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CJceltics33 Veteran Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2017 Posts: 475
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 11:25 am Post subject: Thinking about a Prana |
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I have been playing Monette for about a year now and I am thinking about upgrading to a Prana. I checked a few stores and none seem to have the size I am looking for (B3S3). Id prefer to try it before I buy it. Any suggestions?
Also, what can I expect to be different with the Prana? |
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TKSop Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2014 Posts: 1735 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't necessarily view it as an "upgrade" - for some players, on some horns, it'll feel great whilst for other players on other horns it just won't produce the desired results.
As always with a mouthpiece change, ask yourself "what am I looking to achieve, here?"
Is there something about your current piece that you don't like, or would like to improve on?
If your current Monette is working great, is there any need to change it?
Is the marketing convincing to you?
Will you be satisfied with going back to your current piece if it turns out not to work as well for you?
It's very easy to chase magic bullets - if you're making good progress with what you're using, I'd be tempted to stick with it, it's not a change that can't be made at a later date. |
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WoodsysMusic Regular Member
Joined: 24 Oct 2017 Posts: 16 Location: Kent, OH
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TKSop Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2014 Posts: 1735 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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I bet a few places have the popular B2S3... but OP mentioned the less common B3S3? |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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First, I love my Prana MP.
But...I have always played Prana MPs but never a non Prana Monette. I suspect the difference is subtle, and you would only notice that difference if you had played on the other for a good bit of time. Now...if the subtleness is better or worse...that's a judgement call. _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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kevin_soda Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 558 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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When I was playing a Classic XLT B4S S2, I bought a Prana LT B4LD S1 81 for "lead" playing. I liked it at first but I wasn't efficient enough to play it longterm. I sold it and continued on. As I got better I explored other Monettes and eventually got up the courage to try Prana again. This time was a different story. I love the sound. I now play a Prana Resonance STC B4S S2 and Prana Resonance LT B4LD S1.
The Classic line has an edginess to the sound that makes them cut and project but the Prana has a denser, more complex sound without sacrificing power. They're definitely not for everyone, every horn, every playing environment but I'm glad to have given it another shot. _________________ Kevin |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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kevin_soda wrote: | When I was playing a Classic XLT B4S S2, I bought a Prana LT B4LD S1 81 for "lead" playing. I liked it at first but I wasn't efficient enough to play it longterm. I sold it and continued on. As I got better I explored other Monettes and eventually got up the courage to try Prana again. This time was a different story. I love the sound. I now play a Prana Resonance STC B4S S2 and Prana Resonance LT B4LD S1.
The Classic line has an edginess to the sound that makes them cut and project but the Prana has a denser, more complex sound without sacrificing power. They're definitely not for everyone, every horn, every playing environment but I'm glad to have given it another shot. |
Thank you for this, Kevin. Maybe I'll try a non prana if I can get my hands on one that is my size. I agree with the Prana sounding more complex, and dense. _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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chapahi Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 1465 Location: Stuttgart, Germany
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 12:25 am Post subject: Re: Thinking about a Prana |
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CJceltics33 wrote: |
Also, what can I expect to be different with the Prana? |
I played a B2 for a while then got the B2 Prana. There's a big difference. The Prana is bigger sounding, more colorful and freer blowing. The standard B2 was still useful after getting the Prana because it's easier to handle. _________________ Sima, Kanstul 1525 Flugel and Kanstul pocket trumpet. Olds Super |
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WoodsysMusic Regular Member
Joined: 24 Oct 2017 Posts: 16 Location: Kent, OH
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:31 am Post subject: |
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TKSop wrote: | I bet a few places have the popular B2S3... but OP mentioned the less common B3S3? |
Ah, I read that too fast Thanks for pointing that out!
We just sold our B3S3 Prana 2 weeks ago. I think we may have another on the way though... _________________ Armond Luckey
Woodsy's Music
Kent, OH
330-673-1525
www.woodsysmusic.com
banddept@woodsys.com |
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RussellDDixon Heavyweight Member
Joined: 04 Apr 2014 Posts: 832 Location: Mason, OH
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:52 am Post subject: |
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Larger throat, back-bore is thinner at the end. Tone is livelier than a Classic. As the blow is far more open, it takes more air and some have stated that this might have an effect on endurance. I agree with Dave Monette's description in that the there are more tonal variations (not as dead) as the Classic. I own both Classic and Prana pieces. I can "lean on" the Classic more because of the increased resistance afforded by the smaller throat. I prefer the Prana sound. I'd love to have a Prana BL5; however, no one seems to have it in stock and the current wait time to have a piece made by Monette is up to 12 weeks.
