
King Jiggs Whigham Trombones
New King Legend Series
King trombones are known worldwide as one the most historic and highest regarded instruments on the market. The King Jiggs Whigham model 2BL trombone is built with a classic jazz trombone style in mind. Preferred by legendaryjazz trombone artist Jiggs Whigham, it features a yellow brass bell which creates a quick response and subtle brilliance. Built around the 2B model bell. the King Jiggs Whigham model features a straight .491″ bore Lightweight slide (compared to the .481″/.491″ dual bore, standard weight slide of the 2B). The King Jiggs model also does not use the counterbalance weight on the main tuning slide (though one can be bought separately).
Additional Information
King Legend Revitalization
The new King “Legend Series” of trombones are a tribute back to the vintage King models. King has brought back the removable counterweight option (not included on the King Jiggs Whigham model, but can be purchased as an accessory) and vintage inspired engraving.
A new lightweight pro series case has also replaced the bulky wood-shell cases.
Short Tuning Slide Option
The King Jiggs Whigham model is available with either a standard tuning slide (model 2BL) or with a short tuning slide (2BLS). Jiggs himself uses the short slide which is designed to allow the player to have a true slide based vibrato in first position.
Made in the USA
The King Jiggs Whigham model is still built in the USA at the Eastlake, Ohio brass factory of Conn-Selmer.
King Jiggs Whigham Trombone Specifications
Country of Manufacture | Made 100% in the USA |
Bore | .491″ Bore Slide |
Bell | 7 3/8″ One-Piece Yellow Brass Bell |
Slide | Lightweight Nickel-Silver Outer Slide |
Finish | Lacquer |
Warranty | 2 Year Warranty covering defects in workmanship and materials. |
Included Accessories | King Case & Mouthpiece |
History of the King Brand
Henderson White, founder of the HN White Company, started his business as a proprietor of a small repair shop in Cleveland, Ohio. With the help of Mr. Thomas King, a local trombone player, White developed his first trombone in 1894. This was viewed in the market as a “revelation” to the music world due to its radically different bell, bore, and mouthpipe designs. Players loved the “King” trombone because the slide was smoother and lighter than any other.
These instruments gained immediate success with professionals including Al Pinard, the trombone soloist with Arthur Pryor’s Band. In 1909, the HN White Company developed a “Department of Acoustical Research” with the goal of developing higher quality instruments. As production grew, King became known for brass and woodwind instruments. From 1917-1918, the HN White Company was the sole provider of saxophones for the US military during World War I. In the 1920’s, King would even become the first US manufacturer of French horns.
When Henderson died in 1940, control was taken over by Edna White, the first women executive officer in the male dominated music industry. Under her leadership the company flourished. As most company’s production of brass products halted during World War II, Edna was able to secure two major government contracts making radar units and proximity fuses that kept the factories running.
Coming out of the war, King instruments saw great popularity in the 40’s and 50’s with names like Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Ziggy Elman, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, and Charlie “The Bird” Parker. In 1951, the King 3B trombone was introduced and today is still the world’s top selling jazz trombone.
In 1964, production of King Instruments was moved to Eastlake, Ohio outside of Cleveland where they are still made to this day.
Financing Available
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