Use this page as a Monette low-brass and horn reference. Start from the player's current mouthpiece and map from there.
Scope: trombone, tuba, and French horn. For Bb trumpet, see the trumpet quick reference guide →
10-Second Answer
Trombone
| Player type | Start here |
|---|---|
| All-around tenor (6½AL player) | TS6 or TT6 |
| Symphonic / large bore tenor | TT5 |
| Orchestral section / wide bore | TT4 |
| Commercial / lead jazz trombone | TS11 |
| Bass trombone, big band / commercial | BT2 |
| Bass trombone, orchestral | BT1 |
Tuba
| Player type | Start here |
|---|---|
| Orchestral, piston-valve tuba, dark sound | Model 94 (Helleberg / funnel cup) |
| Rotary tuba, chamber / quintet | Model 95 or 97 (Geib / bowl cup) |
| F or Eb tuba, solo repertoire | 94F or 7F |
French Horn — check the shank first
US horn (Holton, Conn, most Yamaha) → American (Morse) shank
German horn (Alexander, Schmid, Hans Hoyer) → European (Alexander) shank
Wrong shank = intonation problems — check this before anything else.
How to Read a Monette Low Brass Name
Take TT5 S1 as an example:
│ └────── Rim family (lower = larger diameter)
└───────── Instrument prefix (TT = large-shank tenor trombone)
| Prefix | Instrument |
|---|---|
| TS | Tenor Trombone — small shank (small-bore horns, most baritones/euphoniums) |
| TT | Tenor Trombone — large shank (large-bore symphonic tenor, high-end euphoniums) |
| BT | Bass Trombone |
| 94 / 95 / 97 | Tuba models (named by model number, not prefix system) |
Trombone Rim Families
| Monette | Conventional Equivalent | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| TS11 / TT11 | Bach 11C / 12C | Lead jazz, commercial trombone, young students needing upper register support |
| TS6 / TT6 | Bach 6½AL | Most popular all-around size. Jazz soloists and section players. |
| TT5 | Bach 5G | Symphonic tenor standard. "L" (Large Throat) version for open players. |
| TT4 | Bach 4G | Wide rim, larger cup. Orchestral section work. |
| BT2 | Bach 1½G / Schilke 59 | Bass trombone, big band. Flexible with rich sound. |
| BT1 | Bach 1G / Schilke 60 | Bass trombone, orchestral. Extra-large cup, massive sound production. |
Tuba Cup Styles
Two fundamental cup shapes — different sounds, different uses:
| Style | Shape | Sound | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helleberg / H-cup (funnel) | Deep, wide, funnel-shaped | Dark, covered, massive | Piston-valve tubas, symphonic orchestral |
| Geib / G-cup (bowl) | Bowl-shaped | Brighter, more zing, cleaner articulation | Rotary tubas, quintet, chamber, solo |
Orchestral piston tuba + darkest sound → Model 94 (Helleberg). Rotary tuba in brass quintet → Model 95 or 97 (Geib).
What V-Numbers Mean (Trombone)
Low brass uses V-numbers (V4, V12, V21) where trumpet uses S-numbers. Same concept, different letter. V-numbers indicate specific cup contour iterations within a rim family — they are not a simple bigger/smaller scale. Each V-number is a different cup geometry optimised for a specific register or style.
- V21 — typically symphonic depth, optimised for a 4G-equivalent dark cup
- V4 — typically shallower for improved upper-register slotting without losing core sound
- S1 on trombone — the Slap cup design, currently the high-performance standard on many 2026 trombone models
French Horn — The Shank Issue
This is the most important practical question for French horn players. The two shanks taper at different rates. If a player puts an American shank into a European receiver, it sits too deep and creates a disruptive step in the air column. European shank in an American receiver = doesn't seat deep enough, leaves a gap = unstable intonation and fuzzy articulation.
A wrong-shank mouthpiece can make a great player sound like they're fighting the instrument — when really it's just a mechanical mismatch. Always confirm shank type before recommending a mouthpiece to a French horn player.
Why Monette Low Brass Is Gold-Plated
All Monette low brass and tuba mouthpieces are finished in brushed 24k gold, not silver. Two functional reasons: (1) Reduced surface tension — gold is “slippery,” allowing lips to move more freely during large interval jumps and flexibility exercises; (2) Thermal conductivity — gold is a better thermal conductor than silver, reducing fatigue during long orchestral rehearsals. This is not a cosmetic choice.
Classic vs Prana vs Unity — Low Brass
Same philosophy as trumpet, with one key difference: most Monette low brass is made in Prana configuration by default. Unity is the recommended starting point for players on non-Monette production instruments. Classic is less common in the trombone/tuba catalog. If a player has tension habits, Unity is more forgiving than Prana.
Body Weight Options
| Weight | Sound | Use |
|---|---|---|
| STC-1 (Standard) | Stable, massive, rich overtones | Orchestral trombone and tuba — maximum core |
| LT (Lightweight) | Brighter, more immediate response | Commercial, jazz, solo trombone |
| XLT (Extra-Lightweight) | Very bright, extremely fast response | Lead trombone, high-register commercial work |
Common Questions
I play a Bach 6½AL. What Monette is closest?
Start with the TS6 (small-bore tenor) or TT6 (large-bore tenor). The TS6 S1 is the most popular all-around size in the Monette trombone catalog, developed with Wycliffe Gordon.
What's the difference between TS and TT?
Shank size. TS = small shank, for small-bore trombones and most euphoniums/baritones. TT = large shank, for large-bore symphonic tenors. Same rim diameter — different shank.
Why do players often need to push their tuning slide in after switching to Monette?
Monette mouthpieces have a lower natural pitch centre than conventional equipment. Because the player is no longer compensating with muscle tension, their natural pitch centre drops. Pushing the slide in corrects this — it's expected and correct.
Does the trombone use S-numbers or V-numbers?
Both exist. V-numbers (V4, V21) indicate cup contour iterations. S-numbers (S1) indicate Slap cup designs. They are not interchangeable — a V21 and an S1 are different cup geometries.
All conventional equivalents are approximate starting points. Rim diameter, cup contour, throat, backbore, and shank taper all affect how a mouthpiece plays. Official specs at monette.net. This is an independent reference — BrassFitMouthpieces.com has no commercial relationship with David G. Monette Corporation.