Lotus vs Monette, Oh Boy! - Lotus Mouthpiece Comparison to Monette Resonance Mouthpiece

[@bjornlang3939]

I like number 1 because it sounds a little softer , a very nice ton!from a 85 year old man from Stockholm Sweden! Thanks !

[@ClassicalSongTracks]

I recently bought a Lotus mouthpiece after viewing this video. I never thought a mouthpiece could make such a difference! I am quite pleased with it.

[@giuliocarmassi]

I really dug the Lotus more in this comparison. Smoother, deeper, more balanced. I personally ended up going with the Harrelson modular setup, because it allowed me to fine tune to death exactly the size that worked for me and the shape that worked for me, with the capacity to interchange just about any aspect of the mouthpiece, in real time, at home. I can't imagine ever landing so close to the ideal place, by comparing 3-4 or even 10 mouthpieces. So many variables, and we're all so different.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Yes, you nailed it. Finding the right fit can take a while.

[@ruariwilson9696]

I'm not going to view any comments until I've made mine. So, you are a fine trumpeter and make a consistent, fine sound on both mouthpieces. The Monette has slightly more overtones to my ear - a tad more edge - hard to use the language - I think it has a touch more character and it's definitely more in tune when you play the higher register. Thank you so much for this comparison.

[@MrGiannimarinucci]

I actually really dig the Lotus. You sound great on both man, thanks for all you share with us!

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

It’s my pleasure!

[@sebthi7890]

Thank you for the presentation. From the first example on the second was my choice, because I like more a smother trumpet tone, the Monet is more aggressive. I can imagine that the smooth element in the tone can give more endurance and makes it more easy to hit the high tones.

[@popinmid]

Your sound is smoother, notes slot better, and your playing is more pleasing to my ears on the Lotus. Proper size or not, the Lotus sounds more centered and you sound more relaxed when playing the Lotus. For me, Lotus is the clear winner, in every regard. Now, if they only made trombone mouthpieces… (they say, 2023)

[@lukepine]

I would whole heartedly agree, it was very apparent in to may ears. Along with richer fuller tonal palette and you seemed to shade the tone more on the Lotus.

[@theimp5901]

I always enjoy your playing and your fine comments. Good analysis . I always compared mouthpieces to fingerprints , no two are alike, and no two people have the same throat cavity, lips and teeth arrangement . Hence a viable comparison. What say you young Chris ? IMHO - you sound better on the Lotus. But I play the 3C and most of my life on the 1 1/2 C.

[@degelepassant1186]

I really like the velvetty sounc of the Lotus so much more than the Monette ! Great comparison !!!

[@VictorSmith1953]

They sound different for sure. Which sounds best probably depends on the style of music being played. The Lotus sounds a bit brighter and seems to slot more securely. Thanks for the demo.

[@TrevorCockerson]

Releasing your knowledge for free is very admirable!!

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Thank you, Bob!

[@imersantiago7301]

You sound great on both! 🙌🏽 I own both a Monette B2S3 & a Lotus 12L. ❤️ then both…just depends on the day and gig, which I lean on. Great video! Thanks! 🙏🏽

[@mikeb9935]

The Lotus you used is a deeper cup than the Monette in the demo. The Monette sounded slightly brighter. They sounded relatively close but still not apples to apples. I have both Monette and Lotus mouthpieces in my collection.

[@jazzbonept]

I thought the Lotus sounded brighter; to my ears, the monette was overall fuller and especially shined in the lower range

[@jackfrost127]

What I’m hearing on my Sony stupid headphones, the monette mp just doesn’t have the overtones and liveliness to it. My biggest complaint about Dave’s equipment. Dare is say, too midwestern sound. Then again, I’m a massive Doc Sev fan, style and sound. So I’m not particularly found of dead dark sounds. Imo, the Lotus in this video wins hand’s down.

[@jazzbonept]

@@jackfrost127 I live in the Midwest, so not sure what you mean by Midwestern sound lol but imo, the Monette wins over any other trumpet equipment. The thing with brighter equipment is that they sound almost like toys (to my ears) and have a "fake" flimsy sound; good for projection, yes, but no body or full substance. I think Lotus is right on the border of too bright, which can be a preference for many players. When you hear a Monette live, it has a completeness "liveness" to the quality of sound, so I definitely wouldn't call it dead. One way I can attest to this is hearing Wynton live during the 2010s. His sound was pure resonance.

