Need ID on possible fake king 2b

A
AngusG
Posts: 3
Joined: May 20, 2025

by AngusG »

Hi all,

I recently picked up a trombone that has all the hallmarks of a king 2b Jiggs, but I'm slightly concerned it's a knockoff due to a few oddities.

Firstly there's no indication of the model of the horn on the bell, just a simple embossed king logo. I have heard that this was more common after the conn-selmer takeover, can anyone confirm this?

The second is the serial, 10286. According to lists on conn-selmer's website, if this was an HN white trombone then it would be pre 1915, which seems highly unlikely given the build and condition. However, apparently after 999,999 the serials rolled over straight to 100,xxx which would not permit the number that I have here. I’ve attached a few photos (hopefully they've linked correctly) that hopefully give a better picture.

If you have any information at all of what this might be, or when it was made, that would be hugely helpful.

Thanks!

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdc6vu

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdc6vE

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdbZD5

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdcyJj

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdaXH5

[url]https://flic.kr/p/2rdc8gd
C
Chazzer69
Posts: 296
Joined: Jul 06, 2019

by Chazzer69 »

D
DaveAshley
Posts: 240
Joined: Aug 01, 2018

by DaveAshley »

Probably a custom build.

It’s a real King.
I
ithinknot
Posts: 1339
Joined: Jul 24, 2020

by ithinknot »

[quote="Chazzer69"]I had a similar question a while back. See here: <LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=253391&hilit=2b#p253391">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=253391&hilit=2b#p253391</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]

Yep, as I said on the linked thread, there are a decent number of these out there... the Jiggs spec as a special order before it was sold as an official model.
A
AngusG
Posts: 3
Joined: May 20, 2025

by AngusG »

Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find!
T
tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

[quote="AngusG"]Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find![/quote] The numbers on the slide are to match the inner and outer. The real serial should be on the bell section.

The bell section also has the infamous yellow lacquer on it, so it's definitely real.
C
Chazzer69
Posts: 296
Joined: Jul 06, 2019

by Chazzer69 »

[quote="AngusG"]Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find![/quote]

Just curious, is the bell super lightweight on yours? Mine is crazy light. I'm almost afraid to handle it! I think this is a 2B Jiggs feature but not entirely sure.
A
AngusG
Posts: 3
Joined: May 20, 2025

by AngusG » (edited 2025-06-26 4:49 p.m.)

[quote="Chazzer69"]<QUOTE author="AngusG" post_id="279638" time="1750956738" user_id="19509">
Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find![/quote]

Just curious, is the bell super lightweight on yours? Mine is crazy light. I'm almost afraid to handle it! I think this is a 2B Jiggs feature but not entirely sure.
</QUOTE>

Yes! It’s incredibly lightweight, and presumably per the Jiggs spec it’s also very compact. Just took it out for a gig and this made for a very comfortable play. The sound is BRIGHT.