From: goodloe@birdland.ingr.com (Tony Goodloe)
Subject: Re: The Monette Trumpets (was Re: Wynton's horn)
Reply-To: goodloe@birdland.b11.ingr.com
Organization: Intergraph Corporation
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 19:38:06 GMT

>So I've had various experiences/reactions to the whole Monette trumpet
>deal.  First, my former trumpet teacher, Kevin Woelfel, was running
>the business end of Monette's company up until a few months ago.

When I went to the Monette shop to play some horns it was Kevin that
showed me around. 

>Kevin had a Monette early on, and while he thought it was great, I
>didn't hear substantial improvement over the sound of his Bach.

When I played a Monette, there was a fairly substantial improvement in
my tone, but I really noticed a huge increase in my dynamic range and
my range. It seemed as though I could keep playing on up. It was
smooth. Being just a hack amatuer, I have wondered how much a
difference a Monette would make in an experienced player, such as
Kevin.

>Which says nothing about
>his current craftsmanship, but is interesting nonetheless (how do you
>get into the custom trumpet business?  How do you succeed?  Amazing!
>Must be an unusual guy.)
>

I read an article on him and aparently he started out making mods to
horns, and ultimately this evolved into custom horns. They located in
Chicago (he was out west originally) for marketing purposes.

> Frankly, my opinion has
>always been that the horn doesn't matter that much.
                                          ^^^^ ^^^^
I tend to agree/disagree. There was a marked improvement in what I could
play on a Monette, but this may be due as much to getting the right
mouthpiece/bore combination as it being a Monette.

>I paid $300 for a used Bach
>some years back, and it sounds fine.  Seems to me that $30 and some
>good advice will get you the right mouthpiece, and that's 90% of the
>battle right there.
>

Yup, but I also think you have the best "production" horn around . I
have a Benge and was going to get a used Bach, but am holding out for a
Monette now. The horn can make a difference with me. I played a Shilke
Eb/D and found it to be a joy to play, whereas the Holton Eb/D that I
played stunk - out of tune, stuffy, etc.

>One thing I've always appreciated about trumpet players as opposed to
>sax players (one of many things :-)) is that trumpet players aren't
>usually the "equipment hounds" that sax players are.  My tenor-playing
>friends are always checking serial numbers to see whose Selmer is
>older; trumpet players usual don't seem to care as much.
>
>Joe Hellerstein
>

I think one thing we all need to remember is that the goal is to make
music, and try not to get too hung up on equipment, etc. Making music is
what it is all about.

________________________________________________________________________
Tony Goodloe		    Voice Mail:		            205/730-6123
Senior System Engineer	    Email:    ...uunet!ingr!b11!birdland!goodloe
Intergraph Corp.		           goodloe@birdland.b11.ingr.com
			    snail mail: 		Mail Stop CR1105
						  Intergraph Corporation
					       Huntsville, AL 35894-0001
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There are only twelve notes. You must treat them carefully.

                - Paul Hindemith
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