What's the deal with Monette?

[NerdyTubaGuy]

I'm just wondering, what's the big deal about monette mouthpieces? I mean are they really worth the $350?

[Donn]

Worth it to whom? If you're asking whether it would be worth it to you, you probably have to add some information about where you're at with the tuba.

[NerdyTubaGuy]

I've been playing the tuba for quite some time now and have only used two mouthpieces, a PT-50 and a marcinkiewicz rose model. I'm a soloist and I play in a band. I'm unhappy with how the rose model responds in some registers and the PT-50 was given away. I'm looking for a new mouthpiece and the name Monette keeps coming up, so I was just wondering if I can spend half the money and get the same quality mouthpiece.

[Donn]

I'm looking for a new mouthpiece and the name Monette keeps coming up, so I was just wondering if I can spend half the money and get the same quality mouthpiece.

There's only so much "quality" anyone can fit into a tuba mouthpiece. I think from a practical point of view, answering the question `should I start my search for a new mouthpiece by trying out the really expensive ones, on the theory that they will work better for me?', I would say no. You have to find a mouthpiece that works for you, not someone else, which is more about individual playing parameters than quality.

(I think many people here would advise you in fact to not get any new mouthpiece, but rather stick with your old one and not blame your problems on it. I personally like to try out mouthpieces myself to see what works, but of course there's some merit in this perspective.)

[Alex C]

Mouthpieces are funny. Sometimes one particular mouthpiece seems to work right for me in a particular horn. I picked up a Monette used just to try it out and shazam! it worked great.

Unfortunately, I lost it on an airplane trip. I bought another Monette and it didn't work at all. It was the Prana (Prana/Prada, it didn't work), not quite the same model but I couldn't use it at all. Took me a year (and a lot of $) to find another mouthpiece that worked. I still wish I had the old Monette back.

So, if you get a chance to try out a Monette, and it really works for you... yes, it will abosolutely be worth the money.

You might try looking for a used one. You'll also get a chance to try out it out before you shell out the money.

[Rochester2013]

As someone mentioned, sometimes a mouthpiece will fit with a particular horn or player.

I play on the G&W Alan Baer (MMVI) and prefer it to a Monette (or at least the one I have tried), and paid about $200 less for it.

[Bill Troiano]

I spent a little time time trying a Monette that my son borrowed. To me, it felt very much like my G&W Baer MMVI. I'm not one for mouthpiece specs, so I really don't know how they actually compare in that dept. The low register did speak a little quicker with the Monette though. If I was looking for another mouthpiece that felt like my G&W, but had a quicker responding low register, I think I would search further before spending $350. on a Monette. Just my 2 cents.

[The Jackson]

A mouthpiece (or anything else) is "worth" what someone will pay for it.

I think that good advice for a developing player (what I am) is to definitely not get wrapped up in mouthpieces, stick with what you got (or what your teacher directs you with) and try out all the mouthpieces you can. There are a truckload of mouthpiece models out there and you can gain knowledge by play testing them, and that never hurt anyone.

[Rick Denney]

Alex is right. One could easily spend $350 in other mouthpieces searching for the right one, only to find that they might have gotten there in one step with the Monette. But it is just as likely that a $50 Conn Helleberg has the magic needed for a particular instrument and player.

After paying thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, for a tuba, another few hundred for a mouthpiece is small change if that is the mouthpiece that makes it all work. Apparently, enough people think the Monette worth it that Monette finds it unnecessary to lower his price to meet his sales goals.

Rick "who has spent a great deal on mouthpieces in search of the right one" Denney

[circusboy]

I bought another Monette and it didn't work at all. It was the Prada, not quite the same model but I couldn't use it at all.

I believe that would be "Prana," sanskrit for "breath," but given the price, "Prada" might be a more appropriate name.

[ZNC Dandy]

I played first generation Monette 98 on my Alexander when I had it, damn I miss that tuba...but it was a perfect fit for me and that instrument. Always wanted to try a Monette 99 on it as well. So in my case certainly worth the money, especially since I made it back with an orchestra sub job the next week.

[MichaelDenney]

My experience with a Monette is similar to Alex's. I bought one used, and it made a horn with good intonation on other mouthpieces (including the designer's) almost perfect.

However, like many people I want good value for a dollar, so I would be unlikely to pay the new price for a Monette even considering the outstanding results. Pristine used all the way for me.

[tubarex]

My Monette is a 94, and I was happy to pay the price when I bought it (mid 90's?) primarily for symphony and opera orchestra. It really saved me, dealing with MS and the loss of strength. I was able to keep playing with a lower energy output. (I was using it on a Mirafone 186 5u CC.) I don't use the Monette much any more, getting equal or better results with the R and S TU-HH with the heavy wall. These are odd-looking mouthpieces but work great for me. (now playing a Gnagey 5V CC) I bought the smaller R & S TU-HHII (heavy wall) to use with my small horn (MW2040) I should probably sell the Monette.