[TPIN] Monette (if you are anti Monette person delete now)

[Warren Lopicka]

Greetings,
 
You've read the posts from great players on the list that did not like the Monette brand, now (for what its worth) read a review of Monettes from a comeback player which strictly plays in community bands.  I had the opportunity to visit Thompson music in NE.  A friend, much more gifted, and I gave the following horns a test this past Friday.  I was a bit of a cynic based on everything I've read and heard about Monettes.  (The staff at Thompson Music was outstanding and welcomed our visit.)  
 
Let me start by saying, if you ever get a chance to try a Monette...bring somebody to hear what's coming out of the FRONT of the horn and make sure to play in a large room.  We brought our horns with for a side by side comparison.  
 
Monette Prana XLT Bb Trumpet in Raw Brass.  This horn is about the weight of my Wild Thing.  First blow I noticed how centered all the notes were and smoothness of the valves.  Articulations were immediate and response was great.  All the passages on the horn were clean.  It was as if I had better technique on the horn.  It brought a smile to my face.  The horn was a very nice player.   Sounded a brighter than I expected for a Monette.  
 
Monette Prana 994 Bb Trumpet in raw brass.  Leadpipe is tilted upward by the Monette Factory to elevate the bell while keeping your head lowered.  Smooth, centered, even in all registers, broad spectrum of colors.

Monette AJNA II Bb Trumpet in Gold.  This thing was a tank.  It felt like 5 pounds in my hands.  My friend played it and asked if it was too dark.  I said no....not out front.  It had a huge sound, with a broad spectrum of overtones in every register.  He handed it to me.  I played it and it shocked me.  It sounded very dark from the players point of view.  I then realized what my friend was asking about the tone color.  I did not want to put this thing down.  Again the valves were silk.  The same passages I had just played on my horn, sounded like I had been practicing them for a month when I zipped through them.  The tone and sound was fantastic.  My friend said, "God, even you sound good on these."  (nice friend huh?)  I do believe I played and sounded much better on these trumpets than any other pro trumpet I've have tried.  The center of each note was being just nailed dead on....like I rarely play on my other horn.  These horns are much easier to
 play constant at all dynamic levels and ranges.  
 
These horns were fantastic.  Again, I know it's hard to evaluate a trumpet in a little over an hour, but I couldn't have had a better hour playing these horns.  It was a blast.  If you ever get a chance to try one....do it.  
 
Cons:  Thinking about how many jobs I need to get or things to sell to own one of these trumpets.  
 
 -wa

 
 
 
 

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Dont you dare do this off list. Us comeback guys want to know about 
Monettes. We are all interested in what your impression is.
if this was a car list and you got to drive a Ferrari, you think we 
would not want to hear about it?

Travis

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