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tom turner · 11-17-2003, 04:13 PM

Yes, the third valve pinky ring IS correct on this early Benge trumpet!

Like Vincent Bach a decade before him, Eldon Benge (then playing with the Chicago Symphony) also played the F. Besson before starting to improve on it.

Eldon's "copy" was more authentically faithful to the original and Bach's, as the second valve slide went FORWARD on the Benge just like on the F. Besson AND the finger hook was below the third valve slide like the Besson too!

Back then the "hot" trumpet was the F. Besson but the Besson's were notorious for extreme variances in workmanship, consistency and quality. Especially, Bessons were notorious about having poor valve compression. Those suckers could leak like a sieve.

HOWEVER . . . folks expected other players to play Bessons in the orchestras, even with their inconsistencies. Great players would find the best Besson specimen they could . . . and wish for a horn that played as well as it sounded! (Sound similar to a situation today?!!!)

Vincent Bach and Eldon Benge simply went into business to fill the void that Besson allowed them to fill . . . to build a "Besson" like it COULD and SHOULD have been made. As I mentioned above, the Benge looked more "politically correct" in a section of F. Bessons! Additionally, the Benge Bb and C trumpets were wonderful, wonderful trumpets.

WHAT IF . . .

Bach sold out to Selmer in 1961, then stayed on as a strong consultant to Selmer, demanding that Selmer maintain his reputation until he died in 1979.

Eldon Benge though died in 1960, leaving the family business to the family. Unlike Bach did from 1924-1961, Eldon refused to expand much and only made a couple or three horns a week to the absolute highest standards he could personally do.

Eventually King/UMI bought the family out BUT . . .

WHAT IF Eldon had lived longer and also guided his company into a merger relationship with a financially strong major firm . . . and also been allowed to have a firm hand for the next 15 years or so to make sure that quality stayed high at the larger company?

Who knows? Maybe Benge would be the standard today. I know I've always loved the vintage Benge trumpets. That one on e-bay will surely bring thousands more than the sub-2K bid currently on the horn. If surely love to have the one on e-bay.

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

11-17-2003, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
tom turner Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia, USA Brand: F. Oakes tpts/flug/cornet Posts: 788	The "Real McCoy!" Yes, the third valve pinky ring IS correct on this early Benge trumpet! Like Vincent Bach a decade before him, Eldon Benge (then playing with the Chicago Symphony) also played the F. Besson before starting to improve on it. Eldon's "copy" was more authentically faithful to the original and Bach's, as the second valve slide went FORWARD on the Benge just like on the F. Besson AND the finger hook was below the third valve slide like the Besson too! Back then the "hot" trumpet was the F. Besson but the Besson's were notorious for extreme variances in workmanship, consistency and quality. Especially, Bessons were notorious about having poor valve compression. Those suckers could leak like a sieve. HOWEVER . . . folks expected other players to play Bessons in the orchestras, even with their inconsistencies. Great players would find the best Besson specimen they could . . . and wish for a horn that played as well as it sounded! (Sound similar to a situation today?!!!) Vincent Bach and Eldon Benge simply went into business to fill the void that Besson allowed them to fill . . . to build a "Besson" like it COULD and SHOULD have been made. As I mentioned above, the Benge looked more "politically correct" in a section of F. Bessons! Additionally, the Benge Bb and C trumpets were wonderful, wonderful trumpets. WHAT IF . . . Bach sold out to Selmer in 1961, then stayed on as a strong consultant to Selmer, demanding that Selmer maintain his reputation until he died in 1979. Eldon Benge though died in 1960, leaving the family business to the family. Unlike Bach did from 1924-1961, Eldon refused to expand much and only made a couple or three horns a week to the absolute highest standards he could personally do. Eventually King/UMI bought the family out BUT . . . WHAT IF Eldon had lived longer and also guided his company into a merger relationship with a financially strong major firm . . . and also been allowed to have a firm hand for the next 15 years or so to make sure that quality stayed high at the larger company? Who knows? Maybe Benge would be the standard today. I know I've always loved the vintage Benge trumpets. That one on e-bay will surely bring thousands more than the sub-2K bid currently on the horn. If surely love to have the one on e-bay. Sincerely, Tom Turner