Daniel Perantoni and Robert Tucci began a cooperative effort in mouthpiece design and manufacturing in 1970. At that time the selection available was limited to a few standard models or something passed down by a teacher or colleague. Typical tuba mouthpiece cup diameters centered around 11/4 inches (31.5 Mm.), medium-size cups predominated.Usable F-tuba mouthpieces were all but non existent. The PERANTUCCI PT-30 and PT-31, introduced in 1971, reflect the design philosophies of the time. The rims are slightly rounded on the outer edge while sharper on the inner. The cups are funnel-shaped and designed to produce a healthy well centered sound. The throat bores give good control over the air stream and are large enough to provide substantial volume.
Models PT-32 and PT-36 followed shortly thereafter. Model PT-32 is a larger version of Model PT-30 (32.5 Mm.) and has proven itself as a good all-round mouthpiece for CC and BBb tubas.Model PT-36 is still larger (33 Mm.) and departs in several respects from conventional design. The rim is narrow with a sharp inner edge. The cup is designed to allow the air stream to move into the instrument quickly giving very fast response and scintillating sound. Various aspects of the design were adjusted and balanced to provide remarkable flexibility, excellent high range and projection. The PERANTUCCI PT-36 broke new ground in mouthpiece design and quickly became a popular contrabass tuba mouthpiece.
Considerable research and experimentation was necessary before the first PERANTUCCI F-tuba mouthpieces were introduced in 1973. The PERANTUCCI PT-60 and PERANTUCCI PT-62 were the first mouthpieces to combine an acceptable cup diameter with cup, throat and backbore arranged for fast response, good intonation and easy high range. They provide a brilliant and live sound, capable of great projection. The desire to offer the same good qualities combined with a darker, broader sound was satisfied by the PERANTUCCI PT-64. The PERANTUCCI PT-64 was an instant success and quickly established itself as one of the world’s most popular F-tuba mouthpiece. The PT-65, introduced in 1998, further developes these preferred charactistics while reflecting new trends in F-tubas and tonal qualities. The new breed of dynamic young tuba players dictated the need for even larger mouthpieces. The PERANTUCCI PT-50 (33 Mm. cup with a 8.3 Mm. throat bore) and PT-88 (33.5 Mm. with a 8.1 Mm. throat bore) were designed after considerable research by Mr. Perantoni. Both offer large and deep cups topped off by narrow rims with sharp inner edges. The challenge of such dimensions is indeed great but it was possible to develop mouthpieces with excellent response and acceptable high register performance. Not only were power players given the tools they needed, many medium and medium-large tubas were given a new lease on life with these models. Models PT-50 and PT-88, the most popular large PERANTUCCI contrabass tuba mouthpieces, are now available in a heavy shell design. These incorporate modified cup and bore specifications as well as additional weight for unprecedented stability and projection of the sound. Over the years various extensions and additions to basic models took place. The PERANTUCCI PT-66 is a stretched version of the PERANTUCCI PT-64. Models PT-80 and PT-83 offer particularly comfortable rims. The PT-80 works well on contrabass tubas but is also an excellent F or Eb-tuba mouthpiece when a broad and weighty sound is desired.
Model PT-84 is medium-size mouthpiece with ideal sound characteristics. The response and flexibility are very good, the sound has beautiful resonance and character and the rim is comfortable. This versatile and successful standard mouthpiece is recommended for Eb, CC-and BBb-tubas.
Model PT-72 uses the same rim as the PT-84 but with the cup and backbore adjusted for F-tuba. Please note the increased cup (32.5 Mm.) and throat (8.1 Mm.) diameters. This gives the F-tuba unprecedented power and weight of sound, particularly in the low register.
Model PT-83 is a highly-refined classic funnel design with all the characteristics preferred in this style. The sound can be modulated in any direction to provide a full spectrum of colors, the projection is excellent without being strident, and the response is even and smooth with additional support and emphasis in the low range. The PT-83, a highly desirable mouthpiece for medium-large and large BBb and CC-tubas, is available in regular and heavy shell versions.
1990 saw two major changes to the PERANTUCCI tuba mouthpiece line. A new numbering system based on progressive cup volume and separation into general cup-style categories went into effect, and a new outside shape was introduced. This shape has rims that have the weight necessary for strong tonal stability, and cup wall thickness carefully adjusted to the volume of the respective cups.
Since 2000 various new models have been developed:
Model PT-20: an F-Tuba solo, ensemble and orchestra mouthpiece with a deep cup. An excellent mouthpiece for F-tubas, particularly when a dark orchestral sound is desired.Model PT-61: an Eb and F-Tuba solo mouthpiece optimized for velocity, high range, endurance, tonal beauty and the demandsof modern literature.Model PT-65: a new F-tuba solo and ensemble mouthpiece, provides strong center and great accuracy in all registers. The center is clear and dominating yet dark in character. The response, the accuracy, the flexibility and the tonal nature of this new model accomodate modern large bore instruments.
Model PT-24: offers a moderately deep cup well rounded at bottom combined with a wide cushion rim. This is an excellent general purpose mouthpiece for F, Eb, CC and BBb tubas featuring a comfortable rim and a large throat bore for depth of tone and volume.
PERANTUCCI Plus Models: The PT-24+, the PT-50+, the PT-83+ and the PT-88+ feature a new outside shape which incorporates modified cup and bore specifications as well as additional weight for unprecedented stability and projection of the sound.
The PERANTUCCI tuba mouthpiece design concept does not stop at the end of the shank. These mouthpieces are carefully engineered to give every tubist "The Right Response" with any good instrument. Mr. Perantoni, Mr. Tucci and our manufacturing staff have spared no effort to provide modern and progressive Euphonium and tuba players suitable tools with which their musical objectives can be readily attained. We thank you for your many ideas and suggestions and for the time and effort taken to evaluate these products.The world-wide success of these models is yours as much as it may be ours.