Are silver tones as good as silversonic?

E
Elow
Posts: 1924
Joined: Mar 02, 2020

by Elow »

I’ve seen a couple go for quite a bit less than the traditional silversonic 2B and i’m wondering why. Is it that the slides are normally in worse shape or another reason? Do they have to same characteristics?
K
Kingfan
Posts: 1371
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by Kingfan »

I think King changed the name to Silversonic in the early 50s as Sears had the rights to the name Silvertone. So yeah, a Silvertone would be at almost 70 years old or older and most likely more worn than a newer horn. I have no idea about the playing characteristics, though.
B
Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Still good horns, but probably going to have more wear. I wouldn't class them as any lower than a Silversonic.
P
paulyg
Posts: 689
Joined: May 17, 2018

by paulyg »

I always thought the Silvertones did not have solid silver bells, while the Silversonics did.
H
harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

No they both had solid sterling bells
B
BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

[quote="paulyg"]I always thought the Silvertones did not have solid silver bells, while the Silversonics did.[/quote]

Sears Silvertone trombones (yes, they did exist) did not have silver bells. King Silvertone trombones had Sterling Silver bells.
D
DaveAshley
Posts: 240
Joined: Aug 01, 2018

by DaveAshley »

The early *KING* Silvertone had a smaller bore than the 2B, so they aren't as sought-after. The 2B version (after the mid-1930's) are basically the same as the SilverSonic. Little changes happened through the years, like a slightly shorter tuning slide crook and lighter bell. The best sterling bell King I ever played was a Silvertone from 1940-41. I'm quite certain it still has the same owner 20 years later.

I have an unusually lightweight 2B SilverSonic bell section (must've been a custom order) that plays exactly like my brass bell, but with more sparkle and zing. (Sorry, I just wanted to use those words...it's true though!)
D
djkennedy
Posts: 385
Joined: Apr 15, 2018

by djkennedy »

Ha ha

Are original Strad violins

Better than new violins

Are old Martin guitars ??????

Old Bourbon???????

How about the engraving????
A
Amconk
Posts: 279
Joined: Jun 14, 2018

by Amconk »

[quote="djkennedy"]Ha ha

Are original Strad violins

Better than new violins

Are old Martin guitars ??????

Old Bourbon???????

How about the engraving????[/quote]

Yes.

Meh.

Heck yes.

Engraving is like chrome. It adds horsepower.