What materials are Tom Crown mutes made from and how do they affect the sound?

Tom Crown mutes are available in aluminium, copper and brass. Aluminium produces the classic bright, metallic sound — ideal for orchestral and big-band work. Copper gives a warmer, rounder tone — better for small group and solo work. Brass falls between the two — the traditional orchestral character, combining brightness with warmth.

What is the difference between a straight mute and a cup mute?

A straight mute is a hollow cone inserted into the bell, producing a metallic, piercing sound — the most common mute in orchestral playing. A cup mute adds an open cup to the end of the cone; the cup absorbs upper frequencies and produces a more muffled, darker tone typical of jazz and solo performance.

What makes Tom Crown practice mutes different?

Tom Crown practice mutes are exceptionally free-blowing with very accurate intonation — qualities most practice mutes lack. They reduce volume to a level that won't disturb others while maintaining a natural playing feel. This makes them the preferred choice for daily practice without compromising technique.

Tom Crown is an American manufacturer of mutes for brass instruments. Made in USA. Mutes for trumpet, trombone and French horn: Straight, Cup, Harmon (Wah-Wah), Practice, Bucket. Aluminum, copper, fiber. The standard for professional orchestral and jazz musicians. SoundsGood is the authorized Tom Crown dealer in Ukraine.

Is SoundsGood an authorized Tom Crown dealer?

Yes, SoundsGood is the authorized Tom Crown dealer in Ukraine. Original products, quality guarantee, professional consultation.

Tom Crown

Q: Who is Tom Crown and how did the company start?

Tom Crown is an American professional trumpeter who played for more than 40 years, many of them with the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. In 1968, inspired by a mute used by Adolph Herseth on the piccolo trumpet, Tom made his own version. Since 2019 the entire manufacturing process takes place at the company's own modern factory in Chicago. The company is now led by William Camp.

Q: What is a wah-wah (Harmon) mute?

A wah-wah mute — also known as a Harmon or ET (extending tube) mute — uses a cork collar to completely seal the gap between mute and bell, directing all sound through the body of the mute and an adjustable stem. This produces the iconic jazz trumpet sound associated with Miles Davis. Tom Crown offers aluminium (classic wah-wah) and copper (warmer wah-wah) versions.

Q: Which instruments does Tom Crown make mutes for?

Tom Crown covers the full range of brass instruments: trumpet (Bb, C, piccolo), tenor trombone, bass trombone, and French horn. For each instrument, multiple types are available: straight, cup, wah-wah/Harmon, practice, and stop mutes.

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Tom Crown — Official Dealer in Ukraine, SoundsGood

Tom Crown (Chicago, USA; founded 1968) is the world's most respected manufacturer of brass instrument mutes. Founder Tom Crown was a professional trumpeter for more than 40 years — many of them with the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. He made his first mute in 1968, inspired by one used by Adolph Herseth on the piccolo trumpet. Since then, Tom Crown mutes have been adopted by orchestras around the globe. Since 2019, the complete manufacturing process takes place at the company's own modern factory in Chicago. Mutes for trumpet, trombone and French horn. Materials: aluminium, copper, brass.

SoundsGood is the Official Dealer of Tom Crown in Ukraine! Genuine American mutes with manufacturer warranty and nationwide delivery.

🏅Official Dealer
Tom Crown in Ukraine

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🎺Made in Chicago
USA since 1968

🎺 About Tom Crown: Chicago, since 1968

Tom Crown dedicated his career to the trumpet — more than 40 years of professional playing, a significant portion with the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. Inspired by a mute that Adolph Herseth used on the piccolo trumpet, Tom made his own version in 1968. Its instant success among professional trumpeters prompted him to develop a full range of mutes for all brass instruments.

🏭 Own Factory in Chicago

Tom Crown mutes are made by a small, dedicated team in Chicago. Since 2019, the complete manufacturing cycle — from raw material to finished product — takes place at the company's own modern facility. The company is now led by William Camp. Every mute is the product of decades of experience and meticulous attention to detail.

