Dave Mickley

I have three horns that I rotate, two Benges and a K. Allmen [built by K. Allmendinger, shop foreman for V. Bach in the 50's]. I use a Monette 5LD on the K. Allmen but when I play the Benges it just doesn't seem to work as well. On the Benges I use a Reeves 42C or 42M depending on the venue. Why doesn't the Monette seem to work on the Benges?? It just seems dead on those horns. Dave

gzent

How does the receiver gap compare?

camelbrass

Dave,

I'm wondering whether the problem isn't a weight mismatch. OK on the Allmen but the Benge is quite a bit lighter I think and maybe the set-up isn't as well balanced.


Regards,


Trevor

Dave Mickley

Trevor - I think you might be on to something, the Benges are pretty light weight compared to the K. Allmen [which used Bach valves , tubing and his leader pipe and bell]. The Reeves are ok on all the different horns that I have owned but I have only tried the Monette on these three horns and a Mt. Vernon I owned for a while. It worked fine on the Mt. V. too, just not the Benges. The Benge 5X has a Bach 43 leader pipe on it and am considering going to a Benge pipe. Dave

rowuk

Dave,
what does "dead" mean? Hard to blow? Dull sound? Intonation?

The Monette concept with the "pitch" center does change the relative intonation of any horn that you play it with. It is very possible that the pitch center of the Benge is "fighting" with the Monette tuning. I do not think it is a weight issue.

Dave Mickley

Rowuk - it just has a dull sound on the Benge -on the K.Allmen it has a warm rich sound, does this make any sense? I do know that the K. Allmen has slight intonation issues and they seemed to have disapeared when I use the Monette. Dave

tpter1

Have you tried recording yourself? It may be that the sound you hear from behind the bell is vastly different from in front and a bit away from the bell.

c.nelson

sorry,won't happen again.

Dave Mickley

I do know that I have had several other trumpet players comment that they like my sound - tone or what ever better on the Benge. I also find the Benge easier for me to play, although I also like playing the K.Allmen. I will probably just stay with the Benge and get rid of the K.Allmen. Charlie Melk re-did the valves and aligned them and put his leader pipe on the K.Allmen so someone will get a very fine horn, it just isn't for me. Dave

rowuk

Dave,
one thing is very clear, something is very wrong! A Benge should never sound dull - brilliant was Eldons' middle name. The Monette mouthpieces are also not known for "dull" or "lifeless" sound. This is exactly what Dave describes as "low on the pitch" though, so you may want to try pulling your tuning slide out a bit to move the pitch center up.
If it was me, I would first call Dean Comley at Monette and describe the situation. If he can't help, then it is not worth trying to save that combination. It is possible that the Benge has a problem (gap or something). I have played several different models with my B2 and B2D mouthpieces with great results so a marriage should be theoretically possible.
In any case, if they are not compatible, it is divorce time: your choice mouthpiece or horn - no alimony or child support required!