[TPIN] Benge Trumpets: Brightness Factor

[badnote]

Here is my $.02. It is always hard to compare 2 horns back to back. You 
could take 5 bach 37 ml silver horns with consecutive serial #s and they all 
will play differently due to a variety of manufacturing issues too numerous 
to mention here (consult more expert sources such as Schilke's testing of 
plating/lacquer). So your raw brass and silver benge might give you 
incorrect play test results if you try them back to back.  My best advice is 
that lacquer tends to deaden a horns vibrations and that many players 
mistake this for a dark sound. actually out in the room (not behind the 
horn) the plaetd or unlacquered horn stands a chance of having more presence 
or overtones in the sound and therefore more life. behind the horn however 
the lacquered horn may sound more dark (dead). HOwever, I have played some 
lacquered Mt. Vernons and Pre-War Bessons that were out of this world. Was 
that lacquer or craftsmanship? It is always best to just play a horn and if 
you like it.............play it. That being said, I do not presently own a 
lacquered instrument. I have had great results stripping lacquer or having 
the silver off (which according to Schilke does not make much difference) I 
personally thought it freed the horn up. But this is just my personal 
preference. Oh yes, I know a guy in Fla. that stripped his lacquered 5X and 
it sound as dark as any horn I ever heard. And on the other hand I have 
played some vintage MLP Benges which I thought were amazing (for lead that 
is).Before Nick Payton got his Conn deal he could be seen playing a 
lacquered Mt. Vernon trumpet and Wayne Bergeron is currently hawking a 
Yamaha with lacquer (whether he actually plays it I do not know). How about 
Terel Stafford and his lacquered/brushed Selmer Chorus 80 J which is a fine 
axe I think. He is pretty top drawer too! So, I guess if you have a 
lacquered axe that roars.......use it or if you have a silver one use that 
too. ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Byron Jones" <reddogremodelers at kc.rr.com>
To: <tpin at tpin.okcu.edu>
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 12:57 PM
Subject: [TPIN] Benge Trumpets: Brightness Factor


> When I bought my first Benge, back in '70, I was told that the horns 
> tended to be "bright" in sound, and to get a lacquer horn rather than a 
> silver finish. I wonder if any one has one that they have in raw brass, 
> and how that affects the Brigthness Factor.Or a lacquer verus silver 
> discussion?
> Byron
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