🌍 Adopted by Orchestras Worldwide

The Tom Crown series for orchestral brass was quickly adopted by ensembles around the globe. The distinctive bell-shaped contour forms a perfect acoustical match with the trumpet and trombone bell. Consistency in tone quality, dynamic range, intonation and open feel — exactly what orchestral brass players require.

🎵 Mutes for Brass — One Focus

Tom Crown is a company with a single purpose: Mutes for Brass Instruments Since 1968. This specialisation is a strength: every aspect of production serves one goal — the finest possible mute for every brass instrument. No unnecessary product lines, no compromises.

🎺 Tom Crown Straight Mutes for Trumpet

The straight mute is the most widely used mute in the symphony orchestra, wind ensemble and jazz band. Tom Crown offers several variants for different applications.

🥇 Classic Straight Mute (30TA)

The classic aluminium straight mute. The bell-shaped contour provides a perfect acoustical match with the trumpet bell. Bright, piercing metallic sound. The standard for orchestral performance. Cork feet for secure seating. Consistent tone across the full dynamic range.

🥈 Straight Mute — Brass End (30TB)

The same aluminium straight mute with a brass end cap. The brass addition provides a warmer overtone spectrum compared to the all-aluminium version. Popular in orchestral settings where a less cutting, more «classical» timbre is preferred. Combines the lightness of aluminium with the warmth of a brass end.

🎷 Gemini — All-Brass Straight

The Gemini Trumpet Straight Mute is made entirely from brass. The warmest, most sonorous tone in the Tom Crown straight mute range. For soloists and chamber ensembles where natural warmth is desired even under a mute.

🎺 Piccolo Trumpet (TC4)

TC4 — a straight mute designed specifically for the piccolo trumpet. This is precisely the type of mute that inspired Tom Crown in 1968 (the mute used by Adolph Herseth). Precisely fitted to the smaller bell of the piccolo trumpet. Ideal tonal balance for Baroque repertoire and solo performance.

🎵 Tom Crown Cup Mutes for Trumpet

A cup mute adds an open cup to the end of the straight mute cone, absorbing the upper frequency register and producing a rounder, more velvety tone.

🔔 Trumpet Cup Mute (A-TCCup)

Adjustable trumpet cup mute with a copper cup. Copper delivers the warmest and richest tone of all metals. The adjustable cup allows the player to control the degree of damping — from a slightly muted quality to a deep, matt sound. For jazz, ballads and theatrical performance.

🎶 Trumpet Cup Mute — Standard

The standard trumpet cup mute. Classic dark, muffled tone characteristic of 1940s–1960s jazz. Clear frequency separation — removes excessive brightness while maintaining presence in the ensemble. For big band, orchestra and solo jazz performance.

🎷 Tom Crown Wah-Wah / Harmon Mutes

The wah-wah mute — also known as the Harmon or ET (extending tube) mute — is the defining jazz trumpet sound, made iconic by Miles Davis. A cork collar seals the bell completely; all sound passes through the body of the mute and the adjustable stem.

🥇 Wah-Wah Aluminium (30TWW)

The aluminium wah-wah mute delivers the classic Harmon sound. Bright, cutting, with a sharp attack. The ideal choice for big band and pit work, where the Harmon character needs to project across a large auditorium. The adjustable stem varies the tone from «open Harmon» to a full wah effect.

🥈 Wah-Wah Copper (30TWWC)

The copper wah-wah mute delivers a warmer, softer Harmon sound. Better suited to small group settings, jazz clubs and studio recording. Copper softens the edge and adds a characteristic «vintage» warmth. The choice of players who want the Harmon effect without excessive brightness.

🎺 Trombone Wah-Wah (30TTWW)

The wah-wah / Harmon mute for tenor trombone. The original Harmon sound for trombone — the characteristic trombone «Harmon bridge» in jazz settings. Cork collar and adjustable stem. A full palette of tonal colours from closed wah to open Harmon.

🔇 Tom Crown Practice Mutes

The Tom Crown practice mute stands apart from competitors by maintaining exceptionally free-blowing response and accurate intonation while reducing the volume dramatically.

✅ Outstanding Among Practice Mutes

Most practice mutes alter the resistance and compromise intonation to a degree that negatively affects the player's technique. Tom Crown solved this problem: their practice mutes are very free-blowing and deliver excellent intonation. The result is daily practice with no compromise for neighbours — and no damage to technique.

