Why gold plated?

dkelley · 11-02-2006, 03:11 PM

I notice on the Monette web page that all of their mouthpieces are gold plated. I find this interesting because I've heard people say that the difference in grip between gold and silver plating effects some people's playing. Some people have a strong preference for one or the other. Does Monette have a theory about mouthpieces or embouchures that makes him only make his with gold plating? Why not offer both gold and solver plating?

I'm just curious.

Dale Proctor · 11-02-2006, 03:35 PM

Probably uses gold plating to help justify the price. Even the cheap-o mouthpieces you buy are silver plated, so gold lends an air of exclusivity.

Jimi Michiel · 11-02-2006, 11:47 PM

David,

Just give them a call and ask them yourself. Monette has the best customer service in the business. Just ask for Dean Comley, he's always done a great job answering my questions.

Jimi

PS. I just got my new STC-3 Prana C1-2 S3 in the mail today and it plays incredibly!!! Not to start a big arguement, but I'd rather pay more and have something I'm really comfortable with than save a buck and get a mouthpiece that's almost perfect for me. If you feel comfortable on a $30 Bach mouthpiece, great! I guess I just have expensive taste

Tootsall · 11-03-2006, 01:02 AM

While understanding your question about "grip", there are a few reasons why I personally like gold-plated mouthpieces;
1) They look cool
2) It matches the finish of my horn! (a silver m/p on a gold horn just looks tacky)
3) It just feels better to me than silver
4) Once you've sprung the coin for a new horn, why not spend the extra to get it gold plated? It's kind of like... "might as well spec. out a nice set of wheels on the new car".

Having said that, if you like the feel or appearance of silver, then get silver... isn't it great that we've got the choice?

trumpetmike · 11-03-2006, 03:45 AM

I would guess that the price justification suggestion is a good one, but I am very cynical.

I use gold plate on my flugel, but am not such a fan on trumpet/piccolo/cornet - I wish there was some logic behind it, but I haven't found one yet

rowuk · 11-03-2006, 07:28 AM

There are several reasons for at least offering gold:
it is chemically inert and doesn't tarnish
it is "smoother" than silver and I feel it has less grip
I used to get small sores at the corner of my mouth, a teacher recommended trying a gold plated mouthpiece (at that time a Schilke 18), I tried, it worked and I haven't had a sore since. Could be coincidence, but never change a working system.
I have worked with Dave Monette since 1997 and have never been dissappointed. What he and his team has recommended has worked well for me. I just trust him.
I have an 85 year old mentor that still plays on his unplated brass mouthpiece - he has been for 70 years - that works too (very well i might add).

cyber_shake · 11-04-2006, 12:58 AM

* I agree gold looks better ... but is does feel 'slicker' and as much as I like looking at it, I personally feel more comfortable with a silver mouthpiece.

* BTW - I play with 'dry' chops (so I don't like slick)

* IMHO - if possible, try a gold one (of whatever you play now) and see if you like 'the feel' before going deeper into your pocket.

NYTC · 11-04-2006, 10:06 AM

From what I heard,Gold plating will warm up faster on your lips,smoother surface,and of course,looks really cool.....

Alex Yates · 11-04-2006, 10:34 AM

Aside from looks, it really is the feel. If you like an anchored feeling, then silver is probably the way to go. If you like a smoother surface that permits a bit of "floating" on the air and vibration, go with gold. I play gold on the big horns, but stick with silver for my piccolo playing.

John P · 11-04-2006, 03:10 PM

I could've sworn I saw a picture on the Monette website of a guy with a Monette horn with a silver STC-3 mouthpiece. I'll look around and see if I can find it.

