Soulo SM7525 Adjustable Trumpet Cup Mute - 7 x 4.75 x 4.75 inches

UPDATE: When I first got the mute (as described below), I left the below review, and it was accurate. Since then, the manufacturer has switched the gasket they use (i.e., the foam ring at the end of the mute where it enters your horn's bell) to a different material, which they sent to me to test out. The new gasket material is MUCH better than the old one. I used this mute with the new gasket many times during multiple gigs over the past few months, and it shows no signs of wear or deterioration. It stays in place and works great. Therefore, if you have one of their mutes with the older gasket, my review below applies; but I highly suggest you get one with the newer gasket (if you have an old one, maybe ask them for a new gasket). For the mute with the newer gasket, I give it 5 stars and highly recommend the mute.===PREVIOUS REVIEW:When I first got this mute, I put it in my horn the way I put all mutes in my horn ... insert firmly with a slight twist to make sure it stays put. After a few months, the foam was almost completely ripped and worn out. I wrote the manufacturer ... he told me that because of the way the foam grips the bell (as opposed to the cork found on most mutes), I didn't need to jam the mute in and twist it like other mutes, but to simply push firmly. So I did exactly ... and started counting the times (and embarrassments) when the mute fell out of my horn. Luckily, he gave me 2 replacement foam pieces, and over time, I've almost worn through the second one. So it's your choice ... just push it in like they recommend, and it will fall out. Or push and twist firmly (like other mutes); it will stay in, but the foam will wear out quickly. I gave it 3 stars because the sound is great (when it stays in), but otherwise ... not working well for me. BTW, I'm using an Adams A9 and the bell is a bit more flared than the Getzen Eterna I played before, so maybe it just isn't designed for those kinds of bells.

I have a number of mutes for my trumpets including the Denis Wick adjustable cup mute. None of them had quite the sound I wanted for a new piece and I decided to try this Soulo adjustable cup mute. I was pleasantly surprised.In a month of practicing and performing with it, this is what I noticed:1) It is much lighter than the Denis Wick mute which made it easier to grab and insert. It was also easier to hold the trumpet up while it was in. In fact, as I think about it, it is probably the lightest mute I have which might make it good for a younger player.2) The cup was easier to slide than the Denis Wick. Both have a felt cloth surface for the slide but the Wick mute surface grabs the metal surface more firmly making it harder to change the tone. This one slides so easily I could change the sound while playing. It was that easy to move.3) The tone is much softer than the Wick due (I assume) to the fiber composition of the Soulo. None of my other mutes (cup, Crown straight, Harmon, Bach straight, Wick sliding) had quite this sound which was light and almost airy. It was perfect for my need in this piece. With the cup off, the Soulo is a passable straight mute although it lacked the brightness and cutting power of a metal straight mute. With this cup almost touching the bell, the tone reminds me of a bucket mute.4) The sound through the register was a bit more even than the Wick. With the Wick, I notice that some notes were more present than others. While the Soulo had a little bit of this, it was nowhere near as pronounced.I can't think of a negative about the Soulo based on my experience with it over the past month. It is fiber and so I imagine that banging around in my mute bag over time, it will be less robust than the others. But I don't know that for a fact.

I have had all kind of mutes and frankly, I would not play with them unless I just had to. They made the trumpet I had sound horrible (rather tinny). But this one is totally different. There is NOTHING not to like about this mute. At present, I am playing it with a cornet and the sound is so unbelievably wonderful. The cornet is mellow to begin with but when you put this mute in the end of that cornet, it make it simply unbelievable as to the quality of the sound. Recently I put my playing on Facebook with the mute in the end of my Bach Mercedes II cornet and I got more complements and likes than I had ever gotten at any time on my playing. My wife, who doesn't hand out compliments like candy said it was the best I had ever played. So if you want a great mute, look no further. This is the one you want! Also I can't remember exactly when I purchased this mute from Amazon, it was a while back. I got it because my wife wanted me to so it was "stored back" but when I actually played with it, I have declared that I won't be playing without it going forward, no need to. It is adjustable so I can make it as loud and as soft as necessary for whatever audience I am playing for.

Wow, the cork part must have been glued on with Elmer's, because it fell off the first time I used it and then got stuck inside the trumpet. I want my $$ and my 45 minutes back!!Update: This company really cares about their product. Shortly after the initial review was posted, they reached out and sent a replacement with better glue. So far so good! The mute itself is great so updated from a 1 to a 5 star review.

I decided to get the Soulo SM7525 Adjustable Trumpet Mute after playing the Dennis Wick Adjustable Trumpet Mute for a year. Like the brand name, the SM7525 produces a warmer more soulful sound. The Dennis Wick mute gives a slightly brighter metallic sound. However when using either as a practice mute in needed quiet conditions, I prefer the Dennis Wick mute. It has a slight ring of sound-insulating rubber that the SM7525 does not have when pushed flush against the bell of the horn. It is the most lightweight cup mute I have ever played. With my eyes closed, I can not tell if the mute is in or out. The Soulo SM 7525 adjustable mute is my preferred cup mute in most playing situations. However it will not replace the Dennis Wick when I need to practice quietly.