1997 Benge USA Piccolo Trumpet, Silver plate

A well-made American piccolo trumpet from the final strong years of the Benge brand. This Benge USA short model piccolo trumpet, built in 1997, comes from the Eastlake era, when United Musical Instruments (UMI) was producing professional brass instruments under brands including Benge, King, and Conn at its Ohio facility. Production of Benge instruments would cease less than a decade later, which gives these late UMI-era examples a distinct place in the brand’s history.

The Benge short model piccolo trumpet earned a strong reputation in its day, comparing favorably with professional piccolo trumpets from makers such as Getzen and Yamaha. It remains an appealing choice for artists looking for a dependable piccolo with an easy response, a practical setup, and the flexibility of using a standard trumpet-shank mouthpiece.

This example is a 4-valve short model with Monel pistons, a 3 1/2" yellow brass bell, and a .421" bore. It includes both Bb and A mouthpipes, allowing it to cover the standard piccolo literature without fuss. The ability to use a standard trumpet-shank mouthpiece is another practical advantage, especially for players who prefer not to juggle specialty piccolo mouthpiece setups.

Offered in excellent condition and including the original case, this is a very solid example of a now-legacy American piccolo trumpet model that still holds its own.

Specs

• Benge USA piccolo trumpet
• Short model
• Built in 1997
• 3 1/2" yellow brass bell
• .421" bore
• 4-valve model
• Monel pistons
• Includes Bb and A mouthpipes
• Accepts standard trumpet-shank mouthpiece
• Includes original case