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Jimi Michiel · 04-11-2008, 06:30 PM

Dan-

This is a really interesting angle to look at these horns--Monette is constantly striving for perfection and the nomenclature is constantly changing to reflect improved designs.

So here are the Monette instruments I've owned/played--

C997 (2003) -- This was my first Monette horn. At the time they only made the B-flat equivalent (B997), mainly because the predecessor (C937) was so dark that in the next generation they decided that the configuration would only really appeal to small group jazz combo players and not orchestral musicians. I had played a C937 at NEC and really liked it, so when I ordered my horn I gave them the serial number of the one I played and they used that horn as a starting point to build my C997.

STC-1 E-flat -- I bought this one used and got a really great deal on it. It was originally built for Andrew Balio and had his initials stamped on the side. It had a lot of the playing characteristics I like in Monette instruments, but I had some problems with intonation and evenness throughout the horn. In hindsight, it may have been designed for a bigger mouthpiece (I forget what Balio played when he used Monette equipment). I took it to the shop and had Dave fit a mouthpiece for it, but eventually decided to sell it. To be fair, I still haven't found an E-flat trumpet I really like. Maybe I just have something against the key...

B937 -- This one is a loaner, but I've had it for about a year and a half now. It's nice because it's essentially the perfect match to my C997, albeit a little early. Maybe I'll post some pictures later, but it's very interesting to compare the two instruments--there are subtle changes in the bracing design and other "minor" parts that really give my C997 a little different feel than the older B937.

MC 96 -- Just got this one a few weeks ago. It's silver plated and also the longest trumpet I've ever owned. I had to buy a Monette double case just to have a case that fit. This trumpet is the most responsive instrument I've ever played. You think about playing a note and it's already at the back of the hall. The only drawback is I have to be really careful not to put too much on the front of the note because it's just so responsive.

Bach/Monette conversion -- This horn was converted by Monette at some point. It had a Monette STC-1 leadpipe, tuning slide and Getzen-style brace between the second valve and leadpipe. It played like a Bach, although much more evenly.

Prana XLT/LT/P1 Bb - Coming 9/09 I put my order in a few weeks ago, now I've just got to wait (and save!). On the plus side, I'll be getting a big shipment of mouthpieces next week to try and find the right fit for a lead trumpet mouthpiece. That should keep my busy for a little while...

Other horns I've played...

Valveless Posthorn -- This wasn't the one Dave made for Charlie to do Mahler 3, this was a valveless posthorn made specifically for the Mozart Posthorn Serenade. I got to play this right after I heard Charlie play it with the BSO in 2006. I was preparing the excerpt for an audition, so it was interesting to play it. He used a STC-3 flumpet mouthpiece. I'm pretty sure it was the heaviest posthorn I will ever play.

Modified Schilke P5-4 -- One of my high school teachers had his P5-4 modified by Dave in the early 90s when Dave still did occaisional work on other maker's horns. This P5-4 had a Monette leadpipe and a Raja-style "fin" going from the bell to the 4th slide. It added a lot of mass and darkened the sound, and everything slotted much, much better.

04-11-2008, 06:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,747	Re: Monette Loyalist(s)? Dan- This is a really interesting angle to look at these horns--Monette is constantly striving for perfection and the nomenclature is constantly changing to reflect improved designs. So here are the Monette instruments I've owned/played-- C997 (2003) -- This was my first Monette horn. At the time they only made the B-flat equivalent (B997), mainly because the predecessor (C937) was so dark that in the next generation they decided that the configuration would only really appeal to small group jazz combo players and not orchestral musicians. I had played a C937 at NEC and really liked it, so when I ordered my horn I gave them the serial number of the one I played and they used that horn as a starting point to build my C997. STC-1 E-flat -- I bought this one used and got a really great deal on it. It was originally built for Andrew Balio and had his initials stamped on the side. It had a lot of the playing characteristics I like in Monette instruments, but I had some problems with intonation and evenness throughout the horn. In hindsight, it may have been designed for a bigger mouthpiece (I forget what Balio played when he used Monette equipment). I took it to the shop and had Dave fit a mouthpiece for it, but eventually decided to sell it. To be fair, I still haven't found an E-flat trumpet I really like. Maybe I just have something against the key... B937 -- This one is a loaner, but I've had it for about a year and a half now. It's nice because it's essentially the perfect match to my C997, albeit a little early. Maybe I'll post some pictures later, but it's very interesting to compare the two instruments--there are subtle changes in the bracing design and other "minor" parts that really give my C997 a little different feel than the older B937. MC 96 -- Just got this one a few weeks ago. It's silver plated and also the longest trumpet I've ever owned. I had to buy a Monette double case just to have a case that fit. This trumpet is the most responsive instrument I've ever played. You think about playing a note and it's already at the back of the hall. The only drawback is I have to be really careful not to put too much on the front of the note because it's just so responsive. Bach/Monette conversion -- This horn was converted by Monette at some point. It had a Monette STC-1 leadpipe, tuning slide and Getzen-style brace between the second valve and leadpipe. It played like a Bach, although much more evenly. Prana XLT/LT/P1 Bb - Coming 9/09 I put my order in a few weeks ago, now I've just got to wait (and save!). On the plus side, I'll be getting a big shipment of mouthpieces next week to try and find the right fit for a lead trumpet mouthpiece. That should keep my busy for a little while... Other horns I've played... Valveless Posthorn -- This wasn't the one Dave made for Charlie to do Mahler 3, this was a valveless posthorn made specifically for the Mozart Posthorn Serenade. I got to play this right after I heard Charlie play it with the BSO in 2006. I was preparing the excerpt for an audition, so it was interesting to play it. He used a STC-3 flumpet mouthpiece. I'm pretty sure it was the heaviest posthorn I will ever play. Modified Schilke P5-4 -- One of my high school teachers had his P5-4 modified by Dave in the early 90s when Dave still did occaisional work on other maker's horns. This P5-4 had a Monette leadpipe and a Raja-style "fin" going from the bell to the 4th slide. It added a lot of mass and darkened the sound, and everything slotted much, much better. __________________ Last edited by Jimi Michiel; 04-11-2008 at 06:34 PM.