Intonation of LA Benge #5 vs #3 (vs YFH631)

stanton

Years ago I had a Benge #5 but sold it after a focal dystopia chops melt-down. Even before that, the #5 seemed to have more intonation issues than I really liked dealing with. I know that flugelhorns can generally be more of a wrestling match to get them to play in tune. I'm finding that with a borrowed DEG Signature that I'm playing now. I'm thinking I want to buy another flugel, and my short-list is currently a Benge #3 and Yamaha 631. I'm only considering used, unless a super-tremendous deal shows up.

To boil down my question, will a Benge #3 play more easily in tune than the #5? I know how well they Benge were built, but have never played a #3 and have a line on 2 of them....

... But then there's the pesky Yamaha 631 that keeps popping up and seems to be de-rigeur with a lot of players I know.

So how does the Benge #3 compare to the #5 and then to the 631?
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Schilke B1, Bach 37, 1969 Getzen Severinsen Eterna
Bach C 229 w Charlie Melk custom work
Getzen Eterna Cornet, Crappy old Yamaha 3valve Eb
Stanton Kramer "Signature" Mouthpiece

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

The Benge 3 flugel is much more manageable in my experience. I couldn't play the 5 in tune. You are in the Chicago area, give Steve "Dr. Valve" Winans a call. I think he had a 5 when we were knocking around playing Latin gigs in the '70's.

stanton · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:10 pm Post subject:

Uberopa · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 11:38 pm Post subject:

Hi,
I played a model 3 for many years. I found that it had much better intonation than my friend's model 5. His sound was huge in comparison because of the blunderbuss bell though. With a factory added third valve slide the intonation was very manageable.
I have played the Yamaha 631 many times and it is a very good instrument. I finally ended my flugel quest with a 1970s Couesnon with a Yamaha 3rd valve trigger and a Melk leadpipe and valve alignment..

stanton · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:52 am Post subject:

Uberopa · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:29 pm Post subject:

Hi,
The leadpipe is the GR pipe for $100. As for the Couesnon, the sound was the key for me. I think the Yamaha trigger was around $100 installed. If the valve compression is good and the sound is sweet you may need to decide whether or not the slightly clunky valves and scale and slots are acceptable. Generally a used Yamaha 631 is a safer bet. My opinion only. I have a Yamaha 231 "student" flugel that I bought really cheap and had fun with it as a project. New Kanstul one piece bell, third valve slide ring and heavy extended bottom caps on one and three, lacquer stripped and valve alignment makes it very nice as an easy doubler with a sound close to the 631 and the Couesnon.