AboutMike Pawul Expertise I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
Question I've got a beautiful King Silver Flair given to me by my father that I plan to play for many, many years. The serial number is 440285. I've done some research and found that this dates the horn somewhere between 1965-1970, during what looks like the peak era for Kings, if I'm not mistaken. Is there any way you could tell me the exact year of manufacture of this horn?
Answer Connor, It is almost impossible to give you an exact time of build on your horn. Best estimate would place it at 1969. It should have the engraving that lists Eastlake and not Cleveland as the King home. King moved in 1967 to their new factory in Eastlake Ohio. It was one the last of the great King models before UMI changed the design on the Flair to an intermediate horn.
