King 4B Discontinued?

[heinamj]

Just happened to notice something missing at: https://connselmer.com/instruments/trombones

Was there an announcement?

[tbonesullivan]

They are redoing their website right now, as lots of google links to their catalog are now broken. The 4B has never been the most popular of the King Horns, and ultimately sales determines what they continue to make. Bach 42s and Conn 88hs are probably the vast majority of the "Large bore" trombones that they make. The King 2B and 3B are far to legendary to ever go away, but the same is not so for the 4B.

[Bach5G]

I’m sure I haven’t seen anyone with a new 4B for years.

[Kingfan]

I’m sure I haven’t seen anyone with a new 4B for years.

I grew up in the era when the 4B, 88H, and 42B were considered the three go-to large bores.

[Finetales]

I'd be surprised if anyone except schools (I know the Ohio State marching band uses straight 4Bs) have bought a new 4B in the last two decades. Though I feel the same way about of Conn-Selmer's current lineup...Bach 50B2, all the tubas and American baritones, etc.

[heinamj]

I wasn't surprised because I know the King large bores never kept up (hence Benge 165F, 190F...)

I still remember getting my 4B in high school and the band director asking me to show it off. I've only ever owned Kings from the 70's. But, even I'm thinking of getting a used Yamaha.

[JohnL]

I'd be surprised if anyone except schools (I know the Ohio State marching band uses straight 4Bs) have bought a new 4B in the last two decades. Though I feel the same way about of Conn-Selmer's current lineup...Bach 50B2, all the tubas and American baritones, etc.

I think the American baritones are mostly going to midwestern college marching bands, too.

[Tromboned]

I'd be surprised if anyone except schools (I know the Ohio State marching band uses straight 4Bs) have bought a new 4B in the last two decades. Though I feel the same way about of Conn-Selmer's current lineup...Bach 50B2, all the tubas and American baritones, etc.

Ohio State switched to Conn 8H's a few years ago. The 4B's are from the late 90's.

[Finetales]

Another 4B costumer bites the dust.

[Kbiggs]

The death of a sound. Capitalism is a b*tch.

My first large bore horn was a used 4B that I played throughout college. I liked it, but I when I moved, everybody played Bachs or Conns, so I re-tooled.

It’s a shame, really, that it has gone out of vogue. To my mind’s ear, Kings produce a sound that is kind of like a Conn or a Bach trombone and kind of like some German trombones, but not like either. Not quite like an American bulldozer, and not quite like a German horn with the brightness and shimmer that can soar over the top of an orchestra playing fff and still be heard. Neither fish nor fowl, as the saying goes. I’ll have to find my old Cleveland SO recordings.

[tbonesullivan]

I'd be surprised if anyone except schools (I know the Ohio State marching band uses straight 4Bs) have bought a new 4B in the last two decades. Though I feel the same way about of Conn-Selmer's current lineup...Bach 50B2, all the tubas and American baritones, etc.

I still can't believe that Bach even makes the 50B2 anymore, without split trigger no less. Honestly a 50B is better than that wrap with tiny valves and ports. At least the 50B2O has split triggers.

[henrysa]

Discontinued doesn't mean it will not remain a great and unique horn. With proper promotion it would still be in demand. All ya gotta do is pick one up and play it, then decide for yourself. I dare say, it made me sound like a better player than I am, and it still does. Alas, you can't argue with supply and demand, but you can wax nostalgic.

[bassbone1993]

Kinda surprised that the duo gravis never got the same treatment as the new 2bs and 3bs

[Finetales]

Kinda surprised that the duo gravis never got the same treatment as the new 2bs and 3bs

With Conn-Selmer's streamlining of the brands, King is focused on the small jazz horns (which is probably why the 4B is going away). I doubt there is enough of a market for a new "jazz bass" for C-S to consider bringing back the DG, especially as they'd have to change the design significantly. Probably not worth it. They also may not have the mandrels anymore.

I think the most we'll ever see is maybe O'Malley bells on a 6B mandrel, but even that seems pretty unlikely. The DG faithful are a pretty small crowd these days.

[bassbone1993]

Kinda surprised that the duo gravis never got the same treatment as the new 2bs and 3bs

With Conn-Selmer's streamlining of the brands, King is focused on the small jazz horns (which is probably why the 4B is going away). I doubt there is enough of a market for a new "jazz bass" for C-S to consider bringing back the DG, especially as they'd have to change the design significantly. Probably not worth it. They also may not have the mandrels anymore.

I think the most we'll ever see is maybe O'Malley bells on a 6B mandrel, but even that seems pretty unlikely. The DG faithful are a pretty small crowd these days.

Very true. For what it's worth when I was getting a 6B (before USPS lost it) O'malley was interested in taking measurements of the bell.

[Finetales]

Very true. For what it's worth when I was getting a 6B (before USPS lost it) O'malley was interested in taking measurements of the bell.

An O'Malley 6B bell would be great! What I would really love to see from them is a 70H/72H mandrel.

[2bobone]

"The DG faithful are a pretty small crowd these days."

Wow ! I've always wanted to be in an exclusive club !! Count me in !!

[PNeiteler]

Just happened to notice something missing at: https://connselmer.com/instruments/trombones

Was there an announcement?

I can’t find any Holton trombone on the Conn-Selmer page. Is this the end of the Holton brand as well?

[bassbone1993]

Just happened to notice something missing at: https://connselmer.com/instruments/trombones

Was there an announcement?

I can’t find any Holton trombone on the Conn-Selmer page. Is this the end of the Holton brand as well?

Probably. CS is pretty much Conn-Bach as far as trombones go. Shame since I generally preferred Holton over Conn and sometimes bach.

[mellobone]

I looked through a current dealer pricelist at the music store I work at and didn't see the 4B

[heinamj]

I looked through a current dealer pricelist at the music store I work at and didn't see the 4B

Last of the .547+ Kings… RIP

[spencercarran]

Just happened to notice something missing at: https://connselmer.com/instruments/trombones

Was there an announcement?

I can’t find any Holton trombone on the Conn-Selmer page. Is this the end of the Holton brand as well?

Holton trombones have been out of production for years now.

[octavposaune]

Hi All, I was inquiring with Conn-Selmer about parts recently and they said the 4B was discontinued last April. Before Selmer bought UMI they had discontinued all the King basses in 1996... I briefly owned a 1991 2106 (6B) so thry were made until the early 90s at least.

Benn