Hello
Picked up an elderly Gen Bb recently (25 years + I’m told) very sweet upper octave but lower octave (especially bottom three notes) very ‘buzzy’
Needs a tweak but I’m loathed to mess with an original vintage mouthpiece so I’m looking for a spare (or two) to butcher
Can anyone help ?
Will offer an original Generation booklet (came with whistle similar age) in exchange if interested
or
Would be interested in purchasing a suitable used Mack Hoover for the Gen
Thanks
Palimpsest
Contact Brian Howard the uilleann pipe maker he will help you out.
His A whistles are based on the Gen Bb head design
Have you taken off its head and filled in its under-beak cavity with poster putty? That is an non-invasive, easily reversible tweak which can help with instability and buzziness in the tone.
You can also try various tweaks with thin bits of plastic cut to size, and stuck on with poster putty (try both the outer & inner edge of the ramp, as well as tiny adustments in placement). Again, easily reversible.
Thanks for the suggestions Mad & Squid
Never knew that about Howard whistles, will certainly look into it
The putty did little, but I did improve matters somewhat by sticking bits of credit card on the soundblade with putty. Would like to attempt a more permanent modification with adhesive but as I said before I’m loath to attempt it on this venerable mouthpiece
If I get hold of a couple of spares I can stick, sand and cut with impunity
Mack Hoover can make you a white cap mouthpiece for your Bb. Not the same sound as the original but nice nonetheless.
Isn’t the mouthpiece what gives it 95% of its tone? I suspect that a different mouthpiece on the old tube will make a bigger difference than putting the old mouthpiece on a new tube.
In my experience, and unscientifically, I’d say 66% from the head and 33% from the tube. The other 1% is fairy dust.
First: Thanks to all for help and advice
Second: Special thanks to MadforTrad for his advice regarding Howard Music
Third: (and the most important) My HUGE thanks to the Howard’s for their excellent service, advice and generosity. On Mad’s suggestion I sent an email to Howard, within the day I had a very nice response from Dorothy asking for a phone number so Brian could ring me, I declined this offer (sure Brian has better things to do with his time) and asked if I could purchase a standard Gen Bb mouthpiece and pay via Paypal, Dorothy replied asking for my address so she could send me the mouthpiece F.O.C
Mouthpiece came next day by first class post in a Jiffi Bag and the mouthpiece was in a protective rigid case.
Superb service above and beyond the norm
Finally for anyone in UK please contact the Howard’s for details of a Summer School they are running this year, sounds excellent