[@mattdavis5594]

Nice video. Nice recording setup. No idea what mic or input devices you are using but you're getting a recording at least it sounds nice on my macbook pro. To my ears they both are nice but I liked the Monette sound better at the top end. it'd been nice to have a Bach 3C in the mix for commparison uses. Also, what trumpet is that? I take it that it's a Bach, due to the case in the background. Thanks for making the video.

[@trickshotmasta9542]

Your articulation and tone is so much clearer on the Lotus for sure. You sound great on both though!!

[@Matraka2000]

I have monette resonance B6S1, and a unity b6 and that is the killer non only the sound but the endurance it provides. But by the way if you are tired, stressed or tense neither of them sound good. But I have seen and heard that lotus are killers…good video.

[@lschexnaider]

I am probably an outlier here since I play a pre-WWII silver Bundy/H&A Selmer cornet with a Dennis Wick Heritage 4b, but I like the Lotus, since it seems to have a darker tone.

[@stephenmurphy8833]

I think you sound great with either Chris! Are you playing the Getzen Eterna 900 Deluxe - the one you did a review of?

[@robertthomas7343]

You sound amazing ! Love your musical voice !

[@armandoperez4029]

The lotus sound more full bodied compared to the monette. You sound like you get around easier on the lotus. Like the comments said monette is brighter but still great sounding. I think that 2L is closer to your 1.5. Anywho...Lotus mouthpieces are awesome! I have 7 in my collection that I use on a daily basis. They're all size 3 rim. Great video by the way.

[@badddnote]

They are both nice sounding. It’s probably you that sounds nice. Honestly people will never remember “wow that guy really sounded great on the beginning of the gig” if you die at the end of it. If one mouthpiece is more work than the other and your chops fall apart at the end. That’s what they will remember. They will remember how you folded.

[@frankwcrespo]

That's funny, as the video was ending I thought to myself "he might sound better on a larger piece" -then you chimed in that you play on a 1-1/2. There are slight differences but neither one sounds bad. I wish I could get your opinion on how they felt, was the response different between the two, did the notes feel secure above the staff. Thanks for the download!

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

The Monette felt more secure. The Lotus felt more free blowing. Both felt secure above the staff but different. It’s really a personal preference. Thanks for watching the video!

[@musicnerd436]

I like the deeper warmer sound of mothpiece #2, it seems like its easier to play high notes on the lotus as well

[@natenallmusic]

It seems like mouthpiece one has more options for colors in the sound, option two is very centered in the pitch and has a broad sound but with less variation. Personally as an improvising trumpet player, I like mouthpieces that allow for the biggest change in color that I’m hearing in my head.

[@hermanjimenez]

I know I'm all late on this since you uploaded this 18 months ago and I'm just seeing this now. Now I think I'm gonna go outside of the box a little here. You sound great on both of those mp's. The Lotus clearly has the darker, fuller sound, while the Monette has the brighter, cut right through the band sound. So it really comes down to what your preference is. Hypothetically speaking, if I owned both, I personally would use the Lotus on a classical or small combo (where I'm the only trumpet player) gig and the Monette on a big band or pop/ rock gig.

[@louisthompson1020]

I enjoyed the Monette sound the best.

[@brianmorrison7542]

Great video.. I like the Lotus for the slotting...sounds like more midrange comes out also.. Bless you and yours as well! Bri

[@gilramos957]

I owned 2 different Monette MP'S. I never heard of the Lotus. The Monette has a,brighter sound, but I do loke the smoother sound on the Lotus. Nbr 2 would be my pick.

[@gilramos957]

I actually ended up giving them both c away to a family member. I now use the versatile Harrelson Spectratone Yellow and Blue which in mins can be changed to sound like 99% of mouthpieces on the market. Or as you said, I can change rim, throat and backbore to make it comfortable for me in every register.

[@wayvj]

Thanks!

[@OsvaldoRuiz-zs8xr]

The ballad @ minute 5:29 is a standard, what is the title please?

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

When Sunny Gets Blue

[@gregorysloat4258]

I like the sound of the Lotus better, but that’s so subjective, plus they aren’t even the right size for you, so you might (probably?) sound a little different if you used the correct size. I don’t understand how people can test mouthpieces that are a different rim size from what they play. Cup size, yes, but rim size? I play on a Bach 1 rim size. I bought a Bach 3 rim size for comparison, and it’s very hard to play because it feels much too small. I can vary cup depths, but the rim size has to be consistent for me. P.S. I forgot that I had already commented four months ago. It’s nice to know that I still picked the same mouthpiece that I thought sounded better (the Lotus).

