Morningstar Cup and Straight Mute Review

[Burgerbob]

I'm really digging my Morningstars, made by Ilan Morgenstern. Here's a video about 'em:



https://www.morningstarmutes.com/

[mrdeacon]

I’ve been considering picking up a set! I thought they’d be lighter since they are plastic.

[dukesboneman]

Great review.
I have 2 of the tenor straight mutes and really like them.
I was playing a show about a year and a half ago when I ran across the Morningstar website.
I was intrigued and bought the aluminum bottom model. great sound BUT.......
The show had some very quick mute changes and the Morningstar had a larger "Head" or "Blub"
on it and I could not get it out of the horn fast enough.
I talked with IIan and we came up with a solution A Handle
as you can see https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
problem solved !!! I had the 2nd one made with the copper bottom

[Finetales]

Great review.
I have 2 of the tenor straight mutes and really like them.
I was playing a show about a year and a half ago when I ran across the Morningstar website.
I was intrigued and bought the aluminum bottom model. great sound BUT.......
The show had some very quick mute changes and the Morningstar had a larger "Head" or "Blub"
on it and I could not get it out of the horn fast enough.
I talked with IIan and we came up with a solution A Handle
as you can see https://www.morningstarmutes.com/trombone-mutes
problem solved !!! I had the 2nd one made with the copper bottom

I have a bass Morningstar straight with the handle and it is fantastic! Makes mute changes really quick and easy. I wish the cup mute was somehow able to have a similar handle, as I have more trouble getting mine out quickly than my other bass cups.

[harrisonreed]

The Tom Crown wins hands down for the straight mutes. If you're going to use a mute, it should change the sound. And it does that. The wood mute and the Morningstar do not really change the sound that much at all, just the volume.

[Burgerbob]

The Tom Crown wins hands down for the straight mutes. If you're going to use a mute, it should change the sound. And it does that. The wood mute and the Morningstar do not really change the sound that much at all, just the volume.

They do change the sound, but the reflected sound from the gap is going straight into the camera- the recording here isn't perfect. I make do with what I have!

[dukesboneman]

I also struggled with Intonation and slotting with the Humes & Berg Bass Cup Mute.
and it`s heavy and cumbersome
I recently bought from a forum member 2 Wallace Bass Mutes
LOVE `EM
Great sound and The cup has a handle which makes removal easier.
I had never heard of them before but I`m sold

[ghmerrill]

I've been using a Morningstar bass cup mute for several months. I debated with myself about getting the aluminum bottom or the fiber bottom and decided on the fiber. I'd previously been using the DW aluminum bass cup mute. I like the sound of the fiber bottom and it tends to fit better with the tenors when they're typically using something like an H&B.

My Morningstar (again, with the fiber bottom) is 1.5 oz heavier than the DW aluminum mute -- which is hard to notice in practice. It looks "bulkier", but I find it easier to handle because the diameter and contour of the bottom is easier to grab (and I don't have big hands). It doesn't seem to care about what range you're playing in -- from above the staff to double valve and peddle ranges. It just works. The movable corks are a major benefit.

As Aiden mentions, the Morningstar is easier to take apart (e.g., for transport) and put together than the Wick. Also, it's virtually indestructable -- and if you drop it, it makes a kind of innocuous "thud" instead of a "clank!". And it doesn't dent.

I'm very happy with it -- even though bass cup mutes are not exactly my favorite mutes to handle in fast changes.

[Chazzer69]

Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?

[mrdeacon]

I've been using a Morningstar bass cup mute for several months. I debated with myself about getting the aluminum bottom or the fiber bottom and decided on the fiber. I'd previously been using the DW aluminum bass cup mute. I like the sound of the fiber bottom and it tends to fit better with the tenors when they're typically using something like an H&B.

My Morningstar (again, with the fiber bottom) is 1.5 oz heavier than the DW aluminum mute -- which is hard to notice in practice. It looks "bulkier", but I find it easier to handle because the diameter and contour of the bottom is easier to grab (and I don't have big hands). It doesn't seem to care about what range you're playing in -- from above the staff to double valve and peddle ranges. It just works. The movable corks are a major benefit.

As Aiden mentions, the Morningstar is easier to take apart (e.g., for transport) and put together than the Wick. Also, it's virtually indestructable -- and if you drop it, it makes a kind of innocuous "thud" instead of a "clank!". And it doesn't dent.

I'm very happy with it -- even though bass cup mutes are not exactly my favorite mutes to handle in fast changes.

What exactly is the fiber bottom? There’s no photos on the website of the fiber bottom. Is it fiber like the HB mute?

I’ve been thinking of purchasing a fiber bottom cup mute for the same reason.

[Johnstad]

Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?

I haven't noticed a difference between having the handle and not. I do have both for my bass trombone.

The handle is quote nice on the contra straight mute. Yes, He makes one and yes I used it recently. It's fantastic!

[Chazzer69]

Has anyone done a comparison between the straights with and without the handle? Any significant differences noted?

I haven't noticed a difference between having the handle and not. I do have both for my bass trombone.

The handle is quote nice on the contra straight mute. Yes, He makes one and yes I used it recently. It's fantastic!

Thanks!

[ghmerrill]

What exactly is the fiber bottom? There’s no photos on the website of the fiber bottom. Is it fiber like the HB mute?

Yes, it's fiber like the HB mute -- though referred to as the "LW Fiber Bottom" (light weight). If you want more details, you should just email Ilan. He's been very quick to respond.