Jimi Michiel

Stéphane,

I've sold several Monette mouthpieces in the last year and the market varies. Assuming you keep the mouthpiece in perfect condition, popular sizes (B2, B4) will go for around $150 for no-Prana (originally $200+) and around $230 for a Prana (originally $300+). No matter how good it is, an Prana AP11 (piccolo mouthpiece, equivalent to a Bach 1X, originally $300+) is not going to fetch a very good price. Check out Mike Thompson's selection of used mouthpieces to get an idea: Used Mouthpieces at Thompson Music Online

-Jimi

Jimi Michiel

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Jazz9-

There are lots of mouthpieces out there. I was directed to Monette mouthpieces by a teacher that I trusted. So far, they've worked out great for me. I haven't changed mouthpiece sizes since my senior year of high school (I'm 25 now) and I have absolutely no reason to ever want to change (size or brand).

Out of curiosity, why do you want to switch to a Monette mouthpiece? I'm the last person who will try to talk you out of it, but if you're going solely on the fact that players you enjoy listening to use and endorse them, you might want to do some additional research on the concepts and philosophies behind Monette equipment before you make an investment. They require a different approach, one that works for many, but not all. Be as informed a consumer as you possibly can.

-Jimi

jazz9

I am really going to try to be informed as much as I can. I just have been looking around for a new mouthpiece, and I saw the Monettes. They looked awesome, and I knew Wynton Marsalis played one, so I wanted to try one. I didn't realize it was so much of a big investment, but I guess it really is. Jimi, I have a private teacher, but he was my old band director. He is primarily a euphonium player, but it helps for him to just tell me what to work on. There is a local university that this guy teaches at, and I have been trying to get a lesson with. He is great, but my parents are VERY strict about everything. The last time I tried to get a lesson with him, my parents found a way to get me out of it. I'm still trying to get a lesson with the trumpet guy at the school I'm hoping to attend.

I'm also kind of tired of my mouthpiece's inconsistency. Sometimes it feels like it has something in it, other times it feels great. I know it's not the horn, I've done hours of study on this. I just have recently gotten interested in unconventional mouthpieces. I tried a Lead 342 Asymmetric by John Lynch, but I had to send it back. It just didn't work for me. I have been wanting a Wedge for a while now, but I just couldn't figure out how to buy one. Monette just seems like the Cadillac of trumpets and equipment to me. I wanted in on that.

Anyway, sorry for the long response, just wanted you all to know my thoughts. Let me know if there is anything you disagree with or think I should change. Thanks!

Schwab

Hi jazz9, any mouthpiece is just a piece of metal, and as long as it is clean, it isn't going to change from day to day. The inconsistency is more often the person behind the equipment, and switching mouthpieces won't help that!

I'd invest in some lessons before an expensive mouthpiece.

jazz9

I'm telling you guys, I am really trying to set up some lessons with some good teachers, but my family is not as supportive of my so called "hobby" as I want them to be. They don't understand it, so they don't let me take lessons from the teachers I have suggested. I know I am only a high school player, but I care about playing as much as anyone I know. I also know I am inconsistent from day to day, but I am just trying to see if anything else works better than what I am using now. My mouthpiece, it being the old junker it is, has served me well for many years, but I believe it is time for a change. It seems as if a lot of people have insisted for me not to yet invest in a Monette, so I won't. I'll stick to Bach, but it won't be a 7C.

Jimi Michiel

Dylan,

I mostly agree, although the mouthpiece I play 99 percent of the time varies greatly depending on whether the M in Monette faces east or west. Things lock in much better when the M is pointing east. Roger Blackburn told me in a lesson that he experienced an incredible inconsistency in the response of his equipment until he started paying attention to the rotation of the mouthpiece. Just some food for thought.

-Jimi

bagmangood

Definitely true, I've experimented myself with this after John Thyhsen suggested I try this. But he's another monette client so I guess they're everywhere
But it works with other pieces too, I just haven't experimented that much...

Schwab

Jimi, I do this with my own mouthpieces, but I think this is a pretty fine tune for players that can tell when any little thing is different with their equipment.

Buying a new mouthpiece still won't solve this issue, try finding a good spot on your 7C.

Mouthpieces can play better in certain places due to the backbore not being cut exactly straight into the mouthpiece or the receiver on the horn not being soldered on completely straight.

jazz9

OK, I'll try finding the "sweet spot."

hubnub

I've heard of this as well. It's called "dialing in". I've noticed the same with my Monette's as well. Maybe it's in our heads.... but I do notice better slotting. I don't know about the whole "east/west" thing though