I’ve been considering picking up a set! I thought they’d be lighter since they are plastic.
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 1:52 am
by dukesboneman
Great review.
I have 2 of the tenor straight mutes and really like them.
I was playing a show about a year and a half ago when I ran across the Morningstar website.
I was intrigued and bought the aluminum bottom model. great sound BUT.......
The show had some very quick mute changes and the Morningstar had a larger "Head" or "Blub"
on it and I could not get it out of the horn fast enough.
I talked with IIan and we came up with a solution A Handle
as you can see https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
problem solved !!! I had the 2nd one made with the copper bottom
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 9:07 am
by Finetales
dukesboneman wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 1:52 am
Great review.
I have 2 of the tenor straight mutes and really like them.
I was playing a show about a year and a half ago when I ran across the Morningstar website.
I was intrigued and bought the aluminum bottom model. great sound BUT.......
The show had some very quick mute changes and the Morningstar had a larger "Head" or "Blub"
on it and I could not get it out of the horn fast enough.
I talked with IIan and we came up with a solution A Handle
as you can see https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
problem solved !!! I had the 2nd one made with the copper bottom
I have a bass Morningstar straight with the handle and it is fantastic! Makes mute changes really quick and easy. I wish the cup mute was somehow able to have a similar handle, as I have more trouble getting mine out quickly than my other bass cups.
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:01 am
by harrisonreed
The Tom Crown wins hands down for the straight mutes. If you're going to use a mute, it should change the sound. And it does that. The wood mute and the Morningstar do not really change the sound that much at all, just the volume.
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:19 am
by Burgerbob
harrisonreed wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:01 am
The Tom Crown wins hands down for the straight mutes. If you're going to use a mute, it should change the sound. And it does that. The wood mute and the Morningstar do not really change the sound that much at all, just the volume.
They do change the sound, but the reflected sound from the gap is going straight into the camera- the recording here isn't perfect. I make do with what I have!
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 11:09 am
by dukesboneman
I also struggled with Intonation and slotting with the Humes & Berg Bass Cup Mute.
and it`s heavy and cumbersome
I recently bought from a forum member 2 Wallace Bass Mutes
LOVE `EM
Great sound and The cup has a handle which makes removal easier.
I had never heard of them before but I`m sold
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 11:11 am
by ghmerrill
I've been using a Morningstar bass cup mute for several months. I debated with myself about getting the aluminum bottom or the fiber bottom and decided on the fiber. I'd previously been using the DW aluminum bass cup mute. I like the sound of the fiber bottom and it tends to fit better with the tenors when they're typically using something like an H&B.
My Morningstar (again, with the fiber bottom) is 1.5 oz heavier than the DW aluminum mute -- which is hard to notice in practice. It looks "bulkier", but I find it easier to handle because the diameter and contour of the bottom is easier to grab (and I don't have big hands). It doesn't seem to care about what range you're playing in -- from above the staff to double valve and peddle ranges. It just works. The movable corks are a major benefit.
As Aiden mentions, the Morningstar is easier to take apart (e.g., for transport) and put together than the Wick. Also, it's virtually indestructable -- and if you drop it, it makes a kind of innocuous "thud" instead of a "clank!". And it doesn't dent.
I'm very happy with it -- even though bass cup mutes are not exactly my favorite mutes to handle in fast changes.
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:15 am
by Chazzer69
Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:37 pm
by mrdeacon
ghmerrill wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 11:11 am
I've been using a Morningstar bass cup mute for several months. I debated with myself about getting the aluminum bottom or the fiber bottom and decided on the fiber. I'd previously been using the DW aluminum bass cup mute. I like the sound of the fiber bottom and it tends to fit better with the tenors when they're typically using something like an H&B.
My Morningstar (again, with the fiber bottom) is 1.5 oz heavier than the DW aluminum mute -- which is hard to notice in practice. It looks "bulkier", but I find it easier to handle because the diameter and contour of the bottom is easier to grab (and I don't have big hands). It doesn't seem to care about what range you're playing in -- from above the staff to double valve and peddle ranges. It just works. The movable corks are a major benefit.
As Aiden mentions, the Morningstar is easier to take apart (e.g., for transport) and put together than the Wick. Also, it's virtually indestructable -- and if you drop it, it makes a kind of innocuous "thud" instead of a "clank!". And it doesn't dent.
I'm very happy with it -- even though bass cup mutes are not exactly my favorite mutes to handle in fast changes.
What exactly is the fiber bottom? There’s no photos on the website of the fiber bottom. Is it fiber like the HB mute?
I’ve been thinking of purchasing a fiber bottom cup mute for the same reason.
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2025 10:45 pm
by Johnstad
Chazzer69 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:15 am
Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?
I haven't noticed a difference between having the handle and not. I do have both for my bass trombone.
The handle is quote nice on the contra straight mute. Yes, He makes one and yes I used it recently. It's fantastic!
Chazzer69 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 02, 2025 9:15 am
Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?
I haven't noticed a difference between having the handle and not. I do have both for my bass trombone.
The handle is quote nice on the contra straight mute. Yes, He makes one and yes I used it recently. It's fantastic!
Thanks!
Re: Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 5:30 am
by ghmerrill
mrdeacon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:37 pm
What exactly is the fiber bottom? There’s no photos on the website of the fiber bottom. Is it fiber like the HB mute?
Yes, it's fiber like the HB mute -- though referred to as the "LW Fiber Bottom" (light weight). If you want more details, you should just email Ilan. He's been very quick to respond.