King Basses

This page lists and describes known King basses with serial numbers between 001-999. When possible, descriptions, pictures, and general/historical info about those basses is included.

Serial Numbers are, for the most part highly unverifiable and dates of manufacture are estimated for many of these basses based upon:

- bills of sale that exist for a very few basses (some numbers were positively verified)
- the closest and most accurate recollection of the owners or past owners, and
- educated approximations supplied by H.N. White, reliable sources, and collectors.

These dates, although mostly correct or very close to correct, are not 100% verifiable.

Serial #	Year	History
???		No number. Reddish Brown, near mint condition. Purchased from Dennis Crouch in 2004. Serial number unknown, but Dennis feels it's from the late 30s or very early 40s. Older-style, outlined label. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Mina Waller of Nashville, TN.
???		No number. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Bobby King.
102	1934	Current (as of 1.1.06) owner unknown. Submitted by Roger Stowers.
105	1934	Current (as of 01.01.2006) owner by unknown. Submitted by Roger Stowers.
136	1934	One of the 1st Kings, it has been theorized by Chris Charvatt, historian and archivist for the H.N. White family that limited numbers of early H.N. White basses were made in Eastern Europe or Europe with American parts. Current (as of 01.01.2006) owner by unknown. Submitted by Roger Stowers.
139	1934	Label for Jean Baptiste Martinelli w/ coat-of-arms. Below this is illegible signature of a long name (Antonuccio Strava-something with 2 or 3 i's in it?). One of the 1st Kings, it was probably made in Eastern Europe or Europe with American parts. The bass tuners have 'Cleveland' imprinted on them along with 'hand made reproduction.' Currently (as of 01.01.2006) owned by Robert Hannaford, Sunset Beach, CA
240	1935	Purchased on Ebay by Brad Norstrand. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Brad Norstrand.
441	1936	Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Martin Chapman, Ontario, Canada.
473	1937	Late 30s. Previously owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN.
566	1936	Brownish dark red burst original finish, no pin stripes, King--H.N.White brand on back and inside: KING Made by the H.N.White Co. Cleveland, Ohio No 566 Patent Appl For Brass plates like others but engraved King Moretone H.N White Cleveland Oh and this one has chrome plated gears, with steel worms, and brass flathead screws The finish on this bass and AS #467 look very similar--many older AS basses have the thick finish that cracks and flakes off. This may be one reason so many have been refinished. Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by Kent Blanton ('Superman') of Nashville, TN.
649	1936	Currently (as of 12.01.2005) owned by 'Jim Hole'.
725	1937	Purchased in Cincinnati in 1980, this bass was used through 1987 in a bluegrass band and was in semi-retirement until recently. Serial number is hand written on the label. Currently (as of 01.01.2006) owned by James H. Green of Chillicothe, OH.
744	1937	Currently (as of 01.08.2006) owned by Craig Regan, address unknown.