The sound similarities speak for themselves, Eric. Can you give us some notes on the playability of each horn--efficiency, intonation, feedback to the player, openness, etc.?
These two horns felt very close in comparison. The Thane Performance in this video is the 37 bell, which has a ML feel to it. The Chicago Monette’s bell seemed to be a similar size. Efficiency: For some reason, I struggled to play the Monette for more than 2 hours at a time. After 2 hours, the horn would choke up on me. I think it might be because the horn had a slightly tighter blow than the Thane. This was one of the main reasons for selling the Monette. Within the first 2 hours of playing though, both horns felt very efficient and my playing was consistent. The Thane was just easier to play for longer periods of time. Intonation: Both horns were fantastic. You wouldn’t be unhappy with either. There weren’t any notes that needed to be uncomfortably adjusted to be in tune. Feedback: I want to say that it’s also about the same with both horns. They both had a brighter tone with great projection. I’d maybe give the edge slightly to the Thane, just because it was a bit more open so it allowed you to get a powerful sound easier. Openness: Very close again. I think the Monette was slightly tighter, but it wasn’t something I’d notice until hours of playing the two side by side. Both horns were very comfortable to play at the start of the day. Like I said, the Monette didn’t seem to work for me after 2 hours…so eventually the tightness of the horn would catch up to me. Ergonomics: Here’s another main reason I sold the Monette. This horn felt like it was made for someone with tiny hands. The 3rd slide ring was very close to the valve block, and it was too small to fit my finger into. The wrap on the horn also felt narrow, so I couldn’t comfortably hold the horn. It was a bit annoying. The Thane is a more modern feeling instrument. The ergonomics on Thane are leaps ahead of this Monette model. I’d be interested to see if the MB-111 addresses some of the issues I had with this Chicago Monette. Still, with the MB-111 being almost $10,000…I can’t imagine it’s worth investing in over a Thane trumpet that will perform the same or better.
@@ericmpena Very helpful.. You've written elsewhere that your Thane has conventional valves (non-MAW, to be specific) so the comparison there is apples-to-apples. I notice that you don't use a pivot, either, which is the preferred playing position for Monette instruments. Great information, thanks again.
@@gregorysolman7404 I go back and forth between MAW pistons, but only on my newest Thane with the large, gold brass bell. In this video comparing the 37 Thane to the Chicago Monette, the Thane was using standard pistons. MAW pistons are still a weird thing for me. I like them sometimes, and then other times I prefer the standard pistons. There’s no clear better choice when it comes to the pistons. It’s largely a personal preference choice.
Usually I play identical examples with each horn, but for this video I wanted to try playing straight through a song while alternating horns in the process, that way viewers only have to watch the video once rather than skipping back and forth to compare the horns.
The sound similarities speak for themselves, Eric. Can you give us some notes on the playability of each horn--efficiency, intonation, feedback to the player, openness, etc.?
These two horns felt very close in comparison.
The Thane Performance in this video is the 37 bell, which has a ML feel to it.
The Chicago Monette’s bell seemed to be a similar size.
Efficiency: For some reason, I struggled to play the Monette for more than 2 hours at a time. After 2 hours, the horn would choke up on me. I think it might be because the horn had a slightly tighter blow than the Thane. This was one of the main reasons for selling the Monette.
Within the first 2 hours of playing though, both horns felt very efficient and my playing was consistent. The Thane was just easier to play for longer periods of time.
Intonation: Both horns were fantastic. You wouldn’t be unhappy with either. There weren’t any notes that needed to be uncomfortably adjusted to be in tune.
Feedback: I want to say that it’s also about the same with both horns. They both had a brighter tone with great projection. I’d maybe give the edge slightly to the Thane, just because it was a bit more open so it allowed you to get a powerful sound easier.
Openness: Very close again. I think the Monette was slightly tighter, but it wasn’t something I’d notice until hours of playing the two side by side. Both horns were very comfortable to play at the start of the day. Like I said, the Monette didn’t seem to work for me after 2 hours…so eventually the tightness of the horn would catch up to me.
Ergonomics: Here’s another main reason I sold the Monette. This horn felt like it was made for someone with tiny hands. The 3rd slide ring was very close to the valve block, and it was too small to fit my finger into. The wrap on the horn also felt narrow, so I couldn’t comfortably hold the horn. It was a bit annoying. The Thane is a more modern feeling instrument. The ergonomics on Thane are leaps ahead of this Monette model.
I’d be interested to see if the MB-111 addresses some of the issues I had with this Chicago Monette.
Still, with the MB-111 being almost $10,000…I can’t imagine it’s worth investing in over a Thane trumpet that will perform the same or better.
@@ericmpena Very helpful.. You've written elsewhere that your Thane has conventional valves (non-MAW, to be specific) so the comparison there is apples-to-apples. I notice that you don't use a pivot, either, which is the preferred playing position for Monette instruments. Great information, thanks again.
@@gregorysolman7404 I go back and forth between MAW pistons, but only on my newest Thane with the large, gold brass bell.
In this video comparing the 37 Thane to the Chicago Monette, the Thane was using standard pistons.
MAW pistons are still a weird thing for me. I like them sometimes, and then other times I prefer the standard pistons. There’s no clear better choice when it comes to the pistons. It’s largely a personal preference choice.
Nice but would be good to play the exact same piece on both horns
Usually I play identical examples with each horn, but for this video I wanted to try playing straight through a song while alternating horns in the process, that way viewers only have to watch the video once rather than skipping back and forth to compare the horns.
Did you use a monette mpc with the monette Chicago ?
No, I used my Austin Custom Brass mouthpiece. The size is 0B, similar to a 1.25B
Is that a new mb-111 monette ?
No, this Chicago Monette is from 1985.