[@paulgrimm]

I have a Monette B4SS2.It’s based of the MV Bach C 3.The gold is too slippery for me.Heard good tings about the Lotus.

[@MikeM91320]

Hey Chris - I just watched this video for first time. The Lotus MP seemed to have a brighter sound and allowed for greater range (?). Good timing as I have been considering a Lotus MP myself. I assume the Monette MP's are much more expensive?

[@rubenproost2552]

Yeah, they are like twice as much.

[@newunderthesun7353]

You have to get the new Unity for a demo, it's a world apart in my opinion. And you need to match the rim and depth when comparing to Lotus.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

How does the Unity compare to the Prana? Close? The same?

[@newunderthesun7353]

@@ChrisDavisTrumpet I regard the other Monette mouthpieces as "version" changes to the prior mouthpiece, or an update to the previous version. The Unity is not an updated mouthpiece, it is a whole new world, a complete redesign in my opinion. And the new '7' rim is a further refinement. Keep in mind I'm an older player that did not start playing until a few years ago, but everything I could do on a Prana, I can do twice as easily on the Unity. Notes I could 'hit' before, can now be played through an entire phrase. It is effortless playing. I describe it as feeling like there is no mouthpiece at all, and you just 'think' the notes out of the horn, and then they fly out. I'm glad I was not able to afford the Unity when it first came out, because the new 7 series rim is a lot more comfortable.

[@xavitrompeta]

I just ordered the new unity "7" rim!! So exited

[@kevin_soda]

Both sound great!

[@da11king]

Monette is obviously brighter which I prefer in some instances. Perhaps it's because of its throat size.

[@selpingos]

i tried a Lotus at Thomann coz j saw all the hype on KZbin.Initial thoughts were that it lacked core and sounded light.I play a Monette B2S3

[@samneverleft10]

Sounded like you were more familiar with the lotus, no?

[@RobertLiakos]

the first sounds more open , good sound. the second sounds more precise and condensed. fine tuned

[@anthonydesantis8557]

Idk if you can help but I got a lotus 2L coming from a Bach 3C and for some reason notes above like third space C don’t even come out on the 2L, on the 3c their perfectly fine though

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Can’t say why that’s happening. It shouldn’t happen. However I can say that you don’t need to work as hard on Lotus. Try taking it easy. See what happens. Part me know.

[@anthonydesantis8557]

@@ChrisDavisTrumpet today I practiced with just the lotus without using my Bach and it wasn’t awful, maybe switching from the two before was messing with me but I can tell that it’s not exact to when I played on my Bach. Over this week I’ll play on the lotus in hopes to get used to it

[@JordanScanlon]

@@anthonydesantis8557 how has it been so far?

[@anthonydesantis8557]

@@JordanScanlon it’s been pretty good, I took a bit off of trumpet and when I came back it was clear as day. Not sure what happened but it’s working great

[@alexandercalder2143]

Monette sounds brassy-er to my ears, in a very good way. Thoughts?

[@steff25]

For Me? That Already Own The Monette B6S1.. It's definately The Lotus.. Next Time!... Thank You! For a marvellous Listening!.. and Video!..!

[@nazzytrump2588]

Hello master Chris ☺️ How can I purchase One for My safe 🙏😌😌😌

[@richtraube2241]

You sound better on the Lotus. Notes within phrases are more connected. The articulation is smoother. It also sounds like you could give the Lotus more gas and the piece would give you more sound where the Monette was already giving all it had to give, if that makes sense.

[@IA-yi3zy]

The lotus sounds like it'd be great for that commercial type trumpet sound

[@psander78]

I've been playing on the Lotus 2M N for about a month now. As others have stated, it's easily the best mouthpiece I've ever played on. Sounds great/in tune, feels like a shorter distance between notes, I love it!

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

That nickel is a great metal. I enjoy it too.

[@ISuperTed]

I have a 2M on order in Nickel - they’re hard to get in UK. Hopefully here next week. Looking forward to trying it out!

[@williamzermeno2552]

I have both of these same mouthpieces, I prefer the lotus a little more.

[@nazzytrump2588]

How can I get One 🤔🤔🤔🤔I need too purchase for One

[@MrCrescendo]

The Lotus sounds better. I've been playing Lotus 3xL for a few months now and it's the best MP I've ever had.

