Expert: Kenton Scott - 12/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: You mentioned you know this horn.  I can't find any info on it.  My son also has an opportunity to buy one in excellent condition - some dents, 2 on bell and a couple other dings, but the slide was swift and free moving. He is a 2nd year trombone student and loves looking at old horns. I would like to know the year of this trombone and perhaps a website where I can learn more about it.  Thanks.

ANSWER: The easiest place to refer you to is the King section of www.horn-u-copia.net.  http://www.horn-u-copia.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=White

There you will find examples of many King horns and company history etc.  Plus there are links to other King sites.

And you can look up the age of the horn by the serial number on http://www.horn-u-copia.net/Kinglist.html

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again, thanks for the info on the King 605.  We found locally a Super Pan American Elkhart with a serial # 191172.  From the best I can tell, it looks like a 1949 horn, but again, I'm having a hard time finding Pan American info.  I read this was Conn's student line.  My son was able to play it and it has a great sound.   The slide isn't perfect, but it's not bad.  We are also looking at a 4H Artists Special with a serial #323106 - looks like 1938-1939.  We won't be able to personally see this one, but the owner says the slide is in perfect condition.  I wonder whether there is a major difference in the quality of these two horns.  If we like the Pan - will we LOVE the 4H?  Thanks!

Answer
You are correct in all your findings.  The Pan Am, was Conn's student line, but were nevertheless darn good horns.  And, the Conn's were intended for the professional during those time periods.  

Will the owner of the Conn allow you to have it for a trial period?  It is 10 years older than the Pan AM, and you know the condition of it.  I'm guessing that the Pan Am may be the 68H, which is supposed to be the same bore size as the 4H.

Tough decision