| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
musicman0097
Veteran Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2012
Posts: 138
Location: Hayward, California
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject: Blessing and Benge Trumpets |
 |
|
Hi Everybody,
I have a question on a few horns that are in the marketplace here on Trumpet Herald. One of the them is a Blessing LT-ML-1 trumpet and the other is a Benge 3X. Before I email anyone, I wanted to know any info on these trumpets. Are they good horns? (I know Benge is top of the line, but Still just want to know. I've never played one). What applications can they be used in? Is blessing a good brand name? Thanks.
_________________
Matthew Porter
--------------
Mt. Vernon Bach Strad 38 Bb
NY Bach Strad 238G Tunable Bell/Removable Leadpipe C Trumpet
Conn Director Bb Cornet
King Clevelander Bb Cornet
Monette B3 S3/C3 & more |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
terry horace
Regular Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2011
Posts: 75
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They are both good brands and have made (or do make) great horns. The Benge brand is pretty much a thing of the past. All of their horns were professional model horns. Most of the ones stamped "USA" on the bell are considered to be inferior to the Benge trumpets produced in Los Angeles, Burbank or Chicago. When Benge production was moved to Eastlake, Ohio by the now defunct conglomerate UMI (now part of Conn-Selmer), they changed the design of the horn a bit. They still are good playing horns, but not very desirable, and unlike any of the "original" horns made up until about 1980.
Blessing is currently owned by high end flute manufacturer Powell Flutes. They have done a lot of work in the past 18 months to make the horns better, and to introduce new models to their catalog. Their top of the line horn is the 1580. The ML-1 is an intermediate horn, but plays quite well.
Either horn would be fine, but I probably wouldn't pay more than $500 for an ML-1 or a UMI made Benge (my 2 cents).
There is lots of information on both brands out there if you do the bare minimum of homework (i.e. GOOGLE) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ed Kennedy
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 1056
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject: ML1 LT |
|
|
| The great jazz artist Red Rodney played and endorsed that horn in the late '80's. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dbacon
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Nov 2001
Posts: 8122
Location: North Scottsdale, AZ.
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Red Rodney thing was interesting..I know a couple of good Jazz players from that era that played Blessing..
_________________
Dave Bacon
Grand Canyon University
Mesa Community College
Red Mountain Big Band
trumpetbacon@gmail.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Comeback
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2011
Posts: 627
Location: Indiana
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Blessing and Benge Trumpets |
|
|
| musicman0097 wrote: | Hi Everybody,
I have a question on a few horns that are in the marketplace here on Trumpet Herald. One of the them is a Blessing LT-ML-1 trumpet and the other is a Benge 3X. Before I email anyone, I wanted to know any info on these trumpets. Are they good horns? (I know Benge is top of the line, but Still just want to know. I've never played one). What applications can they be used in? Is blessing a good brand name? Thanks. |
Hello, musicman0097. I guess I'm sort of a Blessing guy, though I ended up so for no particular reason. I know nothing about Benge's. My seven Blessings come from two distinct eras: 1950 to 1960; and 1990 to 2009. All of mine play great and evidence excellent quality. The old ones, including a 1952 Super Artist, are all large bores. The new ones are all medium-large bores. It is difficult for me to say which horns I like the most.
Your interest may be in new or newer Bb trumpets. I have not played a 1580 but will state that I have heard good things about them. I own two ML1s, which are pictured below. These have been wonderful horns for me. The lacquered one is my daily player and I have logged hundreds of hours on it. Fourteen months into my comeback, I can run smoothly from F# below the staff to high D with ease, and my high E is coming right along. I have not yet worked on developing pedals. I play my ML1s with Blessing 3Cs, which I have found to be comfortable to play and of high quality. Best wishes to you in your search and decision.
Jim
2006 Anniversary ML1
2009 Lacquered ML1
_________________
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ed Kennedy
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 1056
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| dbacon wrote: | | The Red Rodney thing was interesting..I know a couple of good Jazz players from that era that played Blessing.. |
Brad Good was a protoge of Red's, he may have played one as well. Brad, are you lurking? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
david mickley
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 520
Location: Indianapolis, In.
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have owned many L.A. Benges, 2 Chicago Benges and 1 UMI Benge [90B]. I presently own and play a Blessing BTR 1580, what are you looking for in a horn? They are completely different animals, the Benges that I have owned all have greatly benifitted from a PVA and are great horns, the 2x series work great for Big Band [they will cut through a section] the 3X series have slightly more core to the sound and the 5X is probably one of the most open ML horns you will find. The Blessing is a great all around horn and I have yet to find a venue where it doesn't fit. My UMI 90B was a great horn and out played any of the 4-5 strads that I have owned [it too was a good all around horn, it fit any where you would play a Bach Strad #37]. You really need to try the horn before buying, some people just don't like the way Benges play and it took about 3 weeks for me to get acclimated to the Blessing but it was well worth it.