🏠 Who They Are For

For trumpeters, trombonists and all brass players who need to practise at home or in an apartment. For students. For hotel-room rehearsals on tour. Volume is reduced enough not to disturb others, while the positive feeling of playing and the quality of practice are fully preserved.

🎺 Tom Crown Straight Mutes for Tenor Trombone

Tom Crown is the choice of orchestral trombone players worldwide. The distinctive cone shape forms a perfect acoustical match with the trombone bell.

🥇 Tenor Trombone Straight — Brass

Straight mute for tenor trombone in brass. Classic orchestral trombone sound under a mute — cutting but retaining the warmth of the instrument. Wide dynamic range. Even intonation throughout. The standard of symphony orchestras worldwide.

🥈 Model A — Copper Bottom (30TAA)

Model A with a copper bottom — the classic straight mute for trombone. The copper base adds a warmer character to the overall bright tone of the straight mute. Widely used in symphony and chamber orchestras. One of the most popular Tom Crown trombone mute options worldwide.

🎵 Tom Crown Cup Mutes for Trombone

🔔 Tenor Trombone Cup Mute (TTCUP)

An adjustable aluminium cup that creates a more expressive sonic character — from gentle damping to a deep, matt tone. Unique tonal flexibility: by adjusting the cup position, the trombonist can find the ideal timbral balance for any repertoire or style. For jazz, theatre and orchestral cup-mute passages.

🎷 Tom Crown Wah-Wah Mutes for Trombone

🌟 Tenor Trombone Wah-Wah (30TTWW)

The original Harmon wah-wah mute for tenor trombone. The characteristic trombone «Harmon bridge» in jazz and big-band arrangements. Cork collar and adjustable stem with small cup. A complete palette of tonal colours from closed wah to open Harmon sound.

🎺 Tom Crown Bass Trombone Mutes

🥇 Bass Trombone Straight Mute

Straight mute for bass trombone. The special cone shape is designed for the large bell of the bass trombone. Preserves the power and richness of the low register under a mute. For orchestral scores calling for a characteristic «closed» sound in the low brass voice.

🥈 Bass Trombone Straight Mute — Copper Bottom

The copper-bottom variant for a warmer tone. Copper softens the upper register and adds density to the sound. For performances where particular warmth is required even in the closed sound of the bass trombone — solo passages, quintet arrangements, jazz orchestration.

🎷 Bass Trombone Wah-Wah (BTWW)

Wah-wah / Harmon mute for bass trombone. A unique Harmon effect in the low register. For unusual timbral solutions in contemporary music, theatrical productions and jazz big bands. Cork collar and adjustable stem.

🎻 Tom Crown Stop Mute for French Horn

🏆 French Horn Brass Stop Mute

A brass stop mute designed specifically for the French horn — the only brass instrument for which a dedicated stop mute is required. Allows the player to reproduce the hand-stopping effect in a consistent and repeatable manner. Even intonation, stable tone. For orchestral scores with written «stopped» notes and for daily practice of closed-hand technique.

🔬 Tom Crown Mute Materials: Aluminium, Copper, Brass

🥈 Aluminium

The classic material for straight and wah-wah mutes. Delivers a bright, piercing metallic sound with a clear, defined attack. Lightweight — easy to handle and quick to insert or remove. Ideal for orchestra, big band and theatrical pit work, where the characteristic «muted brass» sound needs maximum projection.

🟤 Copper

Copper produces a warmer, rounder sound with a richer overtone spectrum. For wah-wah mutes — a warm jazz Harmon tone ideal for small group performance and studio recording. For cup mutes — the warmest, most velvety damping available. The choice of soloists and chamber musicians.

🌕 Brass

Brass combines the brightness of aluminium with the warmth of copper. The traditional material for orchestral mutes — a «classic» muted brass sound. Slightly heavier than aluminium but providing a more balanced tone. The primary material for French horn stop mutes and trombone mutes.

