Hirschman Mutes
Where Quality and Innovation Meet
In tune, unique and built to last
In tune, unique and built to last
If you need a great straight or cup mute, there are many, many choices available from small upstarts to large, well-known companies that have been in the music business for decades and sell mutes by the tens of thousands every year. It's a mature, crowded market where great options are widely available. We're different. Hirschman Mutes focuses on creating the very best mutes that other companies have never made, stopped making or don't make very well. Our first product was the Gen I Chicago Stinger buzz/kazoo mute for trumpet and have expanded our product line to plunger mutes for trombone.
The "KR Indigo" MAX Plunger Mute is the culmination of a decades-long quest for the best sounding, BY FAR most in tune, easiest to play, most comfortable to hold, most expressive trumpet plunger that money can buy. "KR" represents the initials of Kenny Rampton, world-renowned trumpet player and long-standing member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. Kenny co-designed this plunger with Hirschman Mutes, incorporating feedback from some of today's top trumpet players. We are proud to include amongst our official endorsers both the Duke Ellington and Count Basie Orchestra trumpet sections.
From low to high, the most in-tune plunger ever. It also provides consistent pitch when switching between open and closed (tight) plunger, something essential for ensemble passages. Better intonation means less "lipping" of notes, reducing fatigue and increasing endurance.
Some players like to drill a hole through their plungers (where the wooden stick was) and some don't. Others carry two plungers in their bag to have both. The Kenny Penny venting system provides one penny outside the plunger and another inside. Turning the outer penny closes the plunger hole with the inner penny. Kenny Rampton likes it closed for playing over straight mute and open for plunger alone. There's no right or wrong, and the Kenny Penny lets you discover your ideal sound...that's our "two cents."
Our large, comfortable hand grip makes the plunger easy to pick up and hold. No more slips or drops!
The KR Indigo is made of durable silicon and is much less prone to the drying out/cracking that occurs with many rubber hardware store plungers.
An in tune plunger deserves to be played over an in tune straight mute. Use your favorite regular sized straight mute and say goodbye forever to stuffy, out of tune pixie mutes.
With the Kenny Penny in the open position, you can create interesting effects by covering/uncovering the tone hole with a finger.
Inspired by Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo and Snooky Young's/Clark Terry's blue plungers, with a design updated for the 21st century.
Our Chicago Stinger Gen II mute provides buzz/fuzz to your plunger solos
The "KR Indigo" (Standard) Plunger Mute was created as the result of feedback gained during the testing phase of our MAX plunger. Some players loved the sound and intonation of our MAX plunger, but were looking for a more traditionally-sized plunger.
From low to high, this plunger has better intonation that any other plunger on the market (except our own MAX model!). It also provides consistently good pitch when switching between open and closed (tight) plunger, something essential for ensemble passages. Better intonation means less "lipping" of notes, reducing fatigue and increasing endurance.
Some players like to drill a hole through their plungers (where the wooden stick was) and some don't. Others carry two plungers in their bag to have both. The Kenny Penny venting system provides one penny outside the plunger and another inside. Turning the outer penny closes the plunger hole with the inner penny. Kenny Rampton likes it closed for playing over straight mute and open for plunger alone. There's no right or wrong, and the Kenny Penny lets you discover your ideal sound...that's our "two cents."
This mute is smaller than the KR Indigo MAX and is a great choice for trumpeters that like a more traditionally-sized plunger, younger players and those with a shorter reach/smaller hands.
Our large, comfortable hand grip makes the plunger easy to pick up and hold. No more slips or drops!
The KR Indigo is made of durable silicon and is much less prone to the drying out/cracking that occurs with many rubber hardware store plungers.
An in tune plunger deserves to be played over an in tune straight mute. The standard model fits over many regular sized straight mutes so you can say goodbye forever to stuffy, out of tune pixie mutes.
With the Kenny Penny in the open position, you can create interesting effects by covering/uncovering the tone hole with a finger.
Inspired by Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo and Snooky Young's/Clark Terry's blue plungers, with a design updated for the 21st century.
Co-designed with Kenny Rampton of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the world's best buzz mute just got better. The Hirschman Mutes "Chicago Stinger Gen II" is inspired by the buzz mutes of yesteryear, and has been redesigned from scratch with 100% custom components, engineering, and technology to provide the best intonation, slotting, playability, and BUZZ across the entire range of the trumpet at any price.
Superior sound, intonation and playability from pianissimo to fortissimo and from the bottom of the horn to the top. Our proprietary Hornet Resonators™ provide the ultimate in buzz/fuzz and durability.
