AboutMike Pawul Expertise I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
Question "I have a Benge with the following info: Resno Bell..custom made by E. Benge...with the number "3"...silver...on the middle valve "ML" and also "39 257731". Can you tell me when and where it was made and a quick summary of its quality / value. Seems to have a very nice and mellow tone.
Sean"
Answer Sean, Sorry for the delay but I had to work 11 days at 12 hours a day and today is my first day off. Your horn was made after Benge was bought by King. It came from the Eastlake factory in 1989. ML is the medium large bore and the model is a 3. The 3 is the most common model and is a very good player for general use. The quality should be good and it is considered a pro horn. The value is determined by the wear to the finish and valves and work needed to make it a top player again. It should fall somewhere between $400-800 based on the above.
