Customer Reviews

Harmon L Model Copper Trumpet Wow-Wow Mute

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I evaluated the Jo-Ral Copper Bubble mute along side of the Harmon brand Copper Wah-Wah (or harmon mute). I use the mutes in a jazz quartet as well as a larger 7 piece jazz group; playing everything from jump blues, jazz, soul, r & b, and funk.

What's the same:
Both are heavy copper.
Both have a nice traditional harmon mute 'bite' and edge to the sound. I would categorize the Harmon is 'crisp', while the Jo-Ral is 'dark.'
Both are made very well.

What's the difference:
The Jo-Ral plays with better intonation throughout the range of the horn; the Harmon is much more sharp in the lower range.
The Jo-Ral plays with much less resistance than the Harmon. This is a major design difference in the mutes--the Jo-Ral is rounded, while the Harmon is more angular. Over the longer gigs, this can make a difference. For me, I'd rather have the equipment work 'for' me than not.
The Jo-Ral is bare copper, while the Harmon is clearcoated. Over time, the Jo-Ral will tarnish, while the Harmon holds its lustre. If this is important to you, get a can of Testors Clear Coat and spray it with 1 or 2 light coats to preserve the finish. If you use a heavy layers, it will affect the sound.

Summary: Both mutes are made well and have a nice sound. I rate the Jo-Ral higher for better intonation, and less resistance while preserving an authentic feel.
If you want a brighter sound #along with less resistance, and good intonation#, go for the aluminum version of the Jo-Ral.

Vince
Hepcat Revival, Trumpet

This Harmon copper mute took a little getting used to since I am used to the Harmon aluminum which is lighter and thinner than this new one . This Harmon mute is a little larger in overall size and heavier. I like that this mute is more in tune in the low register,something the lighter aluminum mute is stuffy and distorted on some low trumpet notes as the low A or G. A nice new addition to the fine line of mutes from the Harmon company.

The mute sounds amazing. You're gonna get a great sound out of it. Take the stem out and the tone changes again. A great thing to use for soloing. I love it.

This mute is not cheap. It has great weight and a great look and sound and it came really quickly.

Harmon L Model Copper Trumpet Wow-Wow Mute

I've had one of these copper mutes for about 20 years, and love its traditional WA-WA (wow-wow) sound, but I no longer use it. The problem with this Harmon and the aluminum version is that, once the mute's cork ages, the mute falls out of the bell on its own far too often. After the first drop, I kept my left hand on the mute while playing, but that's a pain. I use a Bach Stradivarius, but based on how many times other players Harmon's fall out, this is a common issue. Cleaning the cork with alcohol helps. Also, if you say a throaty "haaa" into the bell just before inserting the Harmon, the resulting moisture improves cork-to-horn grip.

About 5 years ago, I started using a Humes & Berg Cleartone Trumpet Mute when a tune called for a Harmon. Within 6 months, several other trumpet players in our bands switched to the Cleartones. The Cleartone is a perfectly acceptable substitute for a wa-wa, although it doesn't sound quite the same. You can do a "wa-wa" with a Cleartone (i.e., flapping your hand over the end to modify the sound), it stays in the bell, and it plays louder than a Harmon , which is a real plus in a 16-piece swing band. Do a Google Shopping search on "cleartone trumpet mute" for suppliers. As of this writing, Amazon doesn't carry the trumpet version.

Harmon mutes are more flexible than the Cleartone, and no other mute duplicates its distinctive sound. The stem can be set at different lengths or removed altogether, to create many sound variations. On the negative side, this Harmon cuts off too much of the volume when you're in a big band, and (except when new), in my experience, they fall out on their own more than all other types of mutes put together. If you really need the Harmon sound, this one is better than the tinny-sounding aluminum Harmon. If you get one, keep your left hand on the mute when playing, just in case it falls out.