1950 King H. N. White Super 20 Symphony DB Trumpet

Description

1950 KING Super 20 Symphony Dual Bore Bb Trumpet with Sterling Silver Leadpipe.
This 70 year old trumpet is a great player whatever your musical style. It is an early production Symphony DB. The Symphony model was introduced in 1949 as a premium addition to the Super 20 line. This one has some obviously having tired lacquer but it still plays like new. H.N. White designed the Symphony model to be their top-of-the-line trumpet so there are many great features. It has a one piece, hand hammered yellow brass bell and a leadpipe made of solid sterling silver (no red rot possible). The slide tubing is nickel silver, so again very durable with no red rot possible. The horn's dual bore design is ingenious. It blows easily like a ML rather than a large bore, but up high she can really open up with none of the stuffiness found in so many otherwise good trumpets. For that reason the King Symphony DB makes a fine lead horn and has been favored by many outstanding jazz and lead players including Harry James, Buck Clayton and Charlie Shavers.
The yellow brass bell on this example produces a lovely, clear tone that blends well with modern Bach and Yamaha trumpets and is super responsive. It can easily be played at a whisper soft as well as an awesome fff. The Symphony model was offered with an optional sterling silver bell (which this one does not have) that provides added tonal brilliance. The sterling silver bell was an option on top King models going back to the early 1920's. It's a great choice for a soloist needing to cut through a band. They're not so great however for section playing or for orchestral music since sterling silver produces a particularly distinctive, attention getting sound rather than one that readily blends.
All the valves and slides on this horn feel great and the water keys are like new. The second valve slide shows the only evidence of previous dent repair. Additionally there is one small ping in the bell tubing near the first valve. The gold lacquer finish may or may not be original. I checked and King did offer the gold lacquer as an option so I can't say for certain. If the old lacquer is not an issue then great but if it bothers you, then re-lacquering such a fine instrument as this makes sense. I believe it has many good years left. No mouthpiece or the original case is included. It will come in a brand new Gig Bag and be well packed and promptly shipped. Free shipping to the lower 48 states only.