[Trombone-l] Duo Gravis -- what model???

[Eric & Candice Swanson]

Elliott Moxley wrote:

>Back in the late '60s I bought a King 1480 "Symphony Tenor (Bass)
>Trombone", quotes are from the catalog that I finally found it in at the
>time.  My high school had one, and I wanted to have one of my own for
>college.  The instrument had a .536 bore, a size I've never seen since, 
>and used a large shank mouthpiece.  The bell throat was such that it had a
>pretty decent bass 'bone sound, especially with a 1 1/2 G.   At the time
>the 1490 was the other King bass, and was known as the Duo Gravis.  As far
>as I know, neither the 1480 or 1490 had a "B" number at the time, although
>the 1490 apparently later became the 6B.  I've seen a mention of the 5B,
>but IIRC that was a 4B with a larger bell. 
>
>Was the 1480 a design that eventually got tweaked, bore and bell taper,
>into becoming the 4B?  It seems that the 1480 dropped out of sight when the
>4B came along.
>  
>

Elliot,

I found a King catalog I have old enough to answer your question.  It 
lists the 1404 as the 4B also, and the 1480 as the 5B.  Of course by 
this time the 1480 (5B) is up to .547" bore.  Not sure the year, but I 
believe it is late 70s.

Also lists the 1490 as the Dou Gravis.

Later catalogs call them the 2102 (2B), 2103 (3B), 2104 (4B), 2105 (5B), 
2106 (6B).

Eric Swanson