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Author
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ackman13
Junior Member
Registered: October 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 9
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Review Date: 3/13/2006
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Lightweight, quick valves
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Cons:
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Bore Size
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CG is very light and easy response but I found the bore to be a little large for me. I found I would tire quickly playing the horn. The sound is good but the core is not as solid as a Bach Strad or many other regular weight horns. There are a lot of horns out there that would be a better choice for most players.
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Unregistered
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Review Date: 12/10/2007
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $500.00
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Response, slotting, and flexibility, very warm sound
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Cons:
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Lack of core in the sound limits projection, valves a little soggy
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I am not familiar with the more recently manufactured ones. Mine was made in the Selmer/Bach factory and handpicked for me by Claude Gordon himself, serial #184.
I bought this horn in 1983 a week before my senior recital. The warmth in the sound and the big dark tone I got made me put my previous horn (A Getzen Severinsen model) in the case for good. Though billed as a lead horn, I found the large bore and the lack of a solid core found on heavier horns made it not the best horn for me in a big band section. It was great as a solo instrument, however. For a lead player with a large lung capacity it's a great horn--for a little runt like me, it only made the job more taxing up high.
Flexibility is great, however, and the high A really locks in and roars with the right mouthpiece. I still use it, but only as my second horn, having purchased a Bach LR180 in 1991. I would recommend it (if you can get one of the early '80s models with the serial number under 300) more for its collectible value and uniqueness than as a great all-around horn. Powerhouse lead players, especially Claude Gordon disciples, would love it.
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Unregistered
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Review Date: 5/1/2009
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $900.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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nice build, familiar quality
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Cons:
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I got this horn in a trade. It's a nice playing horn and built very similar to the bachs that it was built next to. I dig the horn's dark sound. I read that it was a brighter horn. not mine. Serial 187 on mine.
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robert branco
Junior Member
Registered: November 2008
Location: pleasanton Ca
Posts: 3
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Review Date: 5/13/2009
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $300.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Large bore screamer up to Triple D
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Cons:
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Real thin bell dents easy / Mr. Kanstul made to sizzle a plus
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My first two horns were used and this CG. Benge Trumpet was the first new horn I have ever owned paid $300.00 and just ordered it from Zepps in LA CA. October 1976 with out tested it.Thru out Collage this horn screamed Double G up to C no problem. It was hard to keep in tune up high .This was mostly me not all the horns fault.I play sharp..so had my repair guy Dick Akright the maker of the (Bel Canto) Severinsen /Akright trumpet Master of repair Oakland Ca.cut the bend at the 1st valve and make it a tuneable bell like the Schilke horns .(the same bell) This helped alot.This was around 1980 Only draw back Zig had these bell made real thin and dented easy but you got an awesome sound .Mr.Kanstul was at that time running Benge and making it one of the best horn company around along with Bach Trumpets. I sold it for $500.00 in 1994.This horn did sit in my closet for about 10 years after collage and During my marriage when I sold it I bought one of Mr. Akright/Severinsen 59 Greg Adams Bel canto trumpet in 1994.These GC early horns are hard to find in great shape but this was the top horn back in the Seventies. If you have the lungs you will like.
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BobXX
Junior Member
Registered: September 2007
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 3
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Review Date: 5/8/2010
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $1,000.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Crazy lightweight, Dark & warm sound, Good projection
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Cons:
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Dents easily, Endurance strain, Hard to find
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I have owned three of these horns and, in my opinion, they are some of the best, most under-rated trumpets out there.
They are still some of the lightest trumpets ever made and this aspect, paired with the extra large bore size, produces a nice, dark tone. They are very free-blowing and, as a result, take some getting used to (endurance). Also, the super-thin bell makes dings a common occurrence, as stated by the other poster.
I would definitely recommend picking an earlier example over a later one, if you can find both, as they have seemed to play better. The later one I currently own (one of the last ever produced) does not feel anywhere as "lively" as the earlier two and I would describe it as a bit "dull." Mind you, however, that it still plays better, in my opinion, than your run-of-the-mill Stradivarius, on which it is based.
I have heard that only around 2000 Selmer CGs were produced, so they are rather difficult to locate, especially in good condition. My recommendation is that, if you happen to stumble across a decent example for a decent price, definitely snatch it up and give it a try.
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