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After reading another post on here about a Geib mouthpiece, I was checking the throat specs of the Sellmansberger Symphony that I have to compare (I have an old Geib and never thought of comparing the throats). I always thought the Orchestra Grand Cup and Symphony were essentially the same and that the feature difference was the shank being more restrictive, less color, etc. and was shocked to find out it mentions the OG has a slight more open top of the mouthpiece.

This actually intrigues me for a "weightier" sound on my big horn compared to the symphony cup. Otherwise, are they basically the same, especially with the bottom part of the mouthpiece? I was considering, if I can get mine unseized, trying the OG cup with a symphony shank. I do not want to go down the mouthpiece rabbit hole, but before I make any potential changes, was wondering if anyone has tried this (cups only) to see a difference.

If you're going to try a new one anyhow...maybe go straight for the OG Ultimate...

russiantuba wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 7:28 am I was considering, if I can get mine unseized, trying the OG cup with a symphony shank.

This was the combination I used with my previous horn (BMB J-865) and it worked really well for that horn. When I bought my current DS, I bought the inverse components to try the different combinations to see what worked better, and I wound up going all Symphony.

It's been a few years, so I can't explain the differences as if I just tried them out, but while the differences are pretty subtle, they're definitely there.

The junction (three piece version) is the same dimension (whereas either of those back bores will bolt up to either of those cups), but the diameter of the throat itself is different.

In the Symphony back bore/throat shank piece (if talking about the ones that come apart into three pieces), the place where the cup turns the corner into the back bore (what appears to be the throat) is really quite large - as with a lot of these other modern era makes' mouthpieces, but then there's a reverse taper (to a smaller diameter) and a venturi down inside the back bore itself.

At different times with various instruments, I've used the cup and back bore combination that you are considering. It's a useful mouthpiece.

bloke wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 9:30 am The junction (three piece version) is the same dimension (whereas either of those back bores will bolt up to either of those cups), but the diameter of the throat itself is different.

In the Symphony back bore/throat shank piece (if talking about the ones that come apart into three pieces), the place where the cup turns the corner into the back bore (what appears to be the throat) is really quite large - as with a lot of these other modern era makes' mouthpieces, but then there's a reverse taper (to a smaller diameter) and a venturi down inside the back bore itself.

At different times with various instruments, I've used the cup and back bore combination that you are considering. It's a useful mouthpiece.

So the only big difference in the cup is the descent into the throat itself? How would you describe the sound of OG with symphony shank versus the stock 3 piece symphony?

russiantuba wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 10:49 am

bloke wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 9:30 am The junction (three piece version) is the same dimension (whereas either of those back bores will bolt up to either of those cups), but the diameter of the throat itself is different.

In the Symphony back bore/throat shank piece (if talking about the ones that come apart into three pieces), the place where the cup turns the corner into the back bore (what appears to be the throat) is really quite large - as with a lot of these other modern era makes' mouthpieces, but then there's a reverse taper (to a smaller diameter) and a venturi down inside the back bore itself.

At different times with various instruments, I've used the cup and back bore combination that you are considering. It's a useful mouthpiece.

So the only big difference in the cup is the descent into the throat itself? How would you describe the sound of OG with symphony shank versus the stock 3 piece symphony?

For me, the OG with a Symphony shank provides a bit more color and maybe resistance for a dark rotary tuba. I use that combination on my Hirsbrunner. I use the OG with an OG backbore on the Holton.

To be honest, I'm not sure to what extent the difference is real or important. I think you'll just have to try it. If it doesn't add anything, sell it--someone will always being buying those parts.

Rick "who'll do a comparison on the Hirsbrunner tonight and report back" Denney

Those two cups are different.
Running the fingertip from bottom to top immediately demonstrates the differences. They are close to the same depth and the bottoms were justified in the three piece version so that the different throats and backbores could be interchangeable.

The brass version of the OG is not justified, and is just like my prototype.

Is the OG a bit bigger or “more bowl” rounded at the bottom? Again, I love my symphony, but something with a bit “taller” depth to it (not wider, not deeper, not more open or throatier), would be enough to warrant a change—à la an Alexander 163 type sound vs a Thor type sound

The stainless OG has a little more burn/focus/clarity forward type sound, while the symphony is a little rounder/prettier.

Using the OG Ultimate on a Rudi 5/4 CC today playing Dvorak 6.

arpthark wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:04 am Using the OG Ultimate on a Rudi 5/4 CC today playing Dvorak 6.

Pictures or it didn't happen!

Pauvog1 wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 12:26 pm The stainless OG has a little more burn/focus/clarity forward type sound, while the symphony is a little rounder/prettier.

That being said, I'm using the OG ultimate lately on my 2155 (with a XD/Profundo style rim). I'd love to use a standard depth symphony/OGU but this horn behaves (pitch wise) better with a little deeper cup for me.

Pauvog1 wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 12:26 pm The stainless OG has a little more burn/focus/clarity forward type sound, while the symphony is a little rounder/prettier.

I thought this was merely due to the shank on the 3 piece. This is probably the opposite direction I want to go if it is the cup too since I am a more aggressive player by nature. Thanks for this!

russiantuba wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 8:13 pm

Pauvog1 wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 12:26 pm The stainless OG has a little more burn/focus/clarity forward type sound, while the symphony is a little rounder/prettier.

I thought this was merely due to the shank on the 3 piece. This is probably the opposite direction I want to go if it is the cup too since I am a more aggressive player by nature. Thanks for this!

I never used an OG shank on my OG cup. I used symphony or larger from Dave. Same effect.

russiantuba wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2026 8:13 pm

Pauvog1 wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 12:26 pm The stainless OG has a little more burn/focus/clarity forward type sound, while the symphony is a little rounder/prettier.

I thought this was merely due to the shank on the 3 piece. This is probably the opposite direction I want to go if it is the cup too since I am a more aggressive player by nature. Thanks for this!

I find the OGU with a Profundo/XD rim to be a better "fit for me". Maybe I should re-visit my OG, OG, lol