Instruments
Monette #1805
Coming soon!
Getzen B/C Trumpet
I’m not sure when Getzen officially started making C trumpets, but I’m incredibly lucky to have this early prototype from the mid-1960s on an extended loan from a very, very generous friend. It’s the best non-Monette C trumpet I’ve ever played and has a longer slide that puts it in B-natural (in case I ever have to play the Hummel Concerto!).
Monette Chicago Bb Trumpet
This is a very early Monette B-flat trumpet with a serial number in the mid-100s. It was updated with a heavier mouthpiece receiver and valve caps, as well as a new tuning slide. Most of my playing is on C trumpet, but I’m incredibly thankful to have such a fantastic Bb when I need it.
The “Charlie” D
I’d heard rumors that Charlie Schlueter made trumpets in his basement, so when I got my first Monette C trumpet, I brought him my Bach 229 and asked him to make something useful out of it. At first he wanted to make it into a lamp, but we settled on the best D trumpet I’ve ever owned.
Benchmark Piccolo Trumpet (#007)
In a previous life, I owned a Schilke P5-4. It got me through 3 (maybe 4?) Brandenburg 2s, my first Carnegie Hall gig, and no less than one million Trumpet Voluntaries. But, a few years ago I took a chance on a new maker—Benchmark. This horn is modeled after the P5-4, but plays better in tune and sounds more like a real trumpet. The fact that it’s serial number 007 just makes it cooler, and more dangerous!
Monette Raja Unity Flumpet (RUF)
Delivered in December 2023, this instrument is the very first Unity Flumpet and the best instrument I have ever played.
Monette Mouthpieces
I started playing Monette mouthpieces in the mid-90s. I began on a B2 but eventually found the B1-2 was a better fit for me. That was in 2000 and I haven’t changed since, except when they’ve come out with improved versions (Prana, Slap, Resonance, etc). They are expensive but worth every penny. For students and those new to Monette mouthpieces, I highly recommend their Tradition Plus line of mouthpieces.