Robson

I've an old Monette brochure (the one with Wynton's Samadhi on the cover) and at that brochure they afirm that the 997 is a little lighter that the Ajna but it has a darker sound.

I also have a brochure made in 2004 about the prana mouthpieces and horns. At that brochure they say that the 997 is classified as dark and the Ajna as medium dark.

Now-a-days you can see on the website that they say that the P7 is number 7,5 and the Ajna 8 (1 is the brighest and 10 the darkest). Exactly the opposite of the preview information.

Have you ever tried a Monette 997 or P7? How would you compare it with the 993 and the Ajna?

rowuk

Robson,
Dave Monette has learned a lot in the last 10 years. The entire Prana range is more "brilliant" than the predecessors. That means that a P7 is not as "dark" as a 997. I had the Ajna2 and it was perhaps not as "dark" as the 997, but it had a much "thicker" sound and more projection. Many people thought that it sounded darker. The Prana Ajna is a very radical instrument. I believe what Dave publishes. All of the Prana instruments are much more "resonant". I can't explain it. You need to play them for a couple of weeks (optimally with another person with a similar weight instrument) and you then know what I am talking about.
The second trumpet player in my quintet bought my Ajna2 and the blend with my Prana3 gives us an additional dimension.
The 993 is just a great all around horn. Trent Austin has some awesome clips on the internet. The sound is lighter and not quite as dense as the Ajna and will blend with conventional instruments more easily.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Jimi Michiel

Robson,

I play a C997 and matching B937. They are by far the darkest instruments that I have ever played. When I ordered my C997 from the shop, it wasn't in the catalog because, in many ways, it was too dark for orchestral playing. They built it for me because I had a really clear idea of what I wanted (I even gave them the serial number of a horn I had played before). At the time I was a student at NEC, where many of my classmates played heavy Monettes. Five years later, I rarely bring the C997 to orchestral gigs because most of the people I play with can't match me. The B937 works a little better in a section; I regularly use it playing in a bigband section and works well as both a solo instrument and blending with other players in my section. It also helps that I got a lighter STC2 mouthpiece for it.

I don't have as much experience with the Ajnas (none with the Prana Ajnas), but a good friend of mine at NEC had a set and I can say that they're amazing instruments. Side by side, the Ajna C could go almost as dark as my C997, but could go MUCH brighter. The Ajna produces a much more "live" sound.

The really nice thing about Monettes is that, when you order one, they're great about helping you decided which instrument is going to be best for you. If you're really serious about them, give them a call and talk to Dave. They're customer service is exactly what you would expect (and deserve) for the price.

-Jimi

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Robson

Thank you very much for the answers.

Fist of all let me introduce myself. I'm an aeronautical engineer and also a mechanical technician and I usually see thing in a more technical way than the average.

Try to help me guy. From what I know the mandril of the bigger belled monette (5 5/8") is always the same. I mean the shape of the bell is always the same, it makes no differece if it's 993 or a Raja Samadhi, but of course the material thickness is different.

The Ajna is heavier than the 997, but they share the same bell shape. How it's possible the Ajna been brighter? Is the leadpipe the difference? Is the material the difference?

You guy are so polite... I'm sure you won't get angry if I ask another questoin about Monettes. What's the advantege of the mid size shank? I know just that it's a little larger than the regular.

Jimi Michiel

Robson,

I can't tell you much about the mid shank as I haven't gotten the opportunity to play one yet.

The 997 is basically an Ajna without sheet bracing. It is a HEAVY instrument. I think the brightness may be due to the placement of the bracing. No doubt Monette spent a significant amount of time designing and figuring out the exact placement of the braces to create the most efficient transfer of energy between the leadpipe and the bell. As Robin mentioned, the result a much better sense of presence/projection in the sound, which I think contributes to the brighter sound.

-Jimi

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rowuk

the shape of the bell is only one factor of many. The bracing, the thicker leadpipe and the additional weight at strategic points on the trumpet balance it much differently
I have the prana3 with the midsized shank. It allows for a different backbore and leadpipe taper. That allows for a greater range of soft to loud as well as a different "palette" of "colors". The Ajna shank is even bigger!

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Robson

Thank you very much for the answers!

Just to prepare my pocket...first of all I need to send a deposit of US$ 500.00 and the balance when the horn is finished. Is that right?

Do I need to know the model when I send the first deposit?

Siegtrmpt

The best thing you can do is actually visit the shop in person and try out their shop horns. Second best is to call or email the shop and discuss your needs/desires with them. They know their products well and will work with you to decide which of their horns/mouthpieces will be best for you.

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Bill S.- NY Bach 6, 38 Mt. Vernon 43 Bach "C" cornet, NY Bach trombone 6vii Monette mouthpieces

Jimi Michiel

You don't need to know the model when you put your deposit down. I think you have to pay the balance before they actually begin making the horn. Just give them a call, they'll help you out.

-Jimi

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rowuk

The purchase cycle is started with a questionnaire, then speaking with Dave or Dean, then with the deposit. The deposit gets you on the waiting list and I think my invoices always came just before the instrument was sent to be plated - about 3-6 weeks before delivery. As at least a year goes by before delivery, you have some time to figure out what you want to do, but actually the decision is not that tough.
You need to know what you will be playing and what other types of players and horns you will be performing with. You need a basic idea of how "different" your sound can be in those venues and then generally one horn pops out and says buy me.
I bought the Ajna2 for its flexibility and security for my 1st trumpet playing in the orchestra and chamber music. I used it on occasion playing lead in the big band, but that was not the best solution for that. 2nd trumpet (the chorus book) would have been more optimal. The new Prana Ajna seems to be even more radical, and as I can't demand that my 2nd trumpet players all have equivalent instruments, I decided on the Prana3 after 10 wonderful years with the Ajna2.
Dave has learned quite a bit and there is definitely no step backward in what I did. In addition, the Bach players around me have life a bit easier than before - that makes my life easier in the section.
Many players base the purchase of an instrument on what THEY think would make them the best player. What happens during performance is often a much different situation.
Analyse your BIG PICTURE. Talk to Dean and Dave. I am sure, the optimal horn will become obvious.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.