I have owned many Prana pieces over the years and presently own the Monette Prana Lynn Nicholson in an XLT blank and the Monette Classic BL5 in an XLT blank. Hope this helps. _________________ Schilke X3 Bb trumpet
Yamaha 631g Flugelhorn
Nicholson Monette Prana Resonance LT mouthpiece
Kanstul Claude Gordon Personal mouthpiece |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Looks like eBay has a couple for sale. Go get em! _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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RussellDDixon Heavyweight Member
Joined: 04 Apr 2014 Posts: 832 Location: Mason, OH
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 10:31 am Post subject: |
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Slaw ... no BL5 Prana on eBay; however, I am in the hunt for one in an XLT blank _________________ Schilke X3 Bb trumpet
Yamaha 631g Flugelhorn
Nicholson Monette Prana Resonance LT mouthpiece
Kanstul Claude Gordon Personal mouthpiece |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 10:36 am Post subject: |
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Sorry Russell, meant to say a B3S3 on Ebay. I've been really tempted to get the B6LV since I play B6 sizes, but the wait......sigh.
What's the difference between the L being before or after the second number? _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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Brad361 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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When I was using Monette mouthpieces, I was playing a BL XLT. Tried the same in Prana, for me it worked fine on my Benge 3X+, not so much on my Wild Thing. Maybe the larger throat in combination with the WT large bore and bell was just too open. For me.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Brad361 wrote: | When I was using Monette mouthpieces, I was playing a BL XLT. Tried the same in Prana, for me it worked fine on my Benge 3X+, not so much on my Wild Thing. Maybe the larger throat in combination with the WT large bore and bell was just too open. For me.
Brad |
Aloha, Brad
Did you try using (or have) one of the smaller tuning slides (maybe the #2) for the WT? Curious if that might have helped. _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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Brad361 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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theslawdawg wrote: | Brad361 wrote: | When I was using Monette mouthpieces, I was playing a BL XLT. Tried the same in Prana, for me it worked fine on my Benge 3X+, not so much on my Wild Thing. Maybe the larger throat in combination with the WT large bore and bell was just too open. For me.
Brad |
Aloha, Brad
Did you try using (or have) one of the smaller tuning slides (maybe the #2) for the WT? Curious if that might have helped. |
Actually, I do have all but the smallest tuning slides, both braced and “J.” I’m not really saying the Prana didn’t work, it just worked better on the Benge.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Brad361 wrote: | theslawdawg wrote: | Brad361 wrote: | When I was using Monette mouthpieces, I was playing a BL XLT. Tried the same in Prana, for me it worked fine on my Benge 3X+, not so much on my Wild Thing. Maybe the larger throat in combination with the WT large bore and bell was just too open. For me.
Brad |
Aloha, Brad
Did you try using (or have) one of the smaller tuning slides (maybe the #2) for the WT? Curious if that might have helped. |
Actually, I do have all but the smallest tuning slides, both braced and “J.” I’m not really saying the Prana didn’t work, it just worked better on the Benge.
Brad |
Got it.
I'm embarrassed to say I've never tried any other tuning slide. The #1 has been on there fo-evah.
Mahalo... _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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trumpetchops Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 2644
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Thinking about a Prana |
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CJceltics33 wrote: |
Also, what can I expect to be different with the Prana? |
A little less resistance. The tuning will be better. You might have to pull the main slide until you get used to it.
I find that I play a little louder than I want to in the soft sections. I don't hear it when I play but, I hear it when I listen to recordings. If you can work with it, you should last longer because you don't have to push things. _________________ Joe Spitzer
Monroe Ct. |
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theslawdawg Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 843 Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 7:09 am Post subject: |
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Okay, now I'm going to try a non Prana. Thanks alot people. _________________ My go-to Trumpet and Flugel: Thane.
Greg Black MPs |
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Brad361 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
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Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2019 5:26 am Post subject: |
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theslawdawg wrote: | Brad361 wrote: | theslawdawg wrote: | Brad361 wrote: | When I was using Monette mouthpieces, I was playing a BL XLT. Tried the same in Prana, for me it worked fine on my Benge 3X+, not so much on my Wild Thing. Maybe the larger throat in combination with the WT large bore and bell was just too open. For me.
Brad |
Aloha, Brad
Did you try using (or have) one of the smaller tuning slides (maybe the #2) for the WT? Curious if that might have helped. |
Actually, I do have all but the smallest tuning slides, both braced and “J.” I’m not really saying the Prana didn’t work, it just worked better on the Benge.
Brad |
Got it.
I'm embarrassed to say I've never tried any other tuning slide. The #1 has been on there fo-evah.
Mahalo... |
Heck, I would not be embarrassed about that, if the 1 works, no real reason to try something else....though most of us trumpet gear head types usually do.😉
I guess if you did want to try something another size though, if Flip has any inventory left now might be the time to do it.
FWIW, I find the 1 to work best as well, though I happen to like the unbraced J1 version a bit better, that’s what I use these days.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval |
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