[@Enryu_uyrnE]

I disagree. The only time the lotus sounded better, was in the very first example. Every other time it sounded too bright. Now if that’s what you’re going for 👍

[@JKGTrumpet]

It’s hard to say. I have so many different things to say, but I would pay to hear you play on either. I will say it sounds like you can manipulate the sound that you want easier on the Lotus.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Great observations! 😊

[@jazzerfred]

Agreed! Both sound fantastic, you sound at home on the Lotus to me

[@robertthomas7343]

2M comes in a choice of metallurgy. Brass, Bronze, or Nickel Silver . Your 2M does not sound to be Nickel Silver.

[@geeharrenback5248]

Hi I just watched your video today The Lotus has a better sound than the monette. Although they are both great mouthpiece known for lead playing, but they still have difference on their tone, brightness, and color or sound

[@TheBigGameTheoryHDx]

Mouthpiece one was a bit better in tune for my ears. Mouthpiece 2 has better articulation depends one what you wanna live with wouldnt say one is better than the other.

[@pwdempsey02]

Intonation on the Lotus was far better. The overtones were not very favorable though, I thought the Monette had better quality of sound especially in the high register. The lotus sounds too wispy up there. Probably can't go wrong with either.

[@T-Slider]

You sound better on the Lotus. You’re working too hard on the Monette.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Very good observation.

[@Rowuk2024]

Two different worlds. I sort of like both. They do NOT sound like the same size or cup depth. The darker sounding one (Lotus) sounds like you are more familiar with it. I do see you raising your shoulders when playing high - that is poison for the Monette pitch Center.

[@lou9294]

The monette has a brighter and crisp sound

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

I thought so too. Makes me wonder about the metals under the plating.

[@МихаилМеренков-у8х]

Замечательно..., спасибо за обзор!!, но пробовать нужно самому...👍👍🎺🎺🎺

[@RobertLiakos]

first sounds more open second sounds more condensed and precise

[@mikeb9935]

Those of you looking to buy; Lotus has an exchange policy if your choice doesn't work well and cost less than Monette. Monette won't exchange if your size choice don't work well. Been there done that.

[@shophar]

I like 2 every time

[@tomchojnowski9215]

Even though I really don't like Lotus mouthpieces (my endurance really suffers) no question the Lotus sounds better (fuller with more overtones) and seems to play better in tune, They both play really well in tune but the Lotus hits the center of the note better. The Monette takes you a microsecond to adjust. I hear the Lotus coming in a maybe touch high on attack then perfectly centered sound. I was coming from a Hagstrom Yamaha (between a 5 and 7) to a Lotus 7L and the Lotus 7L felt huge. It sounds great, but it killed my endurance. Looks like I am going to get your Master Endurance book. Thank You for posting this great informative video !!!

[@raulgil-alvarado2354]

I like the first one but the lotus on some music had better articulations

[@leanne538]

the rim of of the monette are more sharp . the lotus more round so more attack with the monette . more air with the lotus .

[@wohliq1]

i liked mouthpiece #1 more cause it sounded warmer and it feeled like you had more control on it and mouthpiece#2 sounded a bit flimsy

[@silvioribeirodossantos6858]

Gostei mais do Lotus

[@eyaliss]

wow such a big difference. the Lotus has less focus than the Monettte and its sound is filled with air.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

If that’s what you noticed then charge it to the player and not the gear.

[@tiqi_r4793]

Well I am student in music school and I play on 5C mouthpiece :/

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Very good! 😊

[@elidewine9067]

As a friend of mine, a famous jazz player, says, for € 20,000 for a trumpet or € 450 for a mouthpiece .... at least I must also know how to make a cappuccino with brioche. The Monette sound killed the Jazz. They all sound the same, none that have their own sound

[@criss00788]

LOTUS 👍👍

[@ericmpena]

Lotus sounds a little better to my ears.

[@sartoriotrp]

I prefer Monette, I guess sounds better!

[@wythetrumpet6419]

The Lotus sounds clearer than the Monette. The Lotus has less distortion. Thank you for the video!

