Silvertone versus Silversonic What is the difference?

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NamePlate
Posts: 24
Joined: Nov 18, 2020

by NamePlate »

I've been window shopping the past few days and I keep seeing King silvertones and silversonics but their vintage doesnt seem to overlap. Is the silversonic just a rebranded silvertone, or is it a slightly modified successor to the silvertone?
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Same instruments, silversonic comes after Sears sued HN White for their Silvertone trademark.
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

There are two different Silvertone instruments. A King ir NN White Silvertone is a sterling belled instrument from the late 1940s or earlier. A brass Silvertone was a student grade instrument sold by Sears, Roebuck. Sears trademarked the name before White started using it and thus White lost a trademark lawsuit and was compelled to stop using the name. Thus the sterling belled Kings became SilverSonic.

Do not confuse a Sears trombone with a King trombone. Two different classes of instrument.
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trombonedemon
Posts: 218
Joined: Aug 06, 2018

by trombonedemon »

[quote="BGuttman"]

Do not confuse a Sears trombone with a King trombone. Two different classes of instrument.[/quote]

That would be an epic blunder!!!!