Attenuates and channels the unmuted trumpet sound through two angled passageways, enabling more buzz while minimizing back pressure
Structural element inside the mute improves intonation and playability
Protect the resonators from damage in your bag/case while transmitting maximum buzz in your sound
Provide superior sonic and physical integrity
Playable alone or under our KR Indigo or KR Indigo MAX Plungers, sold separately
The Hirschman Mutes HA100-PP PlungerPlate is the most convenient and secure way to keep any plunger, large or small, within easy reach for owners of the Hercules HA100 Clamp-on Four Mute Holder.
Fits snugly in the biggest (74mm) ring and provides a large, flat, stable resting place for your plunger, eliminating the need to place it upside down in a holder or on the ground. Your plunger is always nearby for quick mute changes.
Textured surface provides grip to ensure your plunger stays put, even if your stand isn't perfectly level.
The large center hole stores a trumpet pixie mute below your plunger.
6 smaller holes store trumpet mouthpieces, which is much better than keeping them on the music stand or in your pocket.
Useful for gigs that don't require a plunger. You can rest your phone, extra music, and concert programs on it without interfering with or getting lost behind the music on your stand.
The Hirschman Mutes BMM100-PP PlungerPlate is the most convenient and secure way to keep any plunger, large or small, within easy reach for owners of the Broadway Mute Mate Gen7 Trumpet Mute Holder by Asper Trumpet Products.
Fits snugly in the biggest (4.5 inch) ring and provides a large, flat, stable resting place for your plunger, eliminating the need to place it upside down in a holder or on the ground. Your plunger is always nearby for quick mute changes.
Textured surface provides grip to ensure your plunger stays put, even if your stand isn't perfectly level.
The large center hole stores a trumpet pixie mute below your plunger.
Useful for gigs that don't require a plunger. You can rest your phone, extra music, and concert programs on it without interfering with or getting lost behind the music on your stand.
The Hirschman Mutes HA100-AC Accessory Cup is the most convenient and secure way to keep items within easy reach for owners of the Hercules HA100 Clamp-on Four Mute Holder. The Accessory Cup fits snugly within either of the two medium (63mm) rings, keeping pencils and valve oil within sight and reach, not lost on the floor or hidden behind music on the stand.
Cup inner dimensions (58mm wide x 77.5mm deep) (2.25 in. wide by 3 in. deep)
Remove and recycle.
The Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo "BIG BLUE" Plunger Mute has been optimized to give the very best combination of sound, size, feel, pitch and flex money can buy. We are proud to include amongst our official endorsers the Duke Ellington trombone section.
Better intonation that any other plunger in your mute bag, especially when switching between open and closed plunger. If only the great Al Grey was still with us! He said that old school, 20th century "tight plunger...causes a back-pressure against your air stream and it throws your instrument out of tune.....Some players find adjustments in their lip and air pressure to play through it; others simply learn to slip past it." We have reduced these problems with our innovative design.
The BIG BLUE is designed to work with both the tenor trombone AND bass trombone. Bass trombonists Dave Taylor and Earl McIntyre are two early testers and endorsing artists that gave invaluable feedback during the design process.
Some players like to drill a hole through their plungers (where the wooden stick was) and some don't. Others carry two plungers in their bag to have both. The Kenny Penny venting system provides one penny outside the plunger and another inside. Turning the outer penny closes the plunger hole with the inner penny. Kenny Rampton likes it closed for playing over straight mute and open for plunger alone. There's no right or wrong, and the Kenny Penny lets you discover your ideal sound...that's our "two cents."
Our large, comfortable hand grip makes the plunger easy to pick up and hold. No more slips or drops!
The KR Indigo is made of durable silicon and is much less prone to the drying out/cracking that occurs with many rubber hardware store plungers.
Inspired by Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo and Snooky Young's/Clark Terry's blue plungers, with a design updated for the 21st century.
The Hirschman "Chicago Stinger" is inspired by the buzz mutes of yesteryear, but plays more in tune and blows more freely than these older mutes, which are no longer sold or manufactured. The Chicago Stinger adds a distinctive buzz to your tone which can be effective for modern as well as old-time jazz solos. The Gen II has been updated with a number of improvements such as our Vortex Corking System™, custom resonators, flush design, and Thunderbolt Caplets™.
Superior sound, intonation and playability from pianissimo to fortissimo and from the bottom of the horn to the top. Our proprietary Hornet Resonators™ provide the ultimate in buzz/fuzz and durability.
Attenuates and channels the unmuted trombone sound through two angled passageways, enabling more buzz while minimizing back pressure
Structural element inside the mute improves intonation and playability
Protect the resonators from damage in your bag/case while transmitting maximum buzz in your sound
Provide superior sonic and physical integrity
Playable alone or under our KR Indigo BIG BLUE Plunger, sold separately
A collection of photos, videos and advertisements with our products, customers and endorsing artists.
You asked. We answered.
