This item is offered at a lower than normal price after failing the manufacturer's stringent quality inspection, usually as a result of a minor cosmetic fault that does not affect its function. Items sold as 'seconds' will be inspected before dispatch to ensure they remain fully fit for their intended purpose.
Manufacturer’s description:
‘Wick stopping mutes provide a reliable alternative to the traditional hand stopping technique for French horn players. These mutes consistently generate a perfect semitone transposition with a clean attack and a clear tone, making it the ideal solution for those seeking consistent transposition or alternative tone colors.’
French horn players often use a technique known as stopping—inserting their hand fully into the bell to producing a quiet, nasal sound. This raises the pitch by approximately one semitone, so the player must adjust by playing a semitone lower. The same effect can be achieved with a stopping mute, which may be transposing or non-transposing; this mute is the former and requires the player to play a semitone lower, as they would when hand-stopping.
Manufacturer’s website: deniswick.com