This had to be held in the bell with my left hand whilst playing it, but sounds very good. Probably the best practise mute if you don't want electronics like the new Yamaha system. If anything, it enhances the tone and attacks after removal. But blown hard it does buzz a lot, so the volume reduction is not fantastic. WHY did they stick slippery rubber or foam on the joint of this mute.... it's nearly a great product. I heard some Americans re-cork it as soon as they get them with a shaped cork. These mutes were designed by Don Maslett and it's good to see them still made excellently in Germany by Voigt, with the adjustable centre tube. There is a shaped aluminium version still sold under the Wallace brand to try instead which fits, but that affects the tuning a little.
