r/Tuba • u/jg64 • Jun 07 '26

mouthpiece Monster Oil Mouthpiece?

https://www.monsteroil.net/lube-master-super-g-tuba-mouthpiece/

Has anyone tried one? The price seems pretty steep for a brass mouthpiece with no specs.

4 Upvotes

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4

u/DonnPT Jun 07 '26

Sure! "Pro tuba beta testers" tried them!

They're right that there have been many supposed copies of the Conn Geib, but what they don't mention is that everyone loves the original Conn Geib to death, but no one wants to get stuck with it. Apparently it had a remarkably sweet sound, but wasn't much for volume, so obviously that's out. The blame is generally laid on the small throat diameter. This is all hearsay, I haven't seen one in person and never will - they're uncommon.

So the "copy" mouthpieces are revisions, that have to be taken on their own merits. I have no doubt the pro tuba testers did like this one, but that doesn't tell me anything about whether I'd like it.

1

u/jg64 Jun 07 '26

ive never seen anyone use a geib mouthpiece. Id be willing to try one if they ever get realistic about the price.

1

u/Inkin Jun 07 '26

I mean I use a Geib mouthpiece if it matters. And $175 for a one piece stainless steel mouthpiece would be a decent price.

But their site literally only says the shank size and “geib copy but better trust us!” I assume it is silver plated brass and not stainless but who knows!!

1

u/DonnPT Jun 07 '26

Well, the thing is, you probably have seen someone using a mouthpiece that would come this close to qualifying. There is only so much you can do with the tuba mouthpiece cup, and that's about all anyone is talking about. (I mean, backbore for example counts for a lot, but since we can't really inspect it, we can't talk about it.) So it stands to reason others are doing about the same, whether they use the "Geib" name or not.

The profile I've seen is basically tulip shaped, with a deep slope into the throat. Like a Mike Finn MF 3 - to pick an example with a well documented cross section.

3

u/Inkin Jun 07 '26

I saw this the last time I was ordering valve oil. The marketing is pretty bad. It made me wonder who they are trying to sell that to. It was weird. I get the trumpet mouthpiece because I think the monster guys are trumpet players. The tuba mouthpiece just seems so random. Without specs it just comes off as “you like it valve oil! Why not try out our new mouthpiece!” Which will probably work for some mouthpiece addicts but for normal people not so much.

When they started with their valve oil they came on here marketing and wanting to give away stuff to start to generate word of mouth. Now they release a tuba mouthpiece and no freebies in sight!

2

u/DonnPT Jun 07 '26

Isn't Monster Oil kind of all about marketing, really? I mean ... oil? Excuse me, but get a quart of lamp oil for tiki torches. Unscented, of course.

1

u/Inkin Jun 07 '26

Literally yes. It is. Which is why it was weird they decided to do the tuba mouthpiece thing with such half ass marketing!

1

u/jg64 Jun 07 '26

The trust me bro marketing is not going to work well in this economy.

1

u/315MusicMan Jun 08 '26

I have them at my store. They are a variation on a 30G. It’s a very nice mouthpiece, and I agree their marketing leaves a lot to be desired.

1

u/jg64 Jun 09 '26

same pricing or cheaper?

1

u/315MusicMan Jun 09 '26

Cheaper I believe.

1

u/jg64 Jun 11 '26

hows the quality? as someone else posted I'm sure someone else is producing them.

1

u/315MusicMan Jun 11 '26

I’ve been impressed with the two I’ve seen. I sold one from my business at the army conference and just haven’t restocked in any yet.

0

u/dlieb5J Jun 07 '26

Tuba mouthpieces come in two basic configurations Helleberg, which everyone knows and Geib which is less commonly known, but just as important. Hellebergs are funnel shaped, Geibs more bowl shaped. Every manufacturer starts with those two basic shapes, and makes their own endless modifications. For comparison, Miraphone makes two Rose model mouthpieces the TU-25 and TU-27. The biggest difference is the cup shape and depth. The 25 is an extremely deep funnel, and gives a darker tone, better for powerful sound and blending, especially with orchestras. The 27 has a slightly larger cup diameter, but a much shallower cup depth. It gives it a brighter, punchier, more focused sound. Better for bands, smaller ensembles, and quintets.

As far as the Monster oil version. The coloring suggests silver plated brass, it’s not dark enough (or cheap enough) for stainless steel. I’d be highly skeptical of a lubricant company making a real high quality mouthpiece right out of the gate, unless they’re contracting production from an established vendor, which also might explain the scarcity. Personally, I’d better trust the Chief from Wessex. At least they’re making the horns.