Help Identifying a King tuba model

[Udi]

Hey there, I'm trying to help someone with a King tuba and would appreciate your input.





Is this a 2341W? It seems that usually the model number is engraved under the King logo, but here it isn't.
It has a serial # 45 444XXX, I understand it means it was manufactured in 1995 (prefix number +50 is year of manufacture - http://www.horn-u-copia.net/serial/Kinglist.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank). I haven't seen in person or played this horn yet. How are Kings made after the 70's? Is it true the brass is softer on new horns? I've only played their vintage horns, though not this specific model (trombones, a CC tuba, sousaphones) and loved them. Their old horns also had a special color to their laquer, a little orange and more deep. A pitty they now make them in a more standard yellow gold.

Do you think the detachable bell can be a problem or would you say it doesn't make a big difference as long as it fits well?

[Kirley]

That's a 2341. Old-style.

[Dan Schultz]

That's an early 2341 that was probably made in Abeline, Texas prior to the move to Cleveland. Production records were sketchy at best.

[Udi]

Thank you all for your answers and useful information!

[iiipopes]

Conn is who went to Abilene, not King, which became - KMI - UMI - etc., precursors to the Cyborg after the employees bought out the company from Mrs. White when she wanted to retire.

[The Big Ben]

Thank you all for your answers and useful information!

As others have said, the detachable bell is looked down upon by some but that is kind of a fashion thing. A detachable bell 2341 (or 2340- 3v) is a little taller. The front facing recording bell tuba used to be very popular here in the US but it has fallen out of favor. The recording bell is good for playing outside where an upright bell would be pointing the sound up into the clouds. The forward facing bell is sending the sound to the audience. A recording bell does not fit easily into a gig bag and it can't be stood on its bell like an upright bell tuba

(BTW: It is called a 'recording bell" from the days when microphones were not used in recording studios and the bell had to be directed right at the recording machine in order to be heard. So, instead of being directed at the ceiling, the sound was sent forward to the recording machine.)

[The Big Ben]

Oh, yeah.... Replacing the buttons without pearls should be easy. Right off the shelf at a music dealer. Not sure if you can get pearls all by themselves and not sure about availability in Israel but they are available online if a local dealer cannot get them for you.

[Udi]

Thanks, The Big Ben. I played a lot of outside gigs with a tuba earlier in my life, and the front facing bell of a sousaohone was a great relief. I know the history of recording bells, and I'm fond of them. if I didn't have enough tubas as it is I might enjoy a tuba like this one, get myself a recording bell and switch according to the kind of show I'm playing.
These days, almost all my concerts are with my sousaphone, and I use my tuba mostly for recordings.

[Dan Schultz]

Conn is who went to Abilene....

Correct. However.... UMI did some very strange stuff during the transition. I saw King stuff in the Nogales, AZ UMI factory as late as 2002. The particular bell on the horn in question does not conform to the other 1240/2340 King bells inasmuch as it has no wire in the rim and is badges simply 'USA'. It was also had a 19" flare instead of the normal 21 1/2" flare.

The Abilene factory was so short-lived I don't think anyone knows for certain exactly what was produced there.

At any rate... the horn pictured was made during a very strange period and it's hard telling where the components were made regardless of the badge it wears.

[roweenie]

I don't know much about King tubas, but the first (only) horn I ever bought new was a King, in 1979.

(I recall Mr. Butterfield telling me I didn't need to waste my money on a 4th valve, but that's a different story....)

I also recall it still had the curly cue in the 3rd valve circuit, the longer 1st valve circuit upper crook, and came with the smaller diameter upright detachable bell. In addition, since I had to wait over 4 months for it, I've got to assume it was made sometime after my order.

FWIW