

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by baileyman »

Making a good buzz mute is hard. I have a NOS H&B model, and it doesn't work very well. I think maybe if I shaved the corks way down it might work better. I've tried a number of ideas, and DJ has, too. the problem is to get enough buzz sound out without getting too much trombone sound out. Alan Kaplan makes what he calls "the pie plate mute", which is exactly that. Hold a somewhat crinkled aluminum pie plate up to the bell pretty tight and blow! With that idea in mind DJ made a custom one for me out of titanium sheet (?!?!?!), and it's pretty good as the buzz is more of a slap on the bell. I have no idea how Frank got such a great buzz sound. It must've taken a lot of trial and error, or maybe he just got lucky.
bubblelord
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:01 am

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by bubblelord »

Thanks!
User avatar
jacobgarchik
Posts: 192
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 6:07 pm

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by jacobgarchik »

https://www.hirschmanmutes.com/#tbn_stinger

https://www.hirschmanmutes.com/#prettyPhoto/51/

poor man's version: take standard plunger, drill or cut hole in the middle, insert standard kazoo
baileyman
Posts: 965
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:33 pm

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by baileyman »

Still, the balance between horn sound and buzz...
User avatar
heldenbone
Posts: 98
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:17 pm
Location: Ohio

Re: Dave Taylor buzzer mute

Post by heldenbone »

baileyman wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:15 am Making a good buzz mute is hard. I have a NOS H&B model, and it doesn't work very well. I think maybe if I shaved the corks way down it might work better. I've tried a number of ideas, and DJ has, too. the problem is to get enough buzz sound out without getting too much trombone sound out. Alan Kaplan makes what he calls "the pie plate mute", which is exactly that. Hold a somewhat crinkled aluminum pie plate up to the bell pretty tight and blow! With that idea in mind DJ made a custom one for me out of titanium sheet (?!?!?!), and it's pretty good as the buzz is more of a slap on the bell. I have no idea how Frank got such a great buzz sound. It must've taken a lot of trial and error, or maybe he just got lucky.
Much like tuning a fine vintage kazoo, I imagine. If the bolts on the bottom of the mute are tighter than just barely touching the membrane, they will greatly damp the sympathetic vibration of the sounding membranes. My kazoo behaves the same way. If it is too tight, there is no buzz. :idea:
Post Reply

Return to “Accessories”