Featured Product
KING 'FIDELIO' 2269
£1,970.00
Maker: KING
Model: 2269 ‘Fidelio’
Type: F / Bb full double
Manufactured: approx 1979-1980
Bell throat: medium
Alloy: yellow brass
The main component of the 4th valve linkage, usually plastic on
this model, has been replaced by a much more durable solid brass rod.
Bell flare: detachable
Duck's foot / flipper
Visual / cosmetic condition: ‘generally good, but has seen some use’.
There is some missing, worn and scratched lacquer in the usual places
and where repairs and the bell conversion have been done.
Weight: quite lightweight for a full double with screw bell: 2.55 kg
Case: lightweight 'Paxman / MB style' with backpack straps, in 'much
used' condition.
Further details:
Designed by the legendary USA brass designer George McCracken as
a ‘free-blowing’ horn, this is an excellent, sensitive instrument with
a superb high register, excellent rotor compression and a pure,
ringing tone; it is probably the best ‘sub £2K’
professional-quality instrument I’ve ever come
across!
It is also listed in the 'Intermediate' category on account of its fairly low
price.
NB: OPTIONALLY AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA £130:
a PAXMAN 'M' unlacquered yellow brass flare, its diameter 0.4
centimetres wider than the original King flare. Although weighing only
abut 5 grams more than the latter flare, it sounds and 'feels' different
enough to be a usable, interesting alternative. With the Paxman flare
there is a definite feeling of total 'middle of the note' density and
projection, although the King flare gives slightly more mobility,
technical fluidity and warmth of sound. It can be seen in photo 3.
I played exactly this model of King for several years in the English
Chamber Orchestra, when I was working on ‘scaling down’ the
heaviness of my sound, to 'fit in' with an orchestra that was smaller than
'full symphony' in size.
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