2 PIECE TUBA MODELS (rim and cup complete)

Many different rim styles are available for this series (see Rim Section). The most common combinations of rim and cup my be selected here. To choose a rim not listed here, please make a selection from the "Rims" and "Underparts" sections for the model you are interested in.

The Sellmansberger "Solo" series low mass stainless steel tuba mouthpieces were originally designed primarily for use with F and Eb tubas, and for use with 3/4 size CC and BBb tubas. These mouthpiece feature a traditional Waldkraiburg (medium shallow) bowl cup, a narrow rim (either "original" semi-flat or "version II" semi-round), a wide embouchure area, and a unique reverse taper throat (starts oversize and tapers down to a traditional size throat down inside the backbore). The exit area of the backbore of the "version II" is larger than that of the original version, but these may be mixed and matched - as these are screw-rim mouthpieces. As of this time, these mouthpieces feature an "American" shank exterior.

Shortly after the release of these mouthpieces, several leading professionals in major symphony orchestras discovered that - in addition to F tuba applications - they preferred the Sellmansberger "Solo" mouthpieces over all others for use with their very large orchestral CC tubas. A typical comment has been that "core" is added to the sound without taking away from any desirable sonic or playing characteristics. To explain the use of the word "core", it is understood that these orchestral musicians have found the Sellmansberger "Solo" series to assist them in more effectively getting their sound heard with more clarity the mix of the brass section and into the sound of the orchestra as a whole.

Matt Good, Principal Tuba - Dallas Symphony Orchestra, is quoted as having written, "I felt the the identifiable core in my sound was more intense than any other mouthpiece that I have played on my F, and that I needed something of the same for my C. Ever since, I have been playing the F tuba and C with your mouthpiece. I never imagined using the same mouthpiece for both instruments."

Wade Rackley, Principal Tuba - Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, states, "What I have been using for the past few months [with my F tuba] is the Sellmansberger "Solo" (version 1). It gets a better tone and also keeps the thing playable in the upper reaches and way down low. It is NOT a style of mouthpiece that I would have tried out of my own volition. I tried it out because Joe designed the combination of specs and they sounded very well reasoned to me, and my success with it shows me that I had been looking in the wrong direction for mouthpieces for this tuba all along. I have not switched off the Sellmansberger "Solo" since taking it out of the box several months ago. (I have also started using it on my Holton 345, though not all the time. It works really well on my BAT and will probably end up becoming my only mouthpiece on that tuba as well.)

Don Harry, Principal Tuba - Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, is a very enthusiastic convert, stating, "Love the mouthpiece, please send two more. Bravo! I'd say the focus is so intense that it rattles the floor of our hall."

As this mouthpiece is a very recent release, several other high-profile players who have ordered Sellmansberger "Solo" tuba mouthpieces will soon be in receipt of them, and we expect similar positive feedback.

The original version sports exterior engraving of the mythical Atlas holding up the world, and the version II offers exterior engraving representing something valued very highly by many tuba players worldwide: a mug of beer.

Norman Pearson, Principal Tuba with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra said this about the Sellmansberger "Solo" series mouthpieces:

My [Sellmansberger Solo #1 and #2 mouthpieces] arrived yesterday and I spent about two hours messing around with them in the garage. So far I am very impressed with both of them. They seem to work best for me on my f tubas but I wouldn't rule them out for a larger tuba that has clarity issues.

On my B&S Symphonie F the #1 is very responsive and has a similar sonic impact as a C4 or 69 C4 but has more even response. Articulations are fast and clean and the low register, low C in particular, is most excellent. What I really like about this mouthpiece is the sound: my B&S Symphonie is a fairly dark tuba for a small bore instrument, the tuba really lights up with this mouthpiece. I wouldn't necessarily say it's bright, it seems to have a more complete rendering of the overtone pallet in the sound. There is a little frosty beer mug stamped on the side of #2, how could any tuba player resist that!

Highly recommended. Bravo Joe!

- Norm Pearson





Options in solid stainless steel include:

- original version (medium flare back-end of back bore / semi-flat thin rim) - version II (wide flare back-end of back-bore / semi-round thin rim)

Choice of finishes include:

- uncoated stainless steel (no extra charge) - gold tone titanium coating (extra charge) - black tone titanium coating (extra charge)

The Sellmansberger "Solo" tuba mouthpieces are screw-rim mouthpieces, and the original/version II back parts and rims are all interchangable.

Joe Sellmansberger performs regularly with Michael Stern's IRIS Orchestra, the Mississippi Brass, and the New Orleans Jazz Ramblers. He is known worldwide for his technical prowess in the repair and customizing of brass instruments. Joe developed this mouthpiece design in 1976, and has been using it without interruption since that time.