Thread: Benge 3X
View Single Post
Old 04-21-2004, 06:23 PM   #3 (permalink)
PJB
New Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Niceville, FL
Posts: 7
PJB is an unknown quantity at this point
Benge 3X

Realistically, the quality of a used Benge 3X is going to be largely based upon its serial number (year of manufacture). In other words, is it a Chicago Benge (early '50s and earlier), a Burbank Benge (early '50s to 1971), a '70s LA Benge after King bought the company, or is it a late '70s or later Benge in name only, manufactured after UMI moved operations from LA to Elkhart?

There are some who firmly believe Benges with serial numbers above 8XXX - 10XXX are inferior. My personal opinion is not that restrictive. I bought my LA Benge 3X (serial number 12XXX) new in 1974, still play it, and it has been a great horn in both build quality and tone!

For more Benge info, go to http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/Benge.html
__________________
Pete Blaise

1974 LA Benge 3x Bb
1950 Olds Super Bb
2002 Yamaha 8445GS C
2004 Kanstul ZKF 1525 Flugel
PJB is offline   Reply With Quote