[@novaj5]

I thought in the blind testing section it sounds like you're bored or (mentally) not very focused playing the Lotus. But you know what? As we move on in the video you sound better and better playing on it. Like as if the mouthpiece is gradually getting out of the equation and you're just being you. I agree with another comment below (T-bone) that you're feeling more comfortable with Lotus. I was never really interested in trying them out but seeing you making that transition / dialling in got me seriously interested into one of these. Man! 👍

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Great observation! I was kinda rushed while recording this. So you certainly picked up on that. I kind of feel as if I need to re-record while relaxed to really do the video justice.

[@curtiseby8593]

I’ve been doing the same experiment of late with a Lotus 3M and 3M2 bs a Resonance Prana B6LDS1 and the Monette sounds better and bigger more depth of sound. Lotus is not as free above High G to double C. In your comparison, the B6 is shallower than the 2L so that’s going to be a big difference in sound

[@stevemcgoona3457]

How do the 3M and 3M2 compare? Is the M2 noticeably shallower? I'm trying to decide between 3M2 and 3M in nickel.

[@curtiseby8593]

@@stevemcgoona3457 it’s a little shallower and I think the throat may be a little tighter

[@jairog5092]

Definitely you sound better with the lotus mpc

[@GH-cp9wc]

You bought the Lotus!

[@BruceRichardsonMusic]

Dude, I have to say that the Monette won zero out of those comparisons. Particularly the octave jumps, the Lotus was by far better in tune. I will say that the Monette sometimes sounds a little biggger, for lack of a better word. BUT...the Lotus is so much more even that the occasional "bigger" sound of the Monette can't compete with the note to note consistency I'm hearing from the Lotus examples. Fascinating.

[@Mrwriterman1]

Master Endurance

[@janedubourg4837]

Nothing worth talking about. Mouthpiece journey ended with my Bach 7c.

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Some are very fortunate.

[@migueltortoza]

Lotus❤

[@Zen.0N]

Lotus sounds beautiful in comparison to monette.

[@billwasserman9665]

#2 all the way

[@KiaraDsouza-k5p]

1 it sounded better

[@rubenproost2552]

Well, those high notes still sounded flat.

[@robertthomas7343]

sounds brass

[@kodjokyei]

I think the monnet mouthpiece is great for jazz horns whereas the lotus aids players in classical style

[@zac2780]

I swear buying different mouthpieces is a scam, everyone thinks if they buy the top shelf horns and mouthpieces it will improve clarity and range... I sound just as good on my crappy beginner horn as I do on my Bach Strad with a Monette mouthpiece. I reckon mouthpieces are a bit of a scam

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

Only a scam, possibly, because some of them are overpriced. However, I am convinced that the various sizes and shapes do make a difference in both the blow and sound. After all, it is physics. I guess the question is, how much of a difference does it make? With that said, I also believe that sound is primarily developed in the players mind . . . Let’s call it 80/20, but it may actually be more like 95/5. 😆 Which is a why a player pretty much sounds the same on whatever equipment they choose to use. But good equipment CAN make a persons job easier IF they actually know how to play with good technique and such. Thank you so much for your comment, Zac! I enjoy these conversations.

[@jambajoby32]

If you know how to produce a sound and have worked out the fundamentals, mouthpieces are one of the biggest differences

[@zac2780]

@@ChrisDavisTrumpet yes very true and my experience is in to me and I understand that some people might have better results than me... Can you suggest a mouthpiece size that might help with the top end? I'm open to trying something other than the same Monette as you and I also have a bach 7c... Do you have any suggestions?

[@zac2780]

@@jambajoby32 I'm open to trying something other than the basic 7c, I can only get 2 octaves to high C wondering if any mouthpieces may help with stability and flow in that top end or is 7c the best for that range??

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

@@zac2780 I won’t recommend a mouthpiece but instead double down on your slurs.

[@gregorysloat4258]

You sound better on the Lotus and it actually sounds more versatile. However, your video is reversed. I don’t know any trumpet players who play left-handed trumpets. 🤣

[@jambajoby32]

2 is Monette

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

🤔 watch the entire video. 😊

[@jambajoby32]

@@ChrisDavisTrumpet hehe I was just participating in the comment section! I was definitely surprised!

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

@@jambajoby32 Thank you; I appreciate you. I was also surprised at the contrast.

[@SuperDoncicio]

Monette!

[@taylorwest4414]

Why do you tense up so much in the upper register???? Far too much effort for the notes played. Monette equipment works best for players that play with proper concept. Far too much tension in the chest and neck when playing those octave jumps.

[@johnwilder8517]

It's very obvious that you play on a bigger piece, so can't really draw any conclusions. jw