Robson

Hello Guys

I’m planing to buy a Monette trumpet. I don’t know what’s gonna be the model yet, but during the beginning of this year I tried my friend’s Ajna and I just loved... if I could I would buy an Ajna at that moment....

I’m a church musician and my conductor is extremely conservative and for that reason I can’t buy the Ajna, not because it sounds different, but just because it looks different, so I was considering the P7 as the best option (the closest to the Ajna).

I don’t want to thrust only in my guessing so I decided to visit the Monette shop and I’ve an appointment on January... but I have big problem: They told me that they will have the 993, the P3 and the Ajna, but not the P7!

-Does it worth to visit the shop even without the P7?
-Would you send more than 12K in a trumpet that you have never tried?
-Do you know anybody that has a Bb P7?
-What would you do?

Desperate for answers

Robson

P.S. I know that one solution is to talk to the conductor and buy the Ajna, but believe me, he’s not a reasonable person! Just to give an exemple: few years ago he forbade a trumpet player to play his brand new instrument just because it was black lacquered!

bagmangood

Have you tried any other monette horns before?
The P3/993 horns are very good and can be used in a lot of different styles and are a lot of fun to play.

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Danbassin

Robson,

I haven't played a P7, though I have played an STC-7, 937, and 997, as well as Ajnas, P3's, and quite a few others. It's unfortunate that your conductor is so set in his ways that the SIGHT of a sheet-braced instrument would for him so alter the SOUND he should have been paying attention to! I had highly considered going with a P7 when my Bb Prana was going to be built, and would have gladly paid that much for the instrument, but am very happy with the horn I choose. Ask anyone at the shop about the playing characteristics of any one of the horns, and they will be very honest with you - they don't want you to go home with any horn, they want you to have one that you would love, and that would allow you to best make the music you love.

A quick word on the 7-weight instruments, as compared to the Ajnas - although the Ajna is somewhat heavier than a P7, and though its base tone color is technically darker, it has been my experience that the 7-weight instruments play and feel quite a bit darker than the Ajnas. Part of the reason for this, I believe, is that the sheet bracing on the Ajna heightens the overtone spectrum in such a way that the heavy physical weight of the horn is perfectly complimented. I've always felt Ajnas to be smooth, rich, and brilliant. Brilliance does not come as easily on a 7-weight instrument, though qualities such as powerful and, with enough air, brassy are attainable. I believe this is why Dave usually describes the 7's as mainly Jazz and solo horns, and doesn't make a standard P7 C trumpet - the Ajna does all of that and more, for a classical player.

Not knowing your playing, it would be silly of me to make a recommendation, but I can't help myself - I'd strongly suggest a P1. Even though the P1 has a 'smaller' bell than the larger Monette instruments, it plays like a monster. It's actually a 'BIG' small horn, whereas a horn like a P3 might feel like a 'light' BIG horn, if that makes any sense.

I'll stop here, and let others chime in.

All the best,

-db

ROGERIO

Find another church.... unless they are paying for your new instrument.

veery715

If you are buying for looks and want to spend that kind of money does it really matter if you try it?

I'm kidding actually, but I feel you should buy what you want - folks in church are supposed to be focusing on matters other than the looks of your trumpet. And what about tolerance? Despite your small print - maybe you should get your conductor to look at the pictures on the Monette website and explain why you want an Anja, expecially considering its cost. If you let him opine beforehand I think it would be hard for him to counter your wishes on the basis of appearance. And if he gets the idea you value his opinion and he's influencing your decision, he's liable to be so flattered (it is $12K! - now that's devout) that he'll encourage you to buy it despite its unconventional look. Sound, blending, and facility of playing should come first - musical considerations before aesthetic ones. It won't hurt to consult him, even if he has the gumption to nix your choice. Often highly biased folks get that way because they've been deprived of choices earlier in life, and involving them is a sure way to get them to soften up

But anyway, the other three horns all look about the same, while not entirely conventional. I don't know how long your performances are, but you might seriously consider horns lighter than the Anja or P7. If you aren't traveling far to the shop, you might as well go play what they have. There's no obligation to buy. (Take your conductor along - or maybe not)

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stchasking

I shall remain silent.

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Robson

Thank you very much guys.

This afternoon I talked to Dean Comley and I decided to visit the shop even without the P7. I think playing the available horns are gonna give me a better idea of the P7 and a better idea of what's gonna work for me.

Dean said something that surprised me a lot. He said that the P7 (in his opinion) is closer to the P3 than to the Ajna. I was thinking the opposite. He just said that the P7 is a little darker than the P3.

I have a question for you guys that had experience with the P7 or 997. In your opinion the P7 it closer to the P3 or closer to the Ajna? Tell me about your experience.

P.S. I didn't know that they are so kind at the Monette shop.

Walter

Change church? Why not go to a church that worships idols? ....... I think not.

Robson you may be in a no win situation here....if you buy a horn that keeps your conductor happy you will always wish you had bought an Ajna.....if you buy an Ajna you will always know that your conductor is not happy. I would talk with the conductor (perhaps you already have) about the issues of what trumpet and why. If the church is full of wealthy people then it may be acceptable (not necessarily right)...if full of poor people than maybe any Monette horn might be out of place. I once heard from a well known California preacher that he was given a new BMW car..... people felt sorry for him in his beat up old xxxxx. Every Sunday after the service people would come up to him and talk about his amazing car.....he got rid of it. He would rather they had talked about more important things....

The music is what really matters in church but the conditions for the music to be heard well may mean a horn change. What do you play now and how has that worked....

Don't think I am preaching because I can't talk....I play in church and have too many horns. I would love to be in your position and of course I would go for the P3......

Walter

trumpetnick

I haven't met Dave and his crew, but most of trumpet boutiques crew are extremely kind and helpful, no matter if you are Maynard Ferguson, Philip Smith or just an average player, unknown to the general public. This is called to be a professional. Monette horns are expensive, but if you can afford one it is fine. Walter got a good point though. If you really want the ajna, you can still play your old trumpet at church, till they decide to change the conductor. Most conductors would just not bother about what instrument you play on, as far as they like the sound.

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Sterling

I visited the Monette factory last August to pick up a B6 Prana Flumpet flugelhorn mouthpiece. Dean Comley was very nice and gracious about my playing. He had me try a P3 as well as some of the lighter weight trumpets. Dean also gave me suggestions about posture and their approach to playing. I was impressed with how they treated me, a middle school band director, not some trumpet star! Dave Monette came in when I was trying the P3 and asked me questions about my everyday horn, a Bach Strad 43 Sterling and wished that I had brought that so I could see how his horns compared to it. All in all a very nice experience.