11-02-2006, 03:11 PM	#1
dkelley New Friend Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 45	Why gold plated? I notice on the Monette web page that all of their mouthpieces are gold plated. I find this interesting because I've heard people say that the difference in grip between gold and silver plating effects some people's playing. Some people have a strong preference for one or the other. Does Monette have a theory about mouthpieces or embouchures that makes him only make his with gold plating? Why not offer both gold and solver plating? I'm just curious. __________________ -David Kelley

11-02-2006, 03:35 PM	#2
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Probably uses gold plating to help justify the price. Even the cheap-o mouthpieces you buy are silver plated, so gold lends an air of exclusivity. __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

11-02-2006, 11:47 PM	#3
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,849	David, Just give them a call and ask them yourself. Monette has the best customer service in the business. Just ask for Dean Comley, he's always done a great job answering my questions. Jimi PS. I just got my new STC-3 Prana C1-2 S3 in the mail today and it plays incredibly!!! Not to start a big arguement, but I'd rather pay more and have something I'm really comfortable with than save a buck and get a mouthpiece that's almost perfect for me. If you feel comfortable on a $30 Bach mouthpiece, great! I guess I just have expensive taste __________________

11-03-2006, 07:28 AM	#6
rowuk Moderator Utimate User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 7,355	There are several reasons for at least offering gold: it is chemically inert and doesn't tarnish it is "smoother" than silver and I feel it has less grip I used to get small sores at the corner of my mouth, a teacher recommended trying a gold plated mouthpiece (at that time a Schilke 18), I tried, it worked and I haven't had a sore since. Could be coincidence, but never change a working system. I have worked with Dave Monette since 1997 and have never been dissappointed. What he and his team has recommended has worked well for me. I just trust him. I have an 85 year old mentor that still plays on his unplated brass mouthpiece - he has been for 70 years - that works too (very well i might add). __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

11-04-2006, 12:58 AM	#7
cyber_shake New Friend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 15	Gold and Silver * I agree gold looks better ... but is does feel 'slicker' and as much as I like looking at it, I personally feel more comfortable with a silver mouthpiece. * BTW - I play with 'dry' chops (so I don't like slick) * IMHO - if possible, try a gold one (of whatever you play now) and see if you like 'the feel' before going deeper into your pocket. __________________ Blaine Cincinnati, Ohio USA axes: Romeo Adaci Referenz Bb (satin gold) Lawler TLFL (#801 - scratch brass) Getzen Eterna 'Doc' model m-piece: Marcinkiewicz E3/3C CH avatar = me @ EKU '93

11-03-2006, 01:02 AM	#4
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	While understanding your question about "grip", there are a few reasons why I personally like gold-plated mouthpieces; 1) They look cool 2) It matches the finish of my horn! (a silver m/p on a gold horn just looks tacky) 3) It just feels better to me than silver 4) Once you've sprung the coin for a new horn, why not spend the extra to get it gold plated? It's kind of like... "might as well spec. out a nice set of wheels on the new car". Having said that, if you like the feel or appearance of silver, then get silver... isn't it great that we've got the choice?

11-03-2006, 03:45 AM	#5
trumpetmike Forte User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Farnham (a place too smal Posts: 1,202	I would guess that the price justification suggestion is a good one, but I am very cynical. I use gold plate on my flugel, but am not such a fan on trumpet/piccolo/cornet - I wish there was some logic behind it, but I haven't found one yet

11-04-2006, 10:06 AM	#8
NYTC Forte User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 1,213	From what I heard,Gold plating will warm up faster on your lips,smoother surface,and of course,looks really cool..... __________________ www.NewYorkTrumpetCompany.com Stage 1 Trumpets http://stores.shop.ebay.com/New-York...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

11-04-2006, 10:34 AM	#9
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,405	Aside from looks, it really is the feel. If you like an anchored feeling, then silver is probably the way to go. If you like a smoother surface that permits a bit of "floating" on the air and vibration, go with gold. I play gold on the big horns, but stick with silver for my piccolo playing.

11-04-2006, 03:10 PM	#10
John P Piano User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 326	I could've sworn I saw a picture on the Monette website of a guy with a Monette horn with a silver STC-3 mouthpiece. I'll look around and see if I can find it. __________________ JP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAF67ua91Dk www.myspace.com/jmpowlison

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