tenspeed

I was at my local pawn shop today and noticed they had a Benge 3x for sale. I think it was a 3x or a 6x. I looked on ebay and couldn't find the 6x so I'm assuming its a 3x. It was $500 I believe. I checked the slides, valves seemed not to stick, finish is tarnished looking but may clean up with a cloth(fingerprints galore), and no dents whatsoever. Any Ideas what I should be thinking if I'm interested in purchasing a trumpet for an amateur like myself. I know the basic mechanics of a trumpet, but I am in no way a technician. I played trumpet from age 10 to 22 or so and set it down. Now I am 34 and kinda would like to play again. Maybe this isn't the right trumpet to even look at. I just figured a pawn shop my be willing to negotiate and maybe I'll get a nice instrument for cheap.

bagmangood

I'd imagine that it would be quite nice if it got the valves oiled and the slides greased, and you'll get quite a steal. Any technical work (dents, etc.) could probably be taken care of fairly easy by a competent repair tech.
Also, if you don't want it, give me the address of the pawn shop

__________________
Bb: Courtois 305 "Elite"
C: Bach C180-239 (Akwright conversion),
Cornet: Conn Wonder (1900)
Picc: Selmer Paris, ~1971

tenspeed

Is $500 right at the right price? Could it be lower? I read one website that said $600-$1200. Is that correct?

govtmodel

Is it a Los Angeles or a USA instrument? USA Benges seem less desirable and get a lower price than LA or Burbank Benges.

__________________
Richard Ashmore

bagmangood

If you can get it for lower, go for it. $500 sounds reasonable to me, unless there is something wrong with it

__________________
Bb: Courtois 305 "Elite"
C: Bach C180-239 (Akwright conversion),
Cornet: Conn Wonder (1900)
Picc: Selmer Paris, ~1971

Ed Kennedy

The early LA and Burbank Benges had the model number stamped on the bell to first valve ferrule. The 3X and 6X are very different. There should also be a bore size (M, ML, MLP, L) stamped on the 2nd valve casing. A 3X could be ML or MLP. 6X is large bore, similar to the CG (Claude Gordon) model.

BADBOY-DON

Try to remember that old vintage instruments...be that they are either BENGEEE'S OR BACHSTERS' or like apples n' oranges------NO TWO ARE EVER CREATED EQUAL...TASTE OR SOUND THE SAME...n' all that jazz.

Shultzie exiled here in gig haaaba.

tenspeed

So is this even something I want? My friend suggested a few years ago that I get a reverse leadpipe Bach. I'm not not sure why and he is dead now so can't really ask him now. He was my go to guy on trumpets.

If it is the USA versus the LA model or maybe a Chicago model is that a deal breaker at this price? What difference in sound would I get between the 6X and the 3X? I'm assuming that is the difference?

s.coomer

It sounds like an excellent price for the instrument if it is in good shape. I would say make sure you can play the instrument before you pay. No one can really tell what your sound will be, as we don't know you as a player now or even before. The 6X being a large bore suggests that you should get a darker sound. However, it takes more muscle to play a large bore than a lesser bore. You can learn however to play whichever bore.
Best of luck, but no one here in their right mind can tell you what will work for you.

tenspeed

I guess I just need to go play it. I guess I can bring my own mouthpiece. Any suggestions on what to look for? I looked over the exterior and it looks great. I can deal with the finish being a little ugly if it doesn't wipe down. I'm not sure how to come off as not too interested so I can get the price down. You guys got me all excited here. I used to own a King Tempo. I'm assuming this is a much better instrument from the prices I saw for a new reproduction?