King 2102PL vs 2115 difference?

[Sniffynose]

Can anyone tell me the difference between these 2 horns?

Thanks

[Sniffynose]

Haven’t been able to find anything except maybe the 2115 was a red brass bell.

[Finetales]

2115s could have yellow bells too, while 2102PLs came in yellow, gold, or Sterling silver. I think the biggest difference is that the 2115 has an all yellow brass outer slide, while the 2102PL outer slide is sometimes all yellow, sometimes nickel with yellow brass crook (I've seen pictures of both). Both are lightweight slides. The outer slide material seems to be the only real difference other than the model number (2115 was the first 2B Plus, starting I think in the '80s).

Interestingly, the 2B Plus/2102PL is gone from the Conn-Selmer website and seems to be discontinued, but the 3B Plus is still listed (as is its stealth twin, the 607F). I would think that the 2B+ would be the better seller between the two.

[BGuttman]

Point of information: 607/608 predates the 3B Plus or 2125.

[TromboneMonkey]

The 2115 is older. They were discontinued and reintroduced at some point as the 2102PL. I've liked the 2115s and Jiggs horns I've played from that era more than the newer versions of the same horns I've tried. Charlie Morillas' old Jiggs from that era (still has the yellow lacquer) is the best King I've ever played.

[Sniffynose]

Great info, thanks.

[Cmillar]

During a lesson with Ian McDougall in the '80's in Toronto, I snuck a few notes in on his horn when he left the room to take care of something else. (....hey!....don't tell him!... I can hear his voice now!)

It was a King 2B Plus. He'd helped design that horn, apparently.

He'd been a 2B Silver Sonic user his whole career, then went to the 2B Plus and had some input on its' development. Had a desktop full of leadpipes they'd sent him to experiment with too.

After a couple of notes I had to put it down.... it was just too nice! I didn't want to know any more about how nice it was.

Played too easily and beautifully. I had to put it back on the stand. Made me realize I wasn't 'crazy' about some things. I could play! That horn was a revelation.

So, as luck has it I got hold of a great King 2B HN White Liberty from the '50's a year or so later.

(That's the one horn I shouldn't have let get away, but I became allergic to the worn down metal. Burned my hand after a few years of use! Guess I could have had it repaired in hindsight)

Hmm... but a great shape King 2B plus would be nice if I couldn't find a nice playing 2B sometime!

[Sniffynose]

I played a gig with him a few years back but for some reason I didn’t pay attention to the horn he brought. It might have been a yammy

[ithinknot]

the 2102PL outer slide is sometimes all yellow, sometimes nickel with yellow brass crook (I've seen pictures of both)

There are nickel outers in catalog photos - Jiggs slide? - but has anyone seen anything other than all yellow out in the wild?

[Cmillar]

I played a gig with him a few years back but for some reason I didn’t pay attention to the horn he brought. It might have been a yammy

Yes, Ian switched to the Yamaha 697Z back when it came out. He calls it a "2B but better".

That's a debate question.

[Finetales]

There are nickel outers in catalog photos - Jiggs slide? - but has anyone seen anything other than all yellow out in the wild?

Yeah, I thought at first that all 2102PLs had the nickel outers because of the retail pictures, but I've only seen them outside of catalogs with all yellow slides (still with 2102PL on the bell).

[Slidennis]

I think someone from here is going to steal the 2115 that is to be sold on eBay at the moment...