Posted by Mark Heter on February 19, 2004 at 20:55:02:
In Reply to: King 26 Mouthpiece posted by Ralph on February 19, 2004 at 11:38:46:
The King 26 "came in the box" with King BBb and CC tubas for many years. Bell played on one. It the basis of Don Butterfield's mouthpiece. I still play on it, and it's the same rim I had Frank Zottola make for my tuba mouthpiece. Terry Warburton can make you a reasonable facsimile of the King 26 - even if King won't - he made a great one for me! The only difference we used a "normal" shank - the King uses an odd "Morse" taper #.
Once warmed up, you can play on that rim ALL DAY - it was pefect for the marathon work I used do on the circuses and dance bands - "continous scale" dance sets that lasted 55 minutes with five minute breaks. The King 26 saved my butt.
If you can find the photo of the NY Phil Brass Quintet, with Bell with his King CC - there's the King 26 in all its glory.
Lew Waldeck played one on his Donatelli Conn with the City Ballet for years.
Not for everybody, but a better all round mouthpiece than the Conn 22 they still make.
who can figure?
MH