DW5518 Straight Mute for Tuba

This Denis Wick tuba mute is a favourite amongst professional tuba–players for its wide dynamic range and excellent intonation. Why do tuba-players need a mute? It is essential for performances of works such as the Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, Strauss’ Don Quixote, Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and many other important works from the orchestral repertoire. It is also widely used nowadays to create interesting tuba sounds in every kind of musical genre.

The DW5518 is designed for 4/4 size tubas, but will work in larger instruments if the extra corks (supplied free with each mute) are used, and is made from high-quality aluminium spun by hand. It will play a really good fortissimo, making it ideal for use in large orchestras and bands. The latest version comes with a neoprene bumper strip at the top of the mute, to prevent any noise when putting the mute in the instrument, and it also has ‘resting’ corks so that the mute does not roll around when laid on the floor. The base is indented, which gives extra stability to the sound, especially in the high register. The DW5518 is equipped with a leather handle, which makes it very easy to take in and out of the instrument with the minimum of fuss.

This mute has a bright, hard-anodised finish and is an essential accessory for the serious tuba player.