📊 Tom Crown Mute Comparison

Model	Type	Instrument	Material	Sound Character
30TA	Straight	Trumpet	Aluminium	Bright, metallic, orchestral
30TB	Straight (brass end)	Trumpet	Alum. + brass end	Bright with warm overtones
Gemini	Straight all-brass	Trumpet	Brass	Warm, rich, sonorous
TC4	Straight	Piccolo Trumpet	Aluminium	Baroque, transparent
A-TCCup	Cup (adjustable)	Trumpet	Copper cup	Matt, dark, jazzy
30TWW	Wah-Wah / Harmon	Trumpet	Aluminium	Classic Harmon, big band
30TWWC	Wah-Wah / Harmon	Trumpet	Copper	Warm Harmon, intimate
30TAA / Model A	Straight	Tenor Trombone	Alum. + copper bottom	Classic orchestral
TTCUP	Cup (adjustable)	Tenor Trombone	Aluminium	Soft, expressive
30TTWW	Wah-Wah / Harmon	Tenor Trombone	Aluminium	Harmon jazz for trombone
BTWW	Wah-Wah / Harmon	Bass Trombone	Aluminium	Harmon low register
FH Stop	Stop mute	French Horn	Brass	Closed/stopped effect

🎯 How to Choose Your Tom Crown Mute

🎼 Symphony Orchestra (Trumpet)

30TA (aluminium) or 30TB (aluminium + brass end) for straight mute duties. For softer historical periods — Gemini (all-brass). Cup mute A-TCCup — for «con sordino» markings in slow, lyrical movements.

🎷 Jazz and Big Band (Trumpet)

30TWW (aluminium) — classic Harmon sound for large venues. 30TWWC (copper) — warmer Harmon for club gigs and recording. Cup mute — for ballads and soft solo choruses.

🎺 Piccolo Trumpet

TC4 — the only correct choice. Designed specifically for the smaller bell of the piccolo trumpet. The very mute that inspired Tom Crown in 1968.

🏠 Daily Practice

Tom Crown practice mute — free-blowing with excellent intonation. The best practice mute on the market for daily technique work without disturbing others.

🎺 Trombone — Orchestra

Model A (30TAA) with copper bottom — the symphony orchestra standard. For cup-mute passages — TTCUP with its adjustable aluminium cup.

🎷 Trombone — Jazz

30TTWW (wah-wah / Harmon for trombone) — the original Harmon effect in the low register for swing and bebop arrangements.

🎺 Bass Trombone

Straight mute with copper bottom — for a warmer tone in the deep register. BTWW — if a Harmon effect in the bass trombone is called for in contemporary or theatrical music.

🎻 French Horn

French Horn Brass Stop Mute — reproduces the «stopped» effect with even intonation. An essential accessory for every orchestral horn player.

❓ FAQ

Who is Tom Crown and how did the company start?

Tom Crown was a professional American trumpeter for over 40 years, including many with the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. In 1968 he made his first mute, inspired by one used by Adolph Herseth. Since 2019 the manufacturing is fully in-house in Chicago; the company is now led by William Camp.

How does material affect mute tone?

Aluminium — bright metallic sound, ideal for orchestra and big band. Copper — warmer, rounder tone, better for small group and studio work. Brass — between the two, the traditional orchestral character.

What is the difference between a straight and a cup mute?

Straight: conical shape, bright metallic sound, the primary orchestral mute. Cup: adds a cup that absorbs upper frequencies, producing a dark, muffled tone typical of jazz and solo work.

What is a wah-wah / Harmon mute?

A Harmon (ET) mute uses a cork collar to seal the bell completely; sound travels through the mute body and an adjustable stem — creating the iconic Miles Davis jazz trumpet sound. Tom Crown offers aluminium (bright) and copper (warm) versions.

What makes Tom Crown practice mutes better?

Tom Crown practice mutes are exceptionally free-blowing with excellent intonation — qualities most competitors lack. Daily practice without compromising technique or disturbing neighbours.

Which instruments does Tom Crown make mutes for?

Tom Crown covers the full brass range: trumpet (Bb, C, piccolo), tenor trombone, bass trombone, French horn. Multiple types per instrument: straight, cup, wah-wah, practice, stop mutes.