This Benge trumpet was built in 1969, after Eldon
Benge's death and in the last few years before the
company was sold and moved from Burbank. The
original owner was Bob DiVall of the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra. The last photo to the left
shows that orchestra's trumpet section at that time as
presented in the Benge catalog and all holding Benge
trumpets. Unfortunately, Bob is holding a Bb trumpet,
so it can't be this particular instrument. At that time,
these players did favour Benge trumpets and used them
extensively. After his retirement, Bob sold this trumpet
to Tommy Stevens, although playing styles changed
and he didn't use it much in the Philharmonic
performances. Before his retirement, however,
Tommy did use this trumpet in the Three Tenors
concert at Dodger's Stadium, which was televised
internationally. This seems good testament to Eldon
Benge's trumpet design skill and a great trumpet making
shop. Tommy then traded it to Boyde Hood when he
really wanted a D trumpet that Boyde had. Now it
safely resides in Boyde's rather important trumpet
collection.
This C trumpet has the MLP bore which measures
.464". The overall length is 19" (18 3/8" from bell rim
to bell curve) and the bell rim diameter is 4 5/8". The
bell is Benge's #2 that was originally designed as a Bb
trumpet bell, but obviously functions quite well on this
instrument in C. I've included the third photograph to
show some slight design differences between the earlier
Benge trumpets, made in Chicago and those in
Burbank. The first valve slide with thumb hook on an
extension, the third slide stop posts and curved knurling
on the valve caps are the most obvious. Joe Lill, on his
website, goes into great detail describing the design
differences as the Benge trumpets evolved.
Benge's death and in the last few years before the
company was sold and moved from Burbank. The
original owner was Bob DiVall of the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra. The last photo to the left
shows that orchestra's trumpet section at that time as
presented in the Benge catalog and all holding Benge
trumpets. Unfortunately, Bob is holding a Bb trumpet,
so it can't be this particular instrument. At that time,
these players did favour Benge trumpets and used them
extensively. After his retirement, Bob sold this trumpet
to Tommy Stevens, although playing styles changed
and he didn't use it much in the Philharmonic
performances. Before his retirement, however,
Tommy did use this trumpet in the Three Tenors
concert at Dodger's Stadium, which was televised
internationally. This seems good testament to Eldon
Benge's trumpet design skill and a great trumpet making
shop. Tommy then traded it to Boyde Hood when he
really wanted a D trumpet that Boyde had. Now it
safely resides in Boyde's rather important trumpet
collection.
This C trumpet has the MLP bore which measures
.464". The overall length is 19" (18 3/8" from bell rim
to bell curve) and the bell rim diameter is 4 5/8". The
bell is Benge's #2 that was originally designed as a Bb
trumpet bell, but obviously functions quite well on this
instrument in C. I've included the third photograph to
show some slight design differences between the earlier
Benge trumpets, made in Chicago and those in
Burbank. The first valve slide with thumb hook on an
extension, the third slide stop posts and curved knurling
on the valve caps are the most obvious. Joe Lill, on his
website, goes into great detail describing the design
differences as the Benge trumpets evolved.
Burbank Benge C Trumpet
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