While technically known as a butterfly valve, we call it the "Kenny Penny"™. The Kenny Penny is a brass rod with a penny "handle" on the outside and another penny on the inside. The hole in the center of the plunger is fully opened (vented) or closed (unvented) when the outer penny is rotated a quarter turn.
Some folks like a hole drilled in the center of their plunger and some don't, and others carry two plungers in their bag to have both. Now you can have either by rotating the Kenny Penny. Plunger master Al Grey advised trombone and trumpet players not to drill a hole through their plungers. Kenny Rampton likes to keep his plunger closed when playing with a pixie straight mute and open when playing plunger alone. There's no right or wrong way, and the Kenny Penny lets you discover your ideal sound.
The "KR Indigo MAX" (Height 3.5"/88.9mm, Outer diameter 5.145"/130.7mm, Inner lip diameter 4.21"/106.9mm) is slightly deeper and wider on the outside than the "KR Indigo", providing the ultimate in plunger sound and intonation. Works great on standard bell size trumpets (for example the Bach 37) as well as larger bell trumpets.
The "KR Indigo" model is for players that prefer a more traditionally sized plunger or have a shorter reach. Height 3.375"/85.7mm, Outer diameter 4.81"/122.2mm, Inner lip diameter (same as MAX) 4.21"/106.9mm.
All prices are subject to change.
| Where to buy | City/State | Country | Website Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Music Specialists | Brisbane | Australia | Click Here |
| Diefes Instrument Repair | Sydney | Australia | Click Here |
| Schagerl Music GmbH | Niedersterreich | Austria | Click Here |
| AJ Atelier des Cuivres | Paris & Lyon | France | Click Here |
| Thomann | Burgebrach | Germany | Click Here |
| Polar Brass | Oslo | Norway | Click Here |
| Vintage Trombones | Eindhoven | The Netherlands | Click Here |
| Phil Parker Ltd | London | United Kingdom | Click Here |
| Prozone Music | London | United Kingdom | Click Here |
| Art of Sound Music | Princeton, NJ | United States | Click Here |
| Asper Trumpet Products | Bonita Springs, FL | United States | Click Here |
| Austin Custom Brass | St. Louis, MO | United States | Click Here |
| Baltimore Brass Company | Catonsville, MD | United States | Click Here |
| Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center | Wheaton, MD | United States | Click Here |
| Del Quadro Custom Trumpets | Las Vegas, NV | United States | Click Here |
| Dillon Music | Woodbridge, NJ | United States | Click Here |
| Hoffman Music | Spokane, WA | United States | Click Here |
| J.Landress Brass | New York, NY | United States | Click Here |
| Milano Music Center | Mesa, AZ | United States | Click Here |
| James New | Hurricane, UT | United States | Click Here |
| Las Vegas Trumpet Company | Las Vegas, NV | United States | Click Here |
| Osmun Music | Acton, MA | United States | Click Here |
| Prince Brass Repairs | Huntington, NY | United States | Click Here |
| Quinlan & Fabish Music Co. | Burr Ridge, Arlington Heights & Montgomery, IL | United States | Click Here |
| Rich Ita's Brass Instrument Workshop | Marietta, GA | United States | Click Here |
| Sweetwater Music | Fort Wayne, IN | United States | Click Here |
| Thompson Music | Omaha, NE | United States | Click Here |
| Virtuosity | Boston, MA | United States | Click Here |
Educational institutions and US Military can request a 10% discount code for orders of 5 or more of the same mute...please contact us. The intention is to provide an even more affordable option to educational and military organizations looking to equip their sections.
The world's most discerning artists play on Hirschman Mutes.
“I love this mute! This is a great product for beginner, intermediate and advanced players because you don't have to fight with adjusting your air when you're playing. It has a penny you can use to play open mute or closed mute, depending on the sound that you like. It plays in tune, it stays in tune.
“The Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo BIG BLUE plunger mute really speaks!!! It gives me the “Wow’s & Wah-Wah” effects I like! Fits well in my hand. Lightweight! Feels great!!!”
“After many years playing the plunger (and playing a duffel bag full of different ones), the Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo BIG BLUE plunger is the best! The feel, size and intonation are AWESOME!”
“I was a faithful user of Kirkhill plungers all of my playing life until now. The KR Indigo BIG BLUE plunger is the perfect size, has the Kenny Penny valve and the feel around the bell is exceptional. It’s absolutely beautiful In color....Rich blue plays rich Blues!! And the squeeze is just right... I really love it!”
“The Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo BIG BLUE plunger mute is the most versatile plunger mute that I have ever played, and I’ve played many. The addition of the “Kenny Penny” valve gives the player flexibility for adjusting colors and timbres as well as intonation. Any brass player who is serious about playing with a plunger mute should have this mute in their arsenal.”
“The grip, feel, look, and versatility of the Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo BIG BLUE plunger mute helps with all my plunger needs. It’s useful for solo and section work.”