_________________
Chicago Benge 33XX
Blessing 1580 [Powell modified] H37434
Getzen Eterna Cornet 800s P02819
Yamaha Flugel 231
assorted other horns |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
musicman0097
Veteran Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2012
Posts: 138
Location: Hayward, California
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ok. Thank you. I am looking for a all around horn. I play in my school's pep band but I also play a church. The Benge on here is a 3X. Do you think he would let me return it if I didn't like it?
_________________
Matthew Porter
--------------
Mt. Vernon Bach Strad 38 Bb
NY Bach Strad 238G Tunable Bell/Removable Leadpipe C Trumpet
Conn Director Bb Cornet
King Clevelander Bb Cornet
Monette B3 S3/C3 & more |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LittleRusty
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 6909
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| musicman0097 wrote: | | ok. Thank you. I am looking for a all around horn. I play in my school's pep band but I also play a church. The Benge on here is a 3X. Do you think he would let me return it if I didn't like it? |
Ask him.
Also you might want to look at some of the bay area stores. Hornicopia in San Carlos carries a lot of used instruments. You can call so see what they have available. You can then go there and try out the trumpets. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
musicman0097
Veteran Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2012
Posts: 138
Location: Hayward, California
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, I love Hornucopia. I like there selection of horns but they don't have Benge Trumpet as cheap as $500 last time I checked. Maybe they got another one since I've been there.
_________________
Matthew Porter
--------------
Mt. Vernon Bach Strad 38 Bb
NY Bach Strad 238G Tunable Bell/Removable Leadpipe C Trumpet
Conn Director Bb Cornet
King Clevelander Bb Cornet
Monette B3 S3/C3 & more |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LittleRusty
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 6909
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The prices are a bit high, but each instrument has been gone over before it is put on sale. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
razeontherock
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 7490
Location: The land of GR and Getzen
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| musicman0097 wrote: | | Yeah, I love Hornucopia. I like there selection of horns but they don't have Benge Trumpet as cheap as $500 last time I checked. Maybe they got another one since I've been there. |
If you can get a pre-UMI Benge 3X for $500 with right of return - that's a good deal you should not pass up. (I think right of return should be built into at least our marketplace, if not E-Bay) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
musicman0097
Veteran Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2012
Posts: 138
Location: Hayward, California
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds good. I wish the Horn was a pre-UMI. The serial number is 996,XXX. Thats really new.
_________________
Matthew Porter
--------------
Mt. Vernon Bach Strad 38 Bb
NY Bach Strad 238G Tunable Bell/Removable Leadpipe C Trumpet
Conn Director Bb Cornet
King Clevelander Bb Cornet
Monette B3 S3/C3 & more |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Comeback
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2011
Posts: 627
Location: Indiana
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:19 am Post subject: Pep Band |
|
|
| musicman0097 wrote: | | ok. Thank you. I am looking for a all around horn. I play in my school's pep band but I also play a church. The Benge on here is a 3X. Do you think he would let me return it if I didn't like it? |
Since you are a high school student, I believe you are on the right track searching for a good all around instrument. Others may correct me, but I believe some lightweight trumpets may have a "build" that is less robust than a regular weight trumpet. My memories of high school pep, jazz, concert, and marching bands are dimmed by many years, but I remember my stoutly built trumpet serving me well.
Jim
_________________
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Schleiman
New Member
Joined: 19 Jan 2011
Posts: 8
Location: Austin, TX
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:38 am Post subject: Blessing |
|
|
I recently played an Austin Winds Concert 460LT trumpet which is made by Blessing at their new digs in Elkhart. This is the first Blessing-made instrument I've played and I can tell you.....everything about that horn was positively top notch. They must've hired someone with a lot of passion for quality over there because even though the design was Austin Winds, Blessing manufactured it. And EVERYTHING was just sterling. The valves were amazing, the finish was spectacular, the slides were all beautifully aligned and worked like silk. I was so impressed that I'm at present thinking about selling my beloved 58 Olds recording to get one of these. I haven't played the 1580 but if the quality is anything like the Concert 460 I played, you are in for a real treat with a New Blessing. Take care!
_________________
"A note is a note in any language." Louis Armstrong |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
