Monette B2S3 vs B6S1

[Bryant Jordan]

Hi everyone. So I recently acquired a B2S3 and B6S1. Both pieces are fantastic, and provide me with a beautiful sound, great flexibility and resonance. The thing is, the B2S3 decreases my endurance. The rim is also less comfortable than the B6S1. The B6S1 on the other hand, provides me with greater endurance, but I loose the huge sound I get with the B2S3. The rim is comfortable, but I could use something a tad smaller and with a bigger cup. I've had a B3FS7 in the past, which was fantastic, although the rim was a little sharper. I'm thinking of trying a B3S3 or a B4S3, and hopefully that'll be the medium I need. Any recommendations or suggestions along the Monette line? It's a more expensive safari, so I though't I'd ask before I buy. Thanks.

Bryant

[kevin_soda]

I've had a few Monette mouthpieces over the years and I've enjoyed them all for different reasons. The trade off you're talking about sounds perfectly logical. I have a B4S3, C4S3, and B4S S2. The B4S3 is a fantastic piece. It's about the size of a Bach 2c but of course with the Monette tweaks. It's a great all around mouthpiece. It works great for me.
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Kevin

[MarkZ]

Have you called the shop? Jason is great for mouthpiece consultation, even if only by phone. However, there are no returns when buying direct. Mike Thompson allows returns. Outside the people at the Monette shop, he might be the most knowledgeable person in the country about Monette gear.

I did a shop visit when I was playing a classic B3FS7. Dave suggested I try a Prana B2S3. Huge improvement in tone! I was skeptical about playing a larger piece and the possible effect on endurance but there wasn't any loss over time. I added a Prana B2LS3 in an LT blank, bought used, for a little more "sizzle" playing in a big band.
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Monette LTJ Bb
Getzen Severinsen Bb
Kanstul 1500 Bb
Kanstul 1525 flugel
Monette Prana B2S3, B2FL, B2LS3
Monette Prana FLG2

[Norman]

I used the B2S3 to practice for a few years, but could never use it in any performance. The sound is fantastic, but it is big and requires near perfect technique and efficiency to be played successfully. I ended playing the B6 size in the end.

Yes, the B4 size might be a mid way compromise, but it might still be too big. My suggestion is to stick with the B6S1 if it is comfortable for you and work to develop the best possible sound with it. I don't think that any audience would really notice the difference in sound between such similar sizes, while it will certainly notice if you're playing with less effort and more endurance!

The good thing about Monette mouthpieces is that they sound so good! Even the lead mouthpieces have a great sound. Just look for what gives you the most comfortable playing feeling.
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"Don't play like a trumpeter, play like a singer!" Andrea Giuffredi
Taylor Chicago X-Lite
AR Resonance MC 40/8 Mouthpiece

[Trumpetingbynurture]

[Danbassin]

There seem to be at least two different issues here:

1) The rim contour;
2) The rim diameter.

The preference for the 'bigger' sound that a larger-diameter mouthpiece can give you can make playing one with a narrower diameter frustrating, yet the comfort factor of the B6 rim over that of the B2 speaks to the issue of contour. The B2 has a somewhat rounded profile, but then there is what I would describe as a medium-sharp 'bite' as it enters the cup. The B6 rim is quite round in contour, both as the player's lips engage the mouthpiece rim, and as the rim turns into the cup.

I play Monette 1-1 series mouthpieces which have a VERY round contour, almost disguising how large the effective rim diameter is, when measured from the 'high point' (where the lips engage the mouthpiece). Since 1-1s are very large, specialized mouthpieces, and also since I believe that Monette mouthpieces have extended my engagement with music, I've tried out several smaller-sized mouthpieces for applications such as Piccolo Trumpet playing and Big Band Lead gigs.
My experience with the B2 rim is that it is at first comfortable, but not quite small enough for an effective specialist mouthpiece for me, and that 'bite' into the large cup was similarly uncomfortable for me, as I am accustomed to a uniquely round rim. Further, I had a BP6S1 mouthpiece for a period of time, as I was trying to work up the Brandenburg, but I ultimately felt that I was trying to 'squeeze' into a mouthpiece a few sizes too small for me...even though I found the rim contour comfortable.

So, insofar as my personal experience going on mouthpiece safari for a smaller mouthpiece for specialized work can help you, I would like to say how much I've enjoyed the B4LDS1 mouthpiece as a perfect compromise between the not-too small concern I had, as well as the not-too sharp concern I think we share with the B2 rim contour.
Many people use the B4LDS1 as an all-round mouthpiece, since it's roughly comparable to a Bach 3C in cup depth (so it's not really THAT shallow), but it can also be looked upon as a specialist mouthpiece. The other B4 series mouthpieces offer a few different contours and slight variations in diameter - the B4S S2 is the modern 'Slap' upgrade over the previous B4S, which was modeled after Lew Soloff's Mt. Vernon (or NY?) 3C, which has a larger rim diameter than the modern 3C**. I believe the contour of the B4LDS1 is somewhat rounder than that of the B4S S2, and the B4S3 may share the same rim as the B4LDS1 - but that is worth following up with Jason or BJ at Monette, or Mike Thompson, as others have suggested.

Happy hunting, and I hope this helps!

*For those of you interested in a nice resource on the 3C/1.5C debacle, and some of the issues with using Bach sizing as a yardstick, Ivan Hunter's innovative 'one size fits most' mouthpiece approach sheds much light on this issue: http://www.jaegerbrass.com/products/mouthpieces.html

Best,

-Dan
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Daniel Bassin
Conductor/Composer/Trumpeter/Improviser/Educator
I play:
Monette - CORNETTE/PranaXLT-STC Bb/MC-35/Raja A Piccolo;
Kromat C-Piccolo; Thein G-Piccolo; Various antique horns
MPCs - Monette Unity 1-7D and DM4LD

[MarkZ]

[kevin_soda]

[Bryant Jordan]

Thank you all for each suggestion and insight. I've narrowed down my options, and also sent a message through Monette's website inquiring about suggestions for a medium between these two pieces. Thanks again everyone!

[Norman]

I agree that the LDS cup is a very nice compromise to balance the big throat and large backbore but still with a fairly "deep cup" sound.
_________________
"Don't play like a trumpeter, play like a singer!" Andrea Giuffredi
Taylor Chicago X-Lite
AR Resonance MC 40/8 Mouthpiece

[Jazz@heart]

Consider the B4S S2. Their version of the MV3C. Bigger than regular 3C with less bite. To me, much more comfortable than the B6S1.
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Listen

[Trumpetingbynurture]

Has anyone here played the C4S S2 (On C trumpet)? Just wondering how you found it.

That's the right diameter for me, but I haven't seen them mentioned much, only the larger sizes.

[Arjuna]

Call Jason custom work may be what you need.

[oxleyk]

I recently read that due to the high point location of the B2S3 rim it actually feels slightly smaller than the B4S S3 rim. Can anyone comment on this?

Kent

[kevin_soda]

[kevin_soda]

[Trumpetingbynurture]

Hi Kevin,

Ah okay, good to know.

I had worried about that possibility but that model is what the shop recommended when I said I wanted a piece for my C trumpet that's around or maybe a little larger than a bach 3C.

But they don't have any classic's made in the new resonance blank, so I'd have to wait for possibly several months. Sounds like the C4S3 might be the better way to go then. Handily, I believe they have got that model ready to ship.

Thanks!

[Bryant Jordan]

It’s now down to the B4S S2 and the B4S3. Which would be more suitable for all around playing? Main differences between the two? Thank you all again. I’m planning on ordering the piece as a Resonance Prana, just fyi.

[jaysonr]