Instruments
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. It was featured on Monette’s Facebook page several times, including its first notes and their 2023 year end holiday video. (Photo of Dave Monette.)
Monette C997
This was my first ever Monette trumpet, delivered in Spring 2002. I sold it in late 2007 to fund the purchase of another instrument and almost immediately regretted it. Thankfully, a dear friend found it for sale again in early 2021 and I bought it back! It wasn’t in great shape when I got it back, but Monette did their magic and it returned it to me in late 2024 after a complete overhaul (including new valves, a new receiver, and a new Unity mouthpiece) and it plays better than ever! Check out this video of Jeff Snyder playing some Strauss on it right before they sent it back to me!
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 comes with a longer slide that puts it in B-natural (in case I ever have to play the Hummel Concerto!).
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.
Mendini Pocket Trumpet
This horn has traveled all over the world with me and remains, to this day, the best $75 I’ve ever spent!
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.
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!
ACB Doubler's Flugelhorn
I played this horn a ton before I got my Flumpet, and still use it for pit and section work. Austin Custom Brass makes some great horns, especially their “doublers” line.
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). I currently in the process of upgrading my collection to Monette’s new Unity line. For students and those new to Monette mouthpieces, I highly recommend their Tradition Plus line of mouthpieces.
Getzen Cornet
Coming soon!