I'm posting this as a favor for my good friend Mike Thomas. The Burbank trumpets are back! More information at the website: www.michaelthomasmusic.com
What about the Kanstul Chicago line? I thought that those were supposed to be fairly accurate representations of the Chicago Benges. Are these supposed to be even better?
I think they were going for representations of the Burbank Benges here. Some people probabaly prefer those particular Benges to the Chicagos (not being a Benge guy I really can't say too much).
Is there a big difference between the Chicago Benges and the Burbank Benges? From the website I gathered that all of these horns are going to be custom fitted, (but parts from Kanstul I would guess) and that says a lot. Sometimes that "feel" for correct placement of bracing and that sort of thing by a skilled brass tech can make all the difference between a trumpet that plays good, and a trumpet that's unbelievable. Tom Turner, a fan of the older Benges, once told me that if I wanted a Chicago Benge without all of the hassle and money of trying to find a good vintage Benge, to buy the Kanstul Chicago. If these new Burbanks and a step up from the Kanstul Chicago, then they must be really good.
If you want a exact copy of a Chicago Benge, buy Kanstul Chicago 1000, (3X), 1001 (3X+). The 1070 Big Band is the Claude Gordon benge Horn from the 70's. 1000,1001 are modeled with the Chicago Benge mandrells. I have hear that Burbank horns older and newers are modeled with Los Angeles Mandrells. All are excellent horns