Holton 345 with new Kantsul Bell

[Art Hovey]

I played a little bit on this one:

It had the new Kanstul bell, and was pitched in BBb
I did not quite fall in love with the instrument because the pistons had unusually long stroke, and unusually small buttons. But it sure is a sweet horn.

[Rick Denney]

...OK...Here's an informal poll:

With or without a particularly flat third partial (lower F) that often occurs with these, the SIXTH partial on these tubas (upper F) is almost always quite sharp.

Assuming a completely restored (and precision-aligned valve section) satin-silver BB-345, would those of you who like these consider a main tuning slide trigger a "HMMM..." or just a "hm"...?

I would consider it. The sixth partial is sharp on my Holton, but then it's sharp on all my Bb tubas and I rather thought it was just me. A sharp sixth partial isn't uncommon of course, and for the music I play using the Holton not nearly as much of a problem as a flat third partial would be (and mine is not flat). My fifth partial is also a bit flat, but that's also pretty common, even on Miraphones.

Rick "who had considered a main-slide trigger for the York Master to deal with the same issue" Denney

[Tubacube]

I wish I could have been
there to try the Holton/Kanstul bell CC.
I have tried the Kanstul/ J.W. York 4/4 tubas.
Mr. Treece and Bob Carpenter have made a great contribution.
The proof is in the playing. The way the tone sweetens in the upper register is most pleasurable. Warmth in tone through the different registers was more than evident. Hope you don't mind, but I think it would be of good interest to show the fruits of the Treece/Carpenter/Kanstul collaboration.
I've gotta get me one of these!