“Having a true 'plunger mute' is a game changer for trombonists! Playing the Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo Big Blue Plunger reminds me to make sure I have my plunger mute with me at all times!”
“Closed or open, the Kenny Penny kills!”
Brass players listen: I got this beauty from my good friend Kenny Rampton, a master in the art of plunger playing. He developed the KR Indigo Plunger with Hirschman Mutes and it is an absolute must-have. Only the Indigo has the Kenny Penny!
I’ve always had to teach students how to bend pitch in order to play in tune with a plunger. Bending isn't needed with the Hirschman Mutes KR Indigo because it plays PERFECTLY in tune. Great job Kenny...and you get the Kenny Penny!
Kenny Rampton’s new plunger mute is just great. The intonation is perfect, it fits nicely in my hand, and it’s easy to play in a variety of ways. I love it!
Wow! This sounds amazing! Thank you Kenny Rampton for supplying the Basie Orchestra with your new KR Indigo MAX Plunger! I'm really digging it.
Kenny Rampton plunger mutes - Your bell's best friend! Count Basie Orchestra Endorsed
The KR Indigo Plunger is a wonderful fit for the sound I hear in my inner ear. It allows me to have a deep rich sound and simultaneously not diminish all the creative characteristics available. As a trombonist who loves to play plunger solos, I feel I have more sounds and nuances immediately accessible. At the same time, the finger slot is a magical touch, so it never slips out of my hand. Thanks for thinking about the little things.
I love my Hirschman Mutes! The KR Indigo MAX's adjustable Kenny Penny opens up a world of subtle tonal possibilities. The mute also looks cool and feels great in my hand. Since I started using it, many of my colleagues have ordered one. The Chicago Stinger Gen II buzz mute is a very fun mute to play, adds a whole new sound my toolbox. and has surprisingly good intonation!
Our mutes are played by The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Airmen of Note, The Army Blues, The Count Basie Orchestra, Clayton Hamilton Big Band and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
“It's the best plunger I've ever tried”
Hey All!...Great new Kenny Rampton Plunger Mute! Check it out!
Best ever. Loving mine.
Comparing with a variety of classic plungers from my collection, the new KR Plunger came out on top with regard to overall pitch and sound.... it scores big on hand comfort, appearance and versatility too.
The KR Indigo plunger is amazing! I was expecting a ‘better’ plunger - but it’s so much better that it makes every other mute obsolete. There’s a whole new world of nuances I can get due to the shape and flexibility of the material, and the ability to open or close the hole is gold (also the coin is very cool).
I find I’m choosing to play with the KR Indigo so much more than I would ever use any previous mute, it’s just got more possibilities and I can be more expressive with it.
This plunger is amazing!
You need one of these! Seriously the best plunger mute I've ever played!
Thank you for the wonderful mute!
I love all of the attention to detail paid to developing this mute by Kenny, Ed and all the masters of plunger playing who contributed to its development.
Great mute Kenny, you nailed it! Thank you!!
やっと届きました！Kenny Ramptonのプランジャーミュートです！ 音色を変えられる装置が付いているので早く本番で使ってみたいです。
These are fantastic mutes!
Man, I love it. Size is perfect, CT vibe! Really love it.
Looking forward to getting these to my The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra trumpet section mates!
"Finally found the best plunger for this piece (Zimmermann trumpet concerto) 🎺😊 KR Indigo Max plunger!!"
Playing around w/ my Hirschman KR (Kenny Rampton) Indigo Plunger MAX. I absolutely love it and thank you Kenny Rampton for developing such a great product!
Thanks for making the greatest plunger of all time!
Thanks so much to Kenny Rampton for sending one my way and for all the thought that was put into its design. It projects great and plays in tune even when it's completely closed!
You just HAVE to get the Kenny Rampton KR Indigo plunger mute! There really is no comparison.
Man, I'm in love. This is the COOLEST mute ever. Thank you Kenny Rampton and Ed Hirschman for creating an absolutely ESSENTIAL part of every trumpeter's toolbox.
These are the best plungers I’ve played, so nice to finally have one with trumpet playing in mind!!! And I didn’t have to reject the stick from the clerk!
The Kenny Penny is so cool, it changes the sound quality and I’m still experimenting with which way I like it best. I’ll probably keep using this mute until I either die or it gets damaged, in which case, I’d get a new one. I think I’ll die with it still in near perfect condition.
The KR Indigo plunger is everywhere!!! You guys Definitely did a thing with that mute. I know it's making a significant appearance on a trumpet solo on the upcoming Dave Mathews Band album. Nobody should ever use a regular plunger ever again. Kenny Rampton and Hirschman Mutes changed the game.
Love my KR Indigo plunger and have you seen the Chicago Stinger Gen II?! Puts the Buzz-Wow to shame! Killer mutes!
