TromboneChat

I just wanted to take a moment and sing the praises of IIan Morgenstern the owner of Morningstar Custom Mutes.
I was playing a long run (55 shows) of the musical "Crazy For You" . The show had been re-orchestrated so there was more playing involved than the original orchestration. Lots of mute changes and many of them quick changes.
I just wasn`t happy with the sound of my straight mute. One night , I ran across the site for Morningstar Custom Mutes. Liked what I saw so I bought one.
It arrived - Beautiful looking mute, nice adjustable "cork" system, and great clear straight mute sound .
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.
The next day I contacted IIan and told him about the problem. I mentioned that wouldn`t it be nice if it had a handle.
To my surprise, he he went with my idea. Over the next couple of months he would send me computer images of design ideas and ask for my thoughts on it.
It was fun and exciting to be a small part if this design.
I have the Copper Bottom model with the "Handle" on the mute. Great sound and SUPER easy to get in and out of the horn.
If you`re looking for a great straight mute please give IIan and Morningstar Custom Mutes look. Quality product and and wonderful to work with.
https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes

I love mine too - doesn't have the handle though! Great idea!

Jim Scott

I made a similar suggestion when this appeared in the For Sale - Accessories area, using snaps and a nylon strap. It helps with a bass sized mute.

viewtopic.php?t=33437

dukesboneman wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 5:52 am Beautiful looking mute, nice adjustable "cork" system, and great clear straight mute sound .
So I took it to the show that night. Oops !! The bulb at the end of the mute was way too big to get a hold of for a quick mute change. By the time I got it out of my horn I had missed my entrance. It was a long night.

One of my biggest complaints about bulbous-end mutes. And I have small hands, which aggravates the problem.

A mute with some sort of handle or grip that allows quick changes sounds like a great idea!

Like dukesboneman I didn't care for ANY straight mute that I had tried. Online I saw this mute. It looked (?) good so I bought it. I LOVE THE SOUND! I've also received many complements on the sound. Just as described they have "a clarity of articulation and projection to the sound, but still with a degree of warmth". Fantastic! Only one downside - I too have small hands and it's a pain to try to quickly remove the mute...usually I can't. I tried to figure out a type of 'system' for quick removal, but haven't liked any of my ideas yet. I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).

Bob wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:36 pm I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).

Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?

Dennis wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:02 am

Bob wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:36 pm I will contact IIan about his handle (which I hope works on his Bass Cup Mute as well!).

Is Ilan selling his bass cup now?

It's still in the tweaking/prototype stage but it's close to being done.

Trying out a potential final production prototype of the bass cup this week.....

Let us know how it is, Harold.

I'm not sure I'm in the market anymore, though. My Jo-Ral cup wasn't working on the pieces my band is taking to NABBA next week. It was too "woofy" and didn't speak clearly on a couple of prominent passages. I have a Wick bass cup I'm using now. Horses for courses, I guess.

Which bottom material is your favorite, and for what types of music? He offers copper, aluminum, and brass as I recall. My current setup gives a very dark tenor sound.

I have an aluminum and a copper bottom model. I prefer the copper

I ordered the copper bottom model for bass and tenor not too long ago. I suggested to Ilan that perhaps a system that allowed interchanging the bottom plate materials would be appealing. There is apparently some subtle design complexity unique to each type, so it isn't as easy as just swapping materials. But, I think it would be awesome to adjust these on the fly for better blend, etc, without significantly increasing the mute bag space required to carry all those options.