The Burbank Trumpet Piccolo

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 8:31 am Post subject: The Burbank Trumpet Piccolo

I'm not really in the market for a piccolo trumpet for any practical purpose but I'd really like to have one to learn on. I've been meandering through the used market and there's no shortage of instruments for sale but I've only ever played two in my life and they were both Yamaha. The Burbank Piccolo has just crossed my path and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight these instruments. I found an older thread that was pretty informative from a historical standpoint. Who out there has one and how do you feel about it?
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Kevin

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

I've played a Benge piccolo, which I think is the same thing as the Burbank.

I'm sure you know, built by Kanstul in Caifornia. So it's good build quality.

The one I used to play (always borrowed, I never owned it) played like a small French Selmer picc. Traditional picc sound, brilliant and clean. The one I played had a few different leadpipes from various manufacturers the owner said improved the horn. I don't know, I used the stock Benge Bb and A side pipe and it played good for me. Church functions mostly, Easter, Christmas, weddings etc.

If the Burbank is in good shape, and priced well, I think it would be a good buy. Piccolos are very expensive, Yamaha, schilke, are the most popular, Kanstul I think is probably next. But new they are a ton of $$$ A used Burbank or Benge if found for $900-$1200 as I've seen would be a very good buy.

Good luck

John Mohan · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:43 am Post subject:

Out of curiosity, what do you all think an older Selmer Pic in very good condition is worth?

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:45 am Post subject:

T.S,

Maybe not the same as a Benge.

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 11:31 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input. I know this isn't the only pic thread active at the moment and I appreciate your feedback. I've been trying to read up as well. It sounds like a lot of people appreciate the Kanstul made pics far beyond the value. It sounds like it's worth at least trying it out.
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Kevin

shofarguy · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:31 pm Post subject:

The Benge pic is wrapped like the Schilke P7-4. Kanstul does not offer this style pic, act the moment. The Kanstul 920 is laid out like the P5-4. The 1520 is similar to the 920 in layout, but has interchangeable bell flairs, valve slides and mouth pipes.

I'll see if I can reach Michael Thomas and ask him about the history of Burbank pics.
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Brian A. Douglas

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trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

Here's a Benge pic like I've played.

http://www.centexbrass.com/listings/Bengepiccolo.php

Here's a modern Burbank picc

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Donald-Benge-and-Zig-Kanstul-Burbank-P415-A-B-flat-Piccolo-Trumpet-in-Lacquer/1986520_32474847789.html

They look pretty similar to me

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4806

I play tested dozens of the Burbank piccs, both the long- & short-bell models.

They ALL played wonderfully.

How good are they? That question is answered very easily with "How many have you seen for sale on this or other sites?"

Yeah...guys who have them know how good they are and do not want to part with them.

Here's the story on that picc:

Zig & Don Benge wanted to expand the Burbank line of trumpets & they decided to add a picc. To start, Zig borrowed Larry Ford's Schilke, and took measurements off of that horn. He did not take inside measurements and just assumed they were a .460 bore, when actually the Schilke is a .450 bore.

That difference in bore is what helped make them so much in demand, especially among those who don't play picc all that often. It was much easier to double on.

The short-bell model was copied off the Benge short-bell picc.

When Zig decided to go on with his own line of horns, the 2 piccs he offered were basically the Burbank piccs with a few cosmetic changes, none of which affected the way the horn plays.

Yes, you read that right - for a short time, there were two models of Kanstul piccs - a short- & long-bell. The long bells were more popular and Zig decided to drop the short-bell model.

At that time, Larry Ford was the trumpet professor at the University of Redlands. He spent time in (I think) the US Navy bands, did a run with Stan Kenton, and was also Julie Andrews' travelling Lead Trumpet player. Sadly Larry passed away way too soon in life. I never had the opportunity to meet or play with him.

What's the price that's being asked for the Burbank picc?
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Tim Wendt

www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146827&s=The-Best-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-EVER--

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trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

The Benge and Burbank are like French Selmers

Modern Kanstul like the 920 looks like it's modeled after a Schilke

Bang for your buck? Used Benge or a Burbank would be a great buy. And those French designs sound more like the piccolo sound I've always liked anyway.

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 2:06 pm Post subject:

$950. Checking it out today. Fingers crossed!
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Kevin

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4806

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

Crazy Finn · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 2:58 pm Post subject:

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 3:53 pm Post subject:

I bought it! What an awesome horn. Way more responsive than the Yamahas I played before. Great clear tone as well. It's gonna take my ears a bit to get used to where these notes are but I'm excited to make peace with this beast. Thanks for helping me build the confidence to dive in.
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Kevin

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

AWESOME! New toys are sweet! And man you got a hellava horn.

Congrats man, got a couple months to get that thang working right for Easter gigs!!

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 4:18 pm Post subject:

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4806

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:15 pm Post subject:

Okay, so now what about my mouthpiece? I thoroughly enjoy my Monette XLT B4S S2 for all the styles I'm asked to play. It's a great all around piece. But, of course, Monette says I need to have a piccolo trumpet mouthpiece. I used my B4S S2 on the pic today and it seemed fine enough. Would I get much advantage from buying the same piece intended for pic? I understand the concept and why it could be important but is it really THAT noticeable?
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Kevin

kevin_soda · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:16 pm Post subject:

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4806