DezynGuy

Sounds like a good deal to me. I know they go for more because I'm selling mine....but for much more than just $500

Benge

__________________
Bach Stradivarius 43
Bach NY #7
Getzen Eterna Severinsen
Getzen Genesis
'46 Martin Committee
'54 Martin Committee
Selmer Paris Flugelhorn

tenspeed

I saw a bunch of them on ebay in the $500-$600 range. Of course you can't feel and touch them like the one I'm looking at. It doesn't come with a case either. A lot of them on ebay have cases. A 6X must be more rare or maybe less desireable since I can't find any on ebay. It is silver. I forgot to mention that, but maybe people just assumed when I mentioned tarnishing.

BADBOY-DON

Take along your favorite mp..and do make sure your mp's has also been carefully cleaned. Check out that back bore and one more important item.
Do take a small penlight along with you to examine that horn....look down those slides etc...

If that old Benge is as good as so many of the ones...old toot players like myself remember so fondly, you just might be onto something really special.

AM I ENVUS...HELL YES!!!
Also try for a better deal...and last but far from least!!!!
REMEMBER TO TAKE THAT OLD BEAUTY INTO A RELIABLE REPAIR FACILITY to let them give it a good tune-up or examination for new valve and water valve springs,new corks or possible chem clean...if necessary.
So many of those beautiful old instruments I have seen for resale....on the outside look pretty good....until you look see all the years of caked on gunk-and slim.

Once removed...that old classic may give many more years of makin' beautiful music together.

Darthsunshine

All Benges are not equal, so the pricing range you cite doesn't have much meaning. As to what model it is, that has to do with bore size, which has variable deisreability by personal taste. Then there are collector-value issues, like whether it's Chicago, Burbank, LA, or UMI (It is highly unlikely to be Chicago or Burbank, but you never know).

I personally love Benge horns, especially the 5x. However, that's my personal taste. What matters is your personal taste, so if you can try out the horn I'd take a mouthpiece down there and give it a whirl. It wouldn't hurt to do some research too. Two excellent sites on Benge are:

Chicago Benge Resource Site
Benge

If you don't like it; walk away. If you do like it, then here are some things to consider:

If it's a Los Angeles horn in good condition, then $500 is a very good price; case or no case. If it's a UMI horn (6 digit serial number and says USA on the bell instead of Los Angeles), you might still buy it. Although, as has been mentioned, these are not highly regarded horns. Some UMI horns play just fine, but they are not considered "real" Benges by your average Benge freak. Now, if it's a Chicago or Burbank horn in good condition for $500 you should immediately PM me, and I'll buy it!

Good luck with your decision

__________________
Glen Ferguson

1977 LA Benge 3C
1976 LA Benge 3X+
1972 LA Benge 5x
1963 Burbank Benge Eb/D
1959 Olds Amb. cornet w/ Getzen shep crook bell

ComeBackKid

Remember one key thing. If you haven't had a mouthpiece to your lips for some years, this trumpet will not sound beautiful the first time you blow into it. When I pulled my trumpet out of the attic after 30+ years and tried to play it, it sounded terrible - not at all like I remembered it. I thought something was wrong with it from all of those years of neglect. So, I took it to the shop and the technician looked at it and played it - he said it was in excellent condition and it sounded beautiful. So, I realized then it was me - not the horn. I have been at it for 6 months and it is only now starting to sound like I remembered it. So, if you know someone whose chops are in good shape, you might take them along to try it out (then they can also help you negotiate the price). Good luck.

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

tenspeed

Its a UMI 6x. Says usa on the bell. Price is $325 now. Thot I might of had a find.

Darthsunshine

If you like the horn that's not a bad price at all, assuming it's in good shape. However, it IS a large bore, which may not be what you're looking for as a come-backer (Took me months to get to where I could play my medium large plus Benge when I started up again). Also, as I mentioned before it is not going to be viewed as a "real" Benge, since it's UMI. You wouldn't be crazy for buying it, but you wouldn't be crazy for passing it up either

__________________
Glen Ferguson

1977 LA Benge 3C
1976 LA Benge 3X+
1972 LA Benge 5x
1963 Burbank Benge Eb/D
1959 Olds Amb. cornet w/ Getzen shep crook bell

tenspeed

I'm wondering if $325 is all its worth. Local music store says $800. Maybe I could use it to trade up to a small bore? Not sure what to do. I got $500 or so to play with, but otherwise money is tight.

BADBOY-DON

Hummm? UMI?
Being n' old Benge lovin old koot-toot......"local music store says it worth $800 bucks....i TRULY THINK THAT STORE IS PULLIN; YER; CHAIN?

I WOULD PASS...AND KEEP ON LOOKIN?

tenspeed

Maybe I worded it wrong. The pawn shop didn't say it was worth $800. I think they are just seeing a silver trumpet and immediately thinking its worth $325 or whatever they think. If it was brass I bet I could walk out with it for $100. They are a bunch of rednecks that mostly pawn guns and tools. The repair shop I callec is a local music store that quoted me $800 in value. I googlec the web and NYC trumpet gives $600 trade in for one. Maybe its just a crappy sounding trumpet and I want to avoid it at even $100. Im just thinking if it has any value over $325 maybe I could use that value to trade up to something good. I dunno. I came here figuring someone might know better than me.