Posted by Rob P-M on August 22, 2001 at 13:07:18:
In Reply to: big, cheap mouthpiece posted by James Rees on August 21, 2001 at 17:42:06:
I don't know about relative size, since I don't use PT mouthpieces, but MOST sousaphones are best played with a small Helleberg, such as the Conn (or UMI, King, Benge, etc copies) Helleberg 7B, the Conn 2 (different exterior, big, cushion rim -- original equipment on all Conn sousaphones from the mid-30's through the 80's at least) or the Schilke Helleberg II. The King sousaphones came with a King 26 (no longer made) in the old days, now a copy of the Bach 24AW - which is a smallish Helleberg with a big, cushion rim.
If you want a really big mouthpiece, or you're playing one of those really big bore Holton's, try a Conn Chief (or the Dillon copies - ouch expensive) if you can find one.