Benge's First Pocket Trumpets
These are the first two pocket trumpets made by Benge in 1968
(This date conflicts with the serial number list available on the
Internet, but we are confident that it is accurate). The first was
made for Irving Bush, who worked with Benge on a consulting
basis, working on new model design. The second (currently in
Boyde Hood's collection) was made for Robert DiVall, Irv's
section mate in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the
time. They were both known to take these trumpets with them
on vacations in order to get a little practice in. A few years later,
Boyde became very close friends with Irv and spent many happy
hours talking about trumpets and experiences that they had in the
business.
The two trumpets are virtually identical, aside from the first slide
trigger/hook and finish. They are 9 1/2" long with bell rim
diameters of 3 7/8" and bores measuring .460". In both cases the
finish is original: Irv's is gold plated, Bob's is lacquered and has
suffered a little more wear and damage. With consecutive serial
numbers, they were obviously made at the same time and show
some minor engineering problems. Both have extended tuning
slide assemblies, indicating that the original calculation for length
was a bit short. I know from experience that it is very difficult to
measure curved tubing length with precision. Also, the curves in
the bell and mouthpipe are more crudely done than we are
accustomed to in Benge instruments. I've gotten pretty good at
bending bells and other tubing, but it has taken many years to
become proficient. Benge foreman, Lou Duda, was known to
complain about how much more work was involved in making
these than standard trumpets. He was able to refine the bending
step and later and Benge pocket trumpets made in the 1970s are
very well done. I should also comment that imperfect curves in
brass instruments don't seem to be detrimental to the acoustics in
that instrument. All later Benge pocket trumpets have full size
bell rims (4 3/4"). Nick DeCarlis, current owner of Irv's pocket
trumpet, states in his PocketCornets.com, they are the gold
standard for modern pocket trumpets.
(This date conflicts with the serial number list available on the
Internet, but we are confident that it is accurate). The first was
made for Irving Bush, who worked with Benge on a consulting
basis, working on new model design. The second (currently in
Boyde Hood's collection) was made for Robert DiVall, Irv's
section mate in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the
time. They were both known to take these trumpets with them
on vacations in order to get a little practice in. A few years later,
Boyde became very close friends with Irv and spent many happy
hours talking about trumpets and experiences that they had in the
business.
The two trumpets are virtually identical, aside from the first slide
trigger/hook and finish. They are 9 1/2" long with bell rim
diameters of 3 7/8" and bores measuring .460". In both cases the
finish is original: Irv's is gold plated, Bob's is lacquered and has
suffered a little more wear and damage. With consecutive serial
numbers, they were obviously made at the same time and show
some minor engineering problems. Both have extended tuning
slide assemblies, indicating that the original calculation for length
was a bit short. I know from experience that it is very difficult to
measure curved tubing length with precision. Also, the curves in
the bell and mouthpipe are more crudely done than we are
accustomed to in Benge instruments. I've gotten pretty good at
bending bells and other tubing, but it has taken many years to
become proficient. Benge foreman, Lou Duda, was known to
complain about how much more work was involved in making
these than standard trumpets. He was able to refine the bending
step and later and Benge pocket trumpets made in the 1970s are
very well done. I should also comment that imperfect curves in
brass instruments don't seem to be detrimental to the acoustics in
that instrument. All later Benge pocket trumpets have full size
bell rims (4 3/4"). Nick DeCarlis, current owner of Irv's pocket
trumpet, states in his PocketCornets.com, they are the gold
standard for modern pocket trumpets.
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