"Reasonable" Holton 345(?)BBb

[The Big Ben]

Was looking at DaBay and found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=018" target="_blank

I said 'Holton 345(?)' because I don't know the name of the 3v model.

This is a 3v model in fairly good shape. The bell has a whang like it was dropped smack on it and some dents on the body- all pointed out with red lines and arrows.

It looks like it could work as a 3v with only a little bit of work. Turning it into a 4v obviously would be more including a dent-free overhaul and polish/plating/lacquering.

Could be a good place to start if a player wanted a cherry 345.

[bort]

Wow, that went "cheap"!

[The Big Ben]

Wow, that went "cheap"!

Yeah, that's what I'm telling myself....

I had my eyes on it right until the final morning. About a half hour before the end, with the horn riding at $1500, I told myself "No". I was willing to go $1750 and thought there would be a flurry at the end.

I guess not- $1535.

There will be others, I'm sure...

[The Big Ben]

Ya won't get much of an argument from me.

I'm aware of the costs involved. That's one reason why I didn't put in a bid. By what I have anecdotally surmised through conversations with qualified people, labor to restore that horn and turn it into a 4v would be about $5K labor, $2-3K parts, $1.5K original horn. Under $10 K. That's a shitload of money. Probably two or three year wait for completion. Could be a hell of a horn. Depending on who did the work, it could be considered a 'new, handmade horn'. What do other comparable horns go for out of the factory?

We could argue about the bell. Looks reparable compared with other bells I've seen but I could be full of it.. The bottom bow should be pushed out but, if it was going to be played as a 3v, maybe it doesn't matter. Get it usable for $500? A $2K, 3v BAT? Dunno...

Either way, I didn't bid and, yeah, you're right- I would be better off with a 186 or similar considering who I am and what I do. Actually, I like the sound and playability of my King 2340 (old style) and, if I were to get a different BBb horn, it would probably be an old style 2341. I'm having a hard time keeping my horn filled with air already (but getting better.) Probably would have a hell of a time getting a proper tone out of a big boy like a Holton.

[MikeMason]

For a special occasion tuba I would just do 500 worth of dent work and get the 1st slide working really good.You could play it for 95% of orchestra tunes without false tones if the 1st slide was long enough and worked well enough.You could still have that sound if you wanted it bad enough.I certainly miss mine at times...

[The Big Ben]

I'd pay that just for the sum of it's parts. I've seen 345s in worse shape go for $4k+ more... Just for one more valve? Pfft!

And probably a worn out valve in need of rebuild at that.

People make all sorts of choices for their own reasons. I've seen pictures of horns under restoration which made me think the project should have begun with a horn in better condition. But, for their own reasons, that's what they started with.

I just pointed this one out because *someone* (and, for a little while, me) would be interested in it.

I hope the new owner has fun with the horn and has no regrets for purchasing it.

[Adam C.]

I realize I'm digging up an old post here, but I rarely look at this section of the forums.

Does anyone remember a Holton 345 BBb that Lee Stofer had at the Army Band conference 2 years ago? It was in really nice condition and had what I thought was a great sound (in the elephant room at least). The price was a steal, and the fact that I still remember it even now tells me I should have bought it.

I would wager that someone here has that horn. Anyone want to fess up?