Extremely well made. Refined, consistent sound over entire range, no tuning problems at all, both with the cup fitted or the straight mute alone. Easy to adjust the cup. I prefer sound and response of the straight mute to other metal straight mutes (including Best Brass, the shape is different). I can use this mute in any situation as a straight or a cup and also as a practice mute with the cup close to the bell. I can play 99%+ of what I need either open or with this one mute.
It probably won't suit players who want the 'traditional' cup mute sound of H&B or Ray Robinson, who enjoy fiddling around filing corks to get the thing in tune etc. This mute works straight from the box and the sound will be too refined for them. Nothing wrong with tradition, but perhaps some of us can move forward a bit in time with this mute?