| The first heavy trumpet I played was a Taylor. It looked like a Monette Ajna. I couldn't believe how well it played. People kept asking me that night "what is that thing?" No regard for how it played.
The next heavy horn was a 993 at the Monette factory. I also played two different Ajna horns that day. One of them I loved and the other I didn't care for. After Dave listened to me play for a while he said that I should get the Ajna, but I didn't. I thought it played really well but I was afraid.
I thought if the Monette thing didn't work for me I could sell the 993 easier.
When I was thinking about what trumpet to get I went to hear Ravi Best play a show on Broadway. I think it was Swing. The trumpet sounded great. It was an Ajna. Beautiful sound down low and up high. I think that was a turning point about the weight thing for me. (I still didn't get that trumpet though)
Mostly I think people are afraid of what they don't understand. Along with that people want everyone to like what they play. If I play Monette, it's the best; if I play Bach, it's the best. It goes to, "I made the best decision and I didn't get ripped off."
Now I play a 993 and although it plays really well I think everything is a trade off. I have some trouble hearing myself and the trumpet is a little heavy for me. I mean holding it up all night on a 4 hour big band job. |