Help needed

[K_Aufderhar]

Good evening all,

As some of you know, I have been rehearsing Lincolnshire Posy with my college wind ensemble. Unfortunately, being "authentic" to Grainger's wishes by using an actual baritone has led to an issue. I have been finding during rehearsal that blending with other instruments is nearly impossible because the horn is playing flat as a board. I believe it is due to the amount that the mouthpiece sticks out of the receiver. Does anybody have any advice for me? Does either the mouthpiece or receiver need to be modified?

Thanks.

[davewerden]

If that photo shows your 4BS, then you need to have the received worked on. The 4BS should fit with roughly the same extension as your 4AL would show on a euphonium.

You should first see if the received can be opened properly. If that still doesn't get the pitch comfy, then I would try a Wick 6 instead of the 4.

[daruby]

Dave...I just sent EXACTLY the same two recommendations via Facebook Messenger before I read your post! <grin>

[davewerden]

Dave...I just sent EXACTLY the same two recommendations via Facebook Messenger before I read your post! <grin>

Great minds think alike!! Also, it is nice to have your confirmation, because I'm quite sure I have way less baritone experience than you.

[bbocaner]

The mouthpiece stem should go in around one inch. If the mouthpiece isn't wobbling, I'd be inclined to think that the receiver is OK and that it was designed to be that size. This isn't unheard of on older instruments. Bring the mouthpiece to someone with a lathe and have them turn it down to fit the receiver. That, or borrow a different baritone.

[bbocaner]

I agree with the 6bs recommendation, by the way. 4bs is pretty extreme for baritone. A mouthpiece with smaller cup volume will tend to bring pitch up. But it might not be enough if it's not going the proper amount into the receiver.

[Mederlock]

Just one the mouthpiece chat, I just bought the Steven Mead version of the 6 size baritone mouthpiece, the SM6B, and it's marvelous in my baritone. I'm sure the 6BS would be great too, but I can only speak to what I have. It's got a great balance of a wide range of tone colour, from a bright horn-like quality that blends with brighter alto voices, to a richer melodious tone that blends well with Euphs and other basses, and not to mention a lot of ease in the higher range due to the smaller cup. It's been perfect for 1st Baritone in a brass band, but I'm sure it'd be great for Lincolnshire Posy too. It sure is a tough piece

[ghmerrill]

Have you thoroughly and repeatedly cleaned the receiver with a brush and something like 409? I mention this because it took be about 4 such cleaning to get all the built-up crud out of my Buescher 1924 tuba receiver -- at which point mouthpieces were seating about 3/4" further into it.

[davewerden]

Have you thoroughly and repeatedly cleaned the receiver with a brush and something like 409? I mention this because it took be about 4 such cleaning to get all the built-up crud out of my Buescher 1924 tuba receiver -- at which point mouthpieces were seating about 3/4" further into it.

Wow!!

[K_Aufderhar]

Here is a picture of the horn with a 6BS in the receiver. Same problem. Also, my local repair tech said that he would be unable to modify the receiver in anyway, so I suppose boring the receiver out is not an option. Also, the receiver is completely clean inside. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Can I get the shank of the mouthpiece shaved down? I also wonder if Doug Elliott could make a custom mouthpiece with a shank that would fit this horn.

Thanks for the input so far!

[davewerden]

Can I get the shank of the mouthpiece shaved down?

Yes, probably. It depends on the thickness of the metal at the end of the shank. The very end can get pretty thin and still work, but of course you would not want to drop it because it is more easily dented. If you have a good shop near you, this would be the simplest and cheapest option.

I also wonder if Doug Elliott could make a custom mouthpiece with a shank that would fit this horn.

Maybe. Just for fun, find a trumpet (not cornet) mouthpiece and try it in there. I suspect it will fit very well. This looks like my old tenor horn, which was in baritone-range Bb but had a trumpet-size receiver. So if it is a standard trumpet size, Doug would have to have a trumpet-size shank and he mostly deals in low brass. So you should contact him and ask that question. If he has the right blank, then see if he can put a cup on it like a 6BS.

[daruby]

Kyle, at this point I would shave down the shank. Your technician should be able to do that.

[K_Aufderhar]

I emailed Doug Elliott concerning my problem. He does have an "alto S" shank in his lineup which he describes as having a "slightly smaller taper than standard tenor to go in farther." I wonder if this would indeed be the answer.

[ghmerrill]

... my local repair tech said that he would be unable to modify the receiver in anyway ...

I'm just curious about this. It appears to be a rather standard receiver (though perhaps a peculiar size). What is prohibiting simply unsoldering the receiver and soldering on one of a more useful size?

[MichaelSchott]

I'm just curious about this. It appears to be a rather standard receiver (though perhaps a peculiar size). What is prohibiting simply unsoldering the receiver and soldering on one of a more useful size?

Agree with this. I'm not sure why his technician doesn't want to tackle this job.