What does "602" stand for?

[Filius]

I've noticed that both Holton and King have a 602 model cornet. Since they're separate brands, I'm assuming the "602" means something and is not just a random model number. Is it some kind of a specification or measurement?

I would appreciate any info, thanks!

[James Becker]

Great question. As an observation many manufacturers define multiple tiers of quality by ascending model numbers.

For example Getzen entry level begin with 390 yellow brass bell, 490 same trumpet with value added gold brass bell. Next level is 590 Capri, followed by 700S Eterna II and 900 Classic Eterna. Ending with 3000 Custom models. With rising number represents an upgrade in features and benefits.

Yamaha entry level trumpets start with 2000 series, 4000 series intermediate, 8000 series professional, and 9000 series Artist or Custom models. In the early years the entry level was 200, intermediate 400, pro lacquered 600 and silver plated 700 models.

Coincidentally Holton and King just happen to start their entry level “beginner” models with 600 series.

I hope this is helpful.
_________________
James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US

[kehaulani]

If I can add, the numbers aren't all parallel from one maker to the next, so just make sure you are aware that the number classifications are relative to each other within a system.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Crazy Finn]

[Ed Kennedy]

[Crazy Finn]

[Bflatman]

The truth is really boring

Manufacturers have what is often called annual process.

The directors get together each year to decide what new models they might develop.

Then they decide the qualities this new model might have, for example a Bb trumpet with nickel trim and gold buttons, professional model.

Then they hand it over to a small team of maker, marketing, and procurement, to decide if the new model has a future and what price point it can be made and sold for to make a profit.

If this team decides if it will make money they move to production.

Right at the start they had to give it a name or they would not know what instrument they are talking about so they use the next available and sensible name that means nothing to the business yet.

They usually use the next free number after the last instrument they considered.

Model 598 might have been considered last but not produced so they cant use that number so they designate it 599.

This is just a meaningless number until they can decide if they want to manufacture it. They then might come up with a model name. Or they might keep the number as the model name.

I worked in automotive and they had at one time three models 503 551 and 545 being considered for 18 months during development before shelving two of them and then moving forward with 551 and giving the 551 model a real name to sell it as when producing it for the forecourt.

Numbers are a convenience until they decide on the future of the model and can use a name.

They dont want to use the name dart for example and then consider 10 possible models all called dart until the final dart is decided on because they could not know which dart they are developing last weeks dart or this weeks dart or next weeks dart.

Numbers mean nothing it is just a name or a substitute for a name.

[James Becker]

Great post Bflatman.

FWIW the King 602 cornet is also known as a Cleveland model.

The Holton 602, 603, 605 cornet are also known as Collegiate.
_________________
James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US

[OldSchoolEuph]

If anyone can find any rational logic to how these numbers emerged over time, you are doing better than me. The two brands took completely separate paths to the same number for their student horns.

For the King side: When HN White bought the Cleveland company in 1924, they began redesigning the Cleveland trumpet (designed in large part by James Sistek) and when they had finished turning a pro tier horn into something slightly lower, though not student (those were the American Standard – also a Cleveland brand originally - 200-series horns), they dubbed it the Cleveland 603 trumpet. In 1929, it was paired to an HN White designed cornet previously called the King Junior, which was assigned 601. When the Greyhound peashooter came out in 1930, it was numbered 600. The 603 was replaced by the 603T in 1937, while another standard trumpet, which looked a lot like the later King student trumpets, the Cleveland 600 also came out in 1937 (the peashooter went away).Simultaneously, a reworked 601 cornet became the 601B, all still under the Cleveland brand. These models faded into obscurity by the time of the 1965 sale to Nate Dolin that created King Musical Instruments, but the Cleveland 600 shortly thereafter reappeared as the King 601 student trumpet. It later was revised and became 602, I think under UMI, maybe right after.

On the Holton side: The Collegiate 506 trumpet was introduced in 1938. The cornet built at the time is definitely not a precursor of the C-602. That cornet, dubbed Collegiate 502, came out in 1940. In 1948, each of these were renamed and incremented by one (507 & 503). These were both refreshed in design, but kept the same numbers around 1950/51. At the same time, step-up versions were introduced with the numbers 607 and 603 (with the quality to number alignment being the inverse of what would follow under Leblanc) In 1955, they were refreshed again including the introduction of Courtois valves, and became 508 and 504, with corresponding 608 and 604 SuperCollegiates. In 1965, Leblanc replaced these with the new T-602 trumpet and C-602 cornet. The designs would change several times after that, but the numbers persisted to the end.
_________________
Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
1927 Conn 22B
1957 Holton 27 cornet
1985 Yamaha YEP-621
1975 Yamaha YEP-321 Custom
1965 Besson Baritone
1975 Olds Recording R-20