OUR ALL-NEW PRANA 3 C TRUMPET! We've spent the last couple years working on a complete redesign of our PRANA 3 C trumpet, and we're excited to say it's finally ready for prime time! Dave Monette designed an all-new leadpipe mandrel for the instrument and the results are quite startling, as can be heard on the video demo by Dave Bamonte. The new pipe combined with our new valve casing and tuning slide design make this instrument the perfect choice for players used to our older large bell C trumpets, or for players looking for all the advantages of our large bell, heavier instruments but with the intimacy and soft response of our smaller C's. Thanks to Dave Bamonte for coming in and helping us make the video demo, and for Professor Jim Lambrecht for inspiring a new design! Below is Jim's description of his new horn about a month into using it.

My New Prana 3 C Trumpet
By Jim Lambrecht

I recently took delivery of the new design Monette Prana 3 C trumpet. I've known Dave since 1982 and have been a Monette client exclusively since 1984. Each next generation improvement in his instruments and mouthpieces have brought nothing but sheer joy to my world of trumpet playing!

The new Prana 3 C Trumpet is nothing short of the most fantastic instrument I have ever played - period! I received the instrument on a Thursday and immediately played it in rehearsal and my usual Easter gig two days later.

As soon as I began to play, I had to stop and like a little child, I just began to laugh. It was the scene in the movie "Field of Dreams," when James Earl Jones' character walks out into the corn field and sees heaven or something, and begins to laugh. Playing this horn is like being heaven - everything works! There are simply no worries.

From the beginning, the response is lightning fast. The horn is fabulously responsive at all dynamics and in every range on the horn. I'm playing a Prana STC 3 C11S1 84 mouthpiece on it, and I can play effortless high F's and G's - and I'm no Maynard, Wynton or Adam! The targets are so huge, it's like standing in front of a barn and trying to hit it with a beach ball. You simply cannot miss. The sound of the horn is as diverse as you can make it, from velvety chocolate to monster projection. I could easily blend with any section, knowing full well that I can step on the gas and bury everyone if I wanted. On the Easter gig, the sound coming back in the cathedral was always led by the Prana 3. I love it!

As always, thank you Dave and staff for building the best instruments on the planet, and also for never stopping in your search for something better! We can make more music because of you!

Dr. James Lambrecht, Director of Bands
Professor of Trumpet
Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.