Dillon besson 983 mouthpieces

[Wilco]

Looking for the 983 designed models.

[iiipopes]

I know you are wanting Dillon proprietary models, but the two "standard" mouthpieces that give the best intonation, response, evenness of tone, etc., for Besson Eb tubas are the Wick 3L and, of all mouthpieces, the Bach 24AW.

[Wilco]

Hi, my experience with the Wick 3L was not that positive. It probably works on the top action models, to me not on the front action. I found it sluggish in response and tubby sounding.

[Kingconn]

My best results have been a Yamaha 68 or 69c4 for quintet and Bach 22 for bigger ensembles. Hope it helps. Mike

[Wilco]

Yes, all input is really appreciated! For now I am settling with my Doug Elliott with a Miraphone shank (between AM and Euro). The Wick is just to muddy for me… it is a very forgiving mouthpiece, but it will cost you in clarity. And I find clarity is my priority above all.

[Yahnay-san]

Dillon had Pat Sheridan mouthpiece models long ago when the 983 was new. Inspired by his playing I tried and loved the PS3 on my Boosey Eb (still couldn’t play like him, darn it!). Look around for a used one.

[IROB]

As a 35 year plus Besson EEb Compensating player I can give you some strong recommendations:


The Wick and Alliance 3s never were to my liking.

For many years I did us a 24AW - rim can somewhat limit flexibility but great for long playing sessions

Also Used a Schilke 67 great for ensemble work

The Yamaha Jim Self is very solid EEb mouthpiece used this fro a decade before starting to make my own.

The new Yamaha NEO 67D4 is pretty good as well. A little small for my tastes but good.

The Vintage Tucci 66 is a great EEB mouthpiece and you would get that in S shank for the 983. I should have 2 or 3 of those left.

I currently use my own EEb models (Full disclosure I own CHI Brass)

The CHI Brass IR 1 was designed specifically for EEb and on the 983 you would want our American shank. This is a standard weight mouthpiece and I use it most of the time on my Besson, Boosey and Nirschl EEbs. I have a few left in American shank right now.

Maestro James Gourlay has been using our EEb Bass model just release a few months ago and this is the IR 1 except in Heavyweight with a slightly smaller shank than American shank that works very well on Besson EEbs. If you follow Triple C Tuba on socials he has also been using the CHI EEb Bass model a lot lately. Both of them sound amazing on it.

And just 2 weeks ago we got the first batch of our James Gourlay Signature EEb mouthpieces. This is a fantastic soloistic EEb mouthpiece. Aslo a heavyweight.

Additionally some love the CHI Floyd Cooley 3 on EEb and our JR Helleberg is also popular on EEb.

Hopefully this is helpful/interesting!

[Wilco]

Hi, yes thanks!! I found a slightly larger shank than American (.520 at end of shank is AM) works better on the 983. The PS3 shank is supposedly that way…

Good to know there are other options!! And there is a dealer in Portugal I believe for the European market?

[IROB]

Actually the CHI A shank is .525 rather than the very small .520 like Yamaha and Bach make. The EEb Bass Model is .522 and the Gourlay is actually smaller at .518.

So if you like a bit larger than .525 the IR 1 A shank or the EEb Bass would fit the bill.

Not sure what our European Dealer situation is. The one that had placed a very large order now that the order is ready they are not paying the bill after a few weeks of requests so I may be looking for a new dealer now.

Shipping one or two mouthpieces to the EU is not too bad cost wise since we changed our online store to Shop a month ago.

[tubaing]

This is what i use with my 983 and BB-345: Laskey 32H US

At the army tuba workshop, I tried out a bunch of mouthpieces and really liked these two but didnt buy:

Greg Black NY Legend 18 (really clear, lots of presence, great response)

Parker Benjamin 2A (warmer/rounder sound).