TromboneChat

I own an Olds Super and a Conn 48H, as well as an Olds Special and a YSL 354. But I recently picked up a King 606, and it has unexpectedly become my jazz horn of choice. I think the story is worth telling.

I’m an old baritone player, so I’ve been looking for a 3B with valve section for awhile. I finally found a nice one a few weeks ago- and then thought “if I had a slide that would fit this, I’d really be in business!” Did a bit of research, and discovered that a 606 slide would fit the 3B bell. So I found a nearly-new 606 locally, and that slide is as good as I’ve ever played. After playing it on the 3b bell for a few days, I began to wonder how it would sound on the 606. Well, it plays and sounds great! Now I’ve come to prefer the 606 over my other four small bore tenor horns. I didn’t expect this at all- had eschewed the 606s as a “student” horn. This horn is free blowing, slots well, very responsive, and has a nice, big sound for combo work. It’s well balanced, not too heavy, and a pleasure to play. Maybe I just got a really good one- I haven’t played any others in years, but I’m digging it!

But now I STILL don’t have a slide for my 3B.

I find that almost every horn has redeeming qualities. I've only ever played one horn that made me recoil instantly - Kanstul 760. Others took longer to figure out why I wouldn't keep them. I have a rotation of classic small bores, and every week i have a new favorite. Maybe if I had a Greenhoe GC2 or a Rath R2 that would change.

I agree! There's a little something I like about all of them. This is just the right tool for me in the present setting : )

Glad you found this gem. I also purchased a used King 606 (S/N 9775xx, ~1985) from a reputable music store at a very low price. I planned to give this trombone to a needy student. But it plays so well, and the slide is so good, I'm unwilling to let it go yet. Right now it's sitting in my trombone room adjacent to my King 2B (1958) and my King 3BF (~1976). King makes (made) great trombones (says this "Conn guy")!