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E. Benge • Los Angeles • no. 13953 • 1975
The first Benge pocket trumpet dates to 1968, and was the design work of Louis Duda (Eldon Benge’s “right hand man”). These have enjoyed great popularity and stong reputation in the small world of pocket trumpets ever since. It is fair to say that the Benge pocket is the “gold standard” by which other professional pocket trumpets are measured. They were made by Benge in Burbank, then Los Angeles, and continue to be manufactured in the UMI factory in East Lake Ohio.
I have not had the opportunity to play a more recent example, known as the Colibri, but in general they don’t seem to share the same reputation as California-made horns – although I have had several positive reports of East Lake horns.
While many of these are seen with Benge vinyl gig bags (as shown), a factory hard case was available as well. (instrument no longer in collection)
Length (mpc removed): 9.75”
Bell Diameter: 4.75”
Bore: .460 ML
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