Boston Brass Tuba Mouthpiece

Sam Pilafian Signature Boston Brass Tuba Mouthpiece – The Legendary Foundation
Inner Rim Diameter: 1.295" | Medium-Deep Cup | Adjustable Weight Sleeve

Sam Pilafian was one of the true foundations of professional tuba playing in the world — a legend in every sense. As co-founder of the groundbreaking Empire Brass Quintet and later a cornerstone of the Boston Brass. Sam redefined what the tuba could be: lyrical, powerful, expressive, and absolutely essential in chamber music, orchestral settings, and beyond. His warm, singing tone, impeccable control, and musical intelligence inspired generations of players. This mouthpiece is our heartfelt tribute to his legacy — and to the countless musicians he mentored and moved. Designed for Sam Pilafian, the mouthpiece features a medium-large inner rim diameter of 1.295" paired with a medium-deep cup that delivers the versatility Sam demanded. It works beautifully across a wide range of tubas — F, CC, BBb, and more — offering rich resonance, effortless response, and a centered, singing core tone that projects with clarity and warmth in any acoustic. The real innovation — and the part that made Sam light up — is the adjustable weight sleeve system. Introduced by master craftsman Matt Summers and enthusiastically adopted by the entire Boston Brass Quintet, this feature lets you dial in your sound on the fly. Add or remove weight to change the density, response, and tonal character:

• Lighter sleeve → brighter, more focused sound for live halls or dry acoustics
• Heavier sleeve → warmer, darker, more expansive tone for dead rooms or intimate settings

Sam called it a game-changer — no more stressing over unpredictable venues, no more fighting the hall, no more swapping mouthpieces mid-tour. With three weight options, you adapt in minutes during soundcheck, turning one-nighters into confident performances.

Sam Pilafian’s Own Words:
"Excuse me while I freak out! …(60's term for great excitement!)… I can't believe that this mouthpiece has finally been made!! A mouthpiece that is very even in response and articulation throughout dynamics and registers… a mouthpiece with a system to let you Dial In halls during soundchecks! No more fear of tuba clarity in large church acoustics!
No more aversion to dead recording studios or dead halls! I now have three ways to change my sound without changing my mouthpiece! My whole career has been One Nighters with one rehearsal to figure out a hall… This Mouthpiece has solved this for me in minutes by using the weight sleeve system!" — Sam Pilafian

This is more than a mouthpiece — it's a piece of tuba history brought back to life. Sam Pilafian’s sound, his innovation, and his joy live on in every note you play with it. Versatile, powerful, adaptable, and built to last — just like the legend himself. Now is your chance to experience the legendary Sam Pilafian tuba mouthpiece. Play it. Feel it. Honor it. The foundation. The legend. Yours to command.