king 2280

[Casca Grossa]

So today I returned from teaching "in person" lessons, and it was time to start a virtual lesson from the house, and as I sat down at my computer I realized my packer Euphonium was in my car truck in the Garage. Oh well, I saw my king 2280 leaning against the wall and grabbed that and a large shank MP. By some miracle, the valves still worked, even though I probably haven't touched that horn in 18 months.

I played a little on it with my student, and damn, I forgot how good it is. The valves are short action and very light. The intonation is darn near perfect, and with the 5th valve I put on it, I have a full chromatic scale all the way down as far as I would ever need to go. It's open and free blowing in all ranges.

Here's the deal. It's not a british Euph tone. It will never sound like besson, an adams, or anything like that. If that's what you need, this ain't it. It's its own unique tone, and I'm sure that's what has caused it to be a forgotten model. Tubas all have different characteristics, and that's ok, but we are all programmed to reject any euphonium that doesn't sound like every other one.

With 4 valves in the right hand, you could think of it more like a doublers instrument, as no self respecting "REAL" euphonium player would be caught dead playing it.

I don't plan on selling my excelent packer 274, and I'm damn sure not going to sell this one, but it's nice to have around. I might start using the king as my teaching horn, and still use the packer for ensemble playing, when section blend matters more.

[LibraryMark]

Who put hat 5th valve on it for you? I've got three 2280's and I agree - they are great horns.

[LeMark]

I did it myself. I used the 4th valve and tubing off of a miraphone euphonium

[bone-a-phone]

Where's the trigger, I'm not seeing it.

[LeMark]

My thumb of my left hand is so close to that valve I just put that post on it to move the valve directly. No linkage needed, but I did have to put on a pull back spring

[grayax]

I play mine like a bass tuba half the time, so I just pull the 4th valve slides and have fun (I even used it as a contrabass in a parade once when out tuba player didn'tshow up). I definitely think it is an underrated horn, but I also see why it's not as well liked.

[Bob Kolada]

I like them and would love to see a front piston valve version (.590ish?). iirc, they're setup to pull the 4th slide out and use a 3rd kicker in the low range, not unlike those little Conn contrabasses.

I picked up a used Selman comp euph several years ago. It took me a while but one day using a 'tweener' mouth piece (a JK KBP 2C) just popped for me. I want to try a 3 series on my Eb valved thing someday; the 2C is a great large mp for euph and bass trombone. I also have a 2A that is too much for the Bb horns and doesn't quite fit my bobhorn.