After a 21 year hiatus from playing trombone during 6th thru 12th grade, I have recently dusted off the old circa 1980 Bach Mercedes II tenor w/ F attachment horn and am eager to improve on my tone and playing (which surprisingly) has come back to me in a fair amount of time... soooo, I want to upgrade to a nicer (professional grade) trombone, and have been researching via the internet and talking to other trombonists and music shop owners about various horns. I figured I'd post here as well, in hopes that some folks in this great community might have some sound advice on a good choice for a suitable trombone. I'm leaning towards a King 2B or 3B and I have an opportunity to maybe check out a couple of vintage pieces possibly becoming available shortly at a local dealer. I'm playing trombone in an all original band ( guitar, bass, drums, keys, trumpet) that is a cross between Jack Johnson & Bob Marley (Folk meets Reggae). I won't be doing much soloing , if any, but I was thinking I can't go wrong with a nice King... Yes? No?.... Thanks in advance for any help...

Dave

I have played King t-bones all my life. They are not a great symphonic horn like a Conn 88hXXX, but well built and versitile.

Have a 1933 King "New Proportion", and 1938 King 2B Liberty, another King 2B military issue, and a new King 3B.

For all around-do-anything-playing...King 3B. Could be used for lead playing, it can sound fat and round for small classical stuff, and I can push mine until I'm blowing bricks out of the walls, and it takes everything I can put into it without fail.

That being said, if you can swing it $$-wise, get the sterling bell.

Thanks conductorjonz... I took your advice (as well as others) on the sterling 3B... I'll let you know how it works out for me, once I get it. :-)

I had a lesson today using my 3B. I still love the sound. However I also love playing my 2B too. It's always a battle as to which one to used on what day. However since my instructor and I were going to play some duets...and she plays a Conn 88HCL, the blend is much nicer with my playing lead on the 3B and her playing around me with a big-round-symphonic-tone-that-I-hate-her-for-having-when-I-can't. WOW...that felt good.

Good luck with the King!