FEATURES
- Vintage Magosy & Buscher "Non Pareil" aluminum straight trumpet mute
- Patented in New York between approximately 1926 and 1929
- Lightweight aluminum construction delivers fast response and brilliant projection
- Produces a bright, focused, slightly raspy tone favored by jazz and orchestral musicians
- Legendary for its distinctive "growling" and "sassy" sound, especially when paired with a plunger
- Historic rolled-over cone design contributes to its unique resistance and tonal character
- Some original examples featured innovative pop-up cork holders for improved fit and stability
- Maintains excellent projection while preserving tonal color and clarity
- Inspired the modern Tom Crown Model A straight mute
- Highly collectible and increasingly difficult to find
- Moderate vintage condition with minor cosmetic wear; fully playable
- Original corks remain installed, with one cork missing a small section but still functional
DESCRIPTION
The Magosy & Buscher "Non Pareil" aluminum straight mute stands among the most influential trumpet mutes ever produced. Manufactured during the late 1920s and patented in New York between 1926 and 1929, the "Non Pareil"—French for "unrivaled"—quickly earned an exceptional reputation among both professional orchestral musicians and jazz performers for its unmistakable tonal character and outstanding projection.
Constructed from lightweight aluminum, the mute produces a brilliant, edgy sound with just the right amount of grit. Its signature tonal profile combines brightness, bite, and a subtle growl, allowing soloists to project effortlessly through an ensemble while maintaining warmth and musicality. The focused response and vibrant articulation also make it a favorite in orchestral performance, particularly in the upper register.
The Magosy & Buscher became legendary through its use by some of the most celebrated trumpet players of the twentieth century. Jazz icon Cootie Williams famously paired the mute with a plunger to create his unmistakable "ya-ya" sound during his years with Duke Ellington, while legendary Chicago Symphony principal trumpet Adolph "Bud" Herseth relied on one for decades, further cementing its reputation among elite brass players.
As original examples became increasingly scarce, demand from professional musicians inspired the development of the Tom Crown Model A straight mute, widely regarded as one of the closest modern recreations of the Magosy & Buscher's unique resistance, response, and tonal characteristics.
The Magosy & Buscher "Non Pareil" remains one of the most sought-after vintage trumpet mutes ever produced, prized equally by performers, collectors, and brass enthusiasts for its rarity, historical significance, and unmistakable sound.
The example offered here is in moderate vintage condition. It shows several minor pings near the top of the mute along with a few small dings around the lower section that are consistent with decades of careful use. One of the original corks has a small missing section, but it remains secure and fully usable for both rehearsal and performance. This is an outstanding opportunity to own a genuine piece of brass-playing history that still performs as intended.
SPECIFICATIONS
Product Name: Magosy & Buscher "Non Pareil" Straight MuteInstrument: TrumpetMute Type: Straight MuteMaterial: AluminumPatent Era: Approx. 1926–1929Origin: New York, USAFinish: Natural AluminumSound Profile: Bright, focused, slightly raspy with growling characteristicsPerformance Applications: Jazz ensembles, orchestral performance, solo playingDistinctive Design: Rolled-over cone construction; some original models featured pop-up cork holdersTonal Characteristics: Strong projection, upper-register clarity, unique resistanceNotable Performers: Adolph "Bud" Herseth, Cootie WilliamsHistorical Influence: Inspiration for the Tom Crown Model A straight muteCollectibility: Rare and highly collectible vintage brass accessoryCondition: Moderate vintage condition with minor cosmetic dents and wear; one original cork has a small missing section but remains functional
