TromboneChat

I am interested to know more about the SGX bells from the 90s-2000s, if anyone is able to assist with my curiosity (and correct me if I'm wrong). With King specifically it's difficult to parse out the differences between the older Silver Sonic horns and the SGX horns.

I understand that the Conn 88HSGX Bells were electroformed silver with inner gold plate from Anderson Plating (is this correct?). If that's the case, are the King 2102SGX and 2103SGX bells made the same way, or were they made the traditional method of simply gold plating the inner bell of a silver-belled king made from a sheet of silver?

Also, it seems like the newer 88H-S and King 2B-S/3B-S horns are made using the sheet metal method (no longer electroformed), but it seems like one can still purchase a 88HSGX (?), so are the new 88HSGX horns made completely differently than the old ones?

SGX bell flairs both King and Conn were not electroformed. They were sheet metal bells. I believe the SGX option ended shortly after the selmer UMI merger into Conn-selmer. The few sterling 62H bells made were built during this time.

Bach sterling plus, old Blessing copper bells and old post Elkhart Conn Coprion bells were electroformed at Anderson plating. Recent announcements from Anderson state that they no longer electroform bells, so that option is gone

The gold plate of SGX models may not have been from Anderson as those horns were built in the Eastlake ohio plant (old UMI PLANT).

Benn

Thanks so much Benn!

I knew about the Bach bells but for some reason thought the 88HSGX was also electroformed. Thanks for the clarification! Makes sense, given the heft of the 88HSGX and 2103SGX horns I've had the chance to play.