The heyday of the Humes & Berg Clear-Tone trombone mute (and its close relative the vintage Shastock Solotone) was during the big band era, though it has re-emerged recently in musicals like Chicago. Its mellow solo qualities can be heard to lasting effect in Tommy Dorsey’s Song of India (1937) and Music Maestro Please (1938).
Humes and Berg mutes are among the most widely used and recognisable on the market with their distinctive red and white finish. The company began manufacturing in Chicago in the 1930s at the height of the big band era with the encouragement of the greatest bandleaders of the time. Their trademark 'stonelined' construction is based on fibreboard coated with paint and resin.
Also available in the Humes & Berg trombone mute range:
Mute | Instrument | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Tenor | Bass | |||
Straight | Standard | 151 | Regular | 170 |
Large-bore | 198 | |||
Symphonic | 126 | Regular | 175 | |
Copper-bottomed | 175C | |||
Cup | 152 | 171 | ||
199 | ||||
Clear-Tone | 153 | |||
Wah-Wah (ET/Harmon) | 159 | 189 | ||
Velvetone (Bucket) | 8-inch bell | 160A | 9-inch bell | 172A |
8½-inch bell | 160B | 9½-inch bell | 172B | |
10-inch bell | 172D | |||
Trixie (Plunger) | 164 | |||
Practice | 167 |
Manufacturer’s website: humesandberg.com