Playing characteristics of King 2341

[Too Loud]

I posted a thread last week asking all of you what the pros and cons of the King 2341 clone sold by Dillon Music are. I thank those of you who responded to that thread as your commentary helped me to hone-in on what question I should have asked:

If the horn in question is a clone of the King 2341, then what are the playing characteristics of the King 2341?

I know that the following observations are subject to opinion; however, what I need is for those of you who play or have played the new version of the King 2341 to confirm or contest these observations.

Since I have never played a King 2341, I must draw on how certain attributes affect a tuba's sound. For example, smaller bore and bell sizes often produce a brigher, sweeter, & more cantabile sound; rotary valves typically produce a darker sound then piston valves do. Larger bore sizes typically can produce larger sounds, useful in bands and orchestras.

It seems to me that the small bore size of the King 2341 would give it a smaller, more soloistic sound; however, its large bell diameter would mellow-out some of that bright, soloistic sound. Wouldn't these attributes make this a versatile tuba, decent-sounding enough for solo music while blending well into large-ensembles? It might not have the huge sound of a 0.830" bore-sized horn, but it would still mix well in a large ensemble. The valve slide wrap of the King 2341 also seems very open, thus making it a fairly open, easy-blowing horn.

Thank you,

Christopher

[WilliamVance]

I used to own a new style 2341 and it was a good tuba for all around playing... The small bore is good for focusing sound with less air and you can get edgy easier than on a larger bore tuba. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on the style of music you are going for. Ultimately, I sold the King, and when I started getting serious about playing again, I didn't buy another one. I do enjoy my old-style king 2341 valve section mounted on a Martin Mammoth 6/4 body. It combines the response in the mid and high ranges of a small bore with the mellow and sweet sound American tubas are known for. My advice: go play some tubas, somewhere, and choose from there. With the cost of a nicer 2341 in the 4-5-almost $6,000 range, a plane ticket or road trip would be worth the expense. Selling and shipping tubas you don't like can get expensive.

[Sandlapper]

I play a King 2341 new style. The pitch is spot on. I get a good low register on the KIng, better than I do an old Miraphone 186, especially below the low F. The valves were stiff and clanky when I got the horn, but the Instrument Docs in Charleston SC changed out the valve guides to MW nylon ones and the springs to Yamaha springs (a recommendation for another King new style 2341 owner a year or two ago on this site). The repair guys recommended that I go with a thicker valve oil, and with Hetman's #3 the horn has be a delight to play. The valves are fast and quiet, and significant less stress on my arthritic finger joints. The pitch is spot on and as a general rule when I aim as something I hit it. The sound is gorgeous with a Blokepiece Symphony Euro Shank Fair Dinkum #2 rim.

The horn comes with a decent mouthpiece, a King 18, though before I got the Blokepiece I preferred the Helleberg to the 18.

This is the first horn I have been able to play a three octave chromatic scale low C to C above the staff on. It has a good sound at ppp and doesn't blat at FFF. I also play a 186, which is a horn I also enjoy, but I don't have the bottom end or the accuracy of pitch with the 186 that I do with the 2341. I like both horns, but the King is definitely easier to play and I think I get a richer sound. The King is an excellent horn. YMMV but I don't think you would go wrong with one -- my opinion.

Best of Luck