Reviews
I regularly use my mutes in the Sequoia Symphony and the Fresno Philharmonic. Below are some thoughts from others who have been using them.
Alex Iles, Los Angeles Trombonist and Recording Artist
I just received mine in the mail this week...wow! My eyes don't believe my ears! With a little experimenting with the numerous thicknesses of felt and cork, I have dialed in a warm bucket sound from such a tiny package! Congratulations on coming with such a beautiful and convenient product!!
Matt Bilyk, New York Trombonist and Clinician
These are great mutes. Just ordered my second one to configure for Bass Bone. Very easy blowing, super light weight and intonation is great. The ability to customize is also a huge bonus. Highly recommend!
Jens Lindemann, International Trumpet Artist
The S-Mute is one of the finest mutes I have ever played. The intonation is impeccable and the ability to make micro adjustments to create numerous different colours is a reflection of the fantastic thought and workmanship that has gone into its development. Quite simply, this is a mute that should not only be owned, it will be used for ones entire career.
Dr. Isrea Butler, Count Basie Orchestra Trombonist and Director, UNLV School of Music
“I think this mute is great! Super compact and useful in many different situations, can sound like a cup, pixie, or bucket. Lots of color that you can add by changing the insets and bottoms."
Dr. Brad Edwards, Professor of Trombone, Arizona State University
Raymond James Mason- Multi Instrumentalist and Recording Artist
I'm experimenting with dampening my horn sound while using a pedalboard for live and studio. Other methods involve extra mics and mix tweaks, but this small mute is quick and easy. The S-Mute keeps intonation steady, so pitch-based effects stay in tune, even though the original sound being processed is much quieter than the open horn. The original use is solid too. Bucket mute with better intonation and resistance than old one. Makes muted practice way more fun! I like how the different felts, end caps, and cork adjustments work for the horns in my collection.
Dr. Brad Snyder- Instructor of Low Brass, South Dakota State University
Wow! This mute is absolutely incredible. I used it last evening during a big band concert with Michael Feinstein and I was simply amazed at how well the mute blends with traditional bucket mutes. It was such a sigh of relief to be able to get the bucket mute sound without having to deal with the labor-intensive nature of a traditional bucket mute. I will recommend this mute to anyone who is in search of a new bucket mute.
Terry Baber, Freelance Trombonist-
As a professional commercial trombonist for over 40 years, I have often wondered if anybody could create a more practical bucket mute. After seeing Brad Edwards recommendation on this mute I decided to pick one up. I am blown away by how easy this is to play. I pulled my original bucket mute, soft mute and played them one by one along with the Salt Shaker mute. I felt the Salt Shaker mute gave me the same warmth as the original bucket. I also love the ease of getting it in and out of the horn. When you purchase one, and you will want to, try it with both end caps along with the different cork sizes which are provided with the bundle. Always take time to practice with your mutes to achieve the sound you want. Nathan has provided this capability with the caps and corks. This is a mute that everybody should have in their mute arsenal.
Jacob Herring, Freelance Trombonist-
I’ve been working as a house band musician on cruise ships for close to a decade, and this is the perfect mute to travel. It’s built well, light, and is versatile for all musical settings I play in.
Jason Trimble Los Angeles Area Bass Trombonist
I’ve been playing bass trombone since I was 8 years old and this mute is the best I’ve bought since my first bucket in 1999. Going from a giant JoRal bucket that I had to pull material out of because it muffled my sound too much to zero weight and a sound that was louder and blended perfectly with the section. It’s definitely durable, tested with a 1 bar rest “open” and dropped it off the stage. Also if you do drop it it’s quiet! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped my big JoRal and it sounded like a bomb went off. I played with the felt disks and it’s nice having options to play with a sound you like and not having to stick to what the mute comes with. I might have to buy another to get it in blue since it was out of stock when I bought the copper one and keep it in the bell of my other bass to warm up with.
Linda Landis, Freelance Jazz and Classical Trombonist and Teacher
I got it yesterday and it fits my bell just fine. It has a great sound too! I have a ‘53 MV Bach 6 with a 7” bell and this fits it perfectly. The ones that clip on or hang off the bell are just too big. I either have to find vintage Mutes that were used back in the days when this horn was used or a mute like this. And it’s easy to put in a mute bag. And changeable corks. What a great idea.
Erik Konertz, Multi Genre/Jazz Trombonist
This mute is such a cool thing! The flexibility of having it sound more like a cup or more like a bucket depending on the configuration you use is incredibly nice-to-have with such a light and compact mute. And the best thing is that it feels and sounds much more open, so you don't loose much volume and therefore can use it even in a non-mic-situation. All of my students and colleagues who heard it or tried it themselves really enjoyed it! Keep the good work up, S-Mute!
Dr. Michael Wilkinson- Associate Professor of Trombone, University of South Carolina
Sam Wamhoff, 2nd Trombone San Francisco Opera
This mute sounds as good or better than any conventional bucket on the market, that combined with its compact size ensures I’ll never have another bucket mute in my mute bag. Bravo!
Josh Rzepka has done a VERY thorough review of the Gen 2 Dedicated Cup and Multifunction Mute:
Ron Franklin, 2nd Trumpet Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra
I love playing this mute and use it often! It has a wonderful tone color, is free blowing and most importantly, plays in tune in all ranges and dynamic levels. I highly recommend it for all orchestral trumpet players!
Eric C, Music Educator Clovis, CA
Wow. This new S-Mute is amazing. Love the sound. Ease of blow. Tuning is spot on.
Mark
This mute instantly corrected some of the tuning issues I was having with my other cups, and playing the mute has a similar feel to playing open, which makes it easier to hear myself and produce a good tone. Great mute!
See here for many other reviews in my thread on Trumpet Herald: