King Super 20 Tenor 349xxx

Description

This is a super-clean, original lacquer King Super 20 with solid silver, double-socket neck. It is one of the nicest Super 20’s that I have seen, and the whole horn, neck, and case all look remarkably clean. I see no evidence of any past repairs or damage to the horn. It just looks great. The current pads are also in good condition and look like they haven’t been played much, so this should be good to go for quite some time without a repad being needed. If you have been looking for a nice Super 20 tenor, but you have been frustrated that most of the available options looked really beat, look no further. This one is very clean and problem-free.

This is an early series 3 Super 20 tenor, just after the end of the pearl side keys. It has the improved left hand pinky cluster that is quite modern-feeling, and it is otherwise basically the same horn as what we call the “Series II” minus the pearl side keys. The neck and bore are the same, and the neck on this horn is particularly nice, still retaining some of its original factory gold overcoat on the solid silver.

The tone of this horn is classic Super 20 from the best era. It has that warm, medium bright, full-bodied, projecting sound that people love in these horns. It is also surprisingly versatile. With a large chamber piece, you get the warmth of some earlier vintage horns (like a Selmer Balanced Action, actually) plus the focus and power of the King thing. The silver neck adds some focus and punch to the mix. With a brighter mouthpiece, like a Berg Larsen, you get the classic, screaming rock and rolll tenor sound in plenty. It’s so fun to play either style on the Super 20, which is what makes these horns so perennially popular.

So this is a rare chance to get a clean, beautiful, problem-free example of a King Super 20 tenor in excellent condition, including a gorgeous red and black leather original case (I really wish someone made cases like this today, though in today’s dollars, cases like this would cost $5-600). If you want to add a modern BAM or Hiscox case too for safer shipping, I’d be happy to work with you on a package deal at a great price. Grab this one before it’s gone. It is even nicer in person than it looks in the photos.