King 2103 SGX

[Dickie]

I own a King 2103SGX….. SILVER SUPERSONIC. I bought it brand new IN 2005. Is the bell completely silver? Is the silver content the same as the ones made in the 20th century?

[BGuttman]

SGX usually referred to electroformed silver (deposited by electroplating). Electroformed silver bells are 100% silver, much like the electroformed copper Conn bells are 100% copper.

SilverSonic (and before 1950 Silvertone) bells are made of Sterling silver, 92.5% silver.

Pure silver is generally softer and more prone to dents than Sterling, which is alloyed with copper. Treat your 3B gently.

[MrHCinDE]

Are you sure about the SGX being electroformed and not just the same basic construction as the S variant (sterling silver sheet) with added gold wash + other accents?

I couldn’t find any detail on the SGX on the king website but Hickey‘s supports my theory:

https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tr ... -trim-.php

[BGuttman]

I am not sure. SGX was used for Conn and Bach. No idea if it was used for King.

[Dennis]

My recollection is that SGX was used by King and Conn to indicate gold wash on the inside of the bell and gold plating on other accoutrements (tuning slide). Bell construction was two-piece sterling silver sheet metal. I think Bach used "X" as a suffix to indicate their sterling-plus (i.e., pure silver) electroformed bell. Those electroformed bells are notoriously soft because .999 Ag is inherently a soft metal, because it's electroformed and so is also prone to voids in the structure, and finally because it's a lightweight bell.

OP can confirm this by checking for a seam where the stem and bell flare were joined. An electroformed bell will not show any sign of a brazed joint. A silver bell formed from sheet silver isn't going to be as prone to denting as an electroformed silver bell.

[harrisonreed]

SGX was used by King during the time when they weren't calling 2B's "2B's", but using 4 digit numbers.

[BGuttman]

SGX was used by King during the time when they weren't calling 2B's "2B's", but using 4 digit numbers.

Dunno. They were labeling 2B's as 2102 back in the mid 1980s. My 1980 King 7B had 2107 on the bell.

[Burgerbob]

I am not sure. SGX was used for Conn and Bach. No idea if it was used for King.

SGX was never used for Bach.

[sacfxdx]

If it's silver it should have the Sterling mark on it. My 1960's 3B SilverSonic does.

[UATrombone]

Bach electroformed silver bell name is/was "Silver plus".
Conn silver bell made of sheet is "SGX".