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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

1969 Benge advertisement.  Note the presence of a pocket cornet in the listing. I have yet to hear of a single example.

Actor Peter Weller actually played a pocket trumpet in his 1984 film �The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.�  He attended the University of North Texas� well-known jazz program. From the screen captures shown, it appears to be a Benge (although there�s a chance it could be a Calicchio).  The only shame is that the pocket trumpet scene is maybe 15 seconds long.