Benge Piccolo Trumpet

Capt. Z · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:12 am Post subject:

I just got my Benge Piccolo trumpet a few days ago. After reading all the posts on how more ifficult it is to play a piccolo, I have to disagree on the Benge Picc.

The Benge seems to play pretty easy.

One thing I have to get used to, there is no spit valve due to the small size and it seems that every few minutes I need to turn the picc around a few times to get the water out the picc. On my regular trumpet I have a lot less spit.

Is that normal?
How do you guys do it on longer pieces?
_________________
'83 B&H Sovereign Cornet, MB w/Sparx 4; 4B
'78 Bach Strad. 65* w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'87 Getzen Eterna 900 LB in C w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'02 Benge Piccolo Trumpet Blackburn pipe w/Haefner 7H*P
I mainly play British Brass and Classical Music

UsedBits · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:30 am Post subject:

It is not only normal but expected that a piccolo trumpet will require more spit runs. This is because the same amount of moisture is being introduced into a much smaller area.

As for playing characteristics, I'm happy to hear that the Benge piccolo meets your approval. I faced a very difficult decision to purchase a Stomvi piccolo instead of rounding out my collection of Benges. But because the 2nd trumpet in my quintet already had a Stomvi, it made more sense to duplicate his trumpet to gain the matching playing characteristics.

How does your horn perform above 'hi' C? My stomvi goes way flat up there, especially on the G above hi C.
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aka Benge Loyalist
Benge Bb, 5x, ml #8162
Benge C, 2x+, mlp #7481
Benge D/Eb, ml #6579
Benge Flug, ml #17xxx
Stomvi piccolo, m15, #901885
Boston 3-Star 1 NE Plus Ultra LP #22019
Martin Committee #151322
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Capt. Z · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 6:05 pm Post subject:

I only have the Benge for a few days. I practice some slow intervals and a tuner with it today and it seems, that the Benge seems to be much on pitch throughout the full range. It may go a little flat below the low Ab.

However, while practicing I realized that the pitch has a lot to do with concentration and listening on the picc. I could play dsome intervalls spot on, other once could be a little flat and others a little sharp. Always depending on how I started the intervals off. So playing on pitch with this instrument and propably other piccolos has a lot to do on your concentration and hearing.

I find that the regular trumpet is much more stable on staying on pitch in this regard. The piccolo amplifies a slight pitch off center much more than a regular trumpet.
_________________
'83 B&H Sovereign Cornet, MB w/Sparx 4; 4B
'78 Bach Strad. 65* w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'87 Getzen Eterna 900 LB in C w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'02 Benge Piccolo Trumpet Blackburn pipe w/Haefner 7H*P
I mainly play British Brass and Classical Music

Trptbenge · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:19 pm Post subject:

I am not a Piccolo expert but I have played quite a few. I agree the Benge Piccolo is much easier to play and make the transition from a B Flat.

Mike

_PhilPicc · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:12 am Post subject:

Capt. Z,

You say your Benge picc does not have a spit valve, is it a newer model.

I have a 1980 Benge and it has a spit valve on the 4th slide.

Also are you using the standard Benge leadpipes? I switched to Blackburns
and it made quite a difference as far as the intonation went.

Enjoy your new toy, they are fun to play.

Regards,
Phil
_________________
Philip Satterthwaite

We cannot expect you to be with us all the time, but perhaps you could be good enough to keep in touch now and again."
- Sir Thomas Beecham to a musician during a rehearsal

Capt. Z · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:38 am Post subject:

The picc must ba a 2002 model. It des have the spit valve on the 4th slide. What I should have said, was that there is no spit valve in the "regular" tubing, so I have to turn the picc. around every few minutes to get my spit out.. Unless there is a way to get all that spit out through the 4th valve.

At the moment I am using the original leadpipe.

I have read many good things about the Blackburn leadpipes, but I am having and playing this instrument less than one week.

Maybe in the future I will be able tio get a Blackburn leadpipe. Anyone has a used one for sale?
_________________
'83 B&H Sovereign Cornet, MB w/Sparx 4; 4B
'78 Bach Strad. 65* w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'87 Getzen Eterna 900 LB in C w/GR 65S;MS;M;MX
'02 Benge Piccolo Trumpet Blackburn pipe w/Haefner 7H*P
I mainly play British Brass and Classical Music

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

I also recommend the Blackburn leadpipes. I play a Yamaha 6810S, which is supposed to be a copy of the Benge. The Blackburn leadpipes definitely with help intonation and, in my experience also take a bit of the "edge" off of the sound.

clarion89 · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 5:48 am Post subject:

A friend of mine just bought a Benge piccolo trumpet. He let me play it and I was really impressed with the playing characteristics. I own a Stomvi Elite piccolo trumpet and the Benge seems to have a darker sound and less penetrating, brilliant tone quality. I would like to own one, myself, for use in a different playing situations, or for different pieces.
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Matt Wirfel
"don't practice long, practice often" - Don Jacoby
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Benge Loyalist · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 7:06 am Post subject:

Clarion,

Wow - a direct comparison. Thanks!

I should have been able to predict the difference, given the Benge's 180 degree turn in the lead pipe and bell versus the Stomvi's less than 90 degree turn. That characteristic, alone, will darken the sound. But until you presented your observation, I had not been able to 'reckon' how the Benge would sound against the Stomvi.

It makes me feel better about my decision to duplicate the sound of my 2nd's Stomvi picc rather than round out my collection of Benges. Again, thanks!
_________________
Benge Loyalist aka UsedBits
Benge Bb 5x ml #8162 Burbank 1969 gold
Benge C 2c+ mlp #7481 Burbank 1968 silver
Benge D/Eb ml #6579 Burbank 1965 raw brass
Benge Flugel 5 ml #17708 Los Angeles silver
Stomvi piccolo, m1
Boston 3 star NE Plus Ultra (1912)