Holton 330 CC (Phillips)

[skeath]

What is the current opinion of the Holton Phillips model CC? I just found a letter Harvey wrote me in 1996 about this tuba, but I haven't paid any attention to new tubas since then. It looks nice (but then, so do Mirafones )

[skeath]

Thanks. Just curious. I played an Alexander CC for 30 years. Along the way I briefly owned a Mirafone 184-5U and 186-5U. I wore out the Alex; had it overhauled; no longer liked it with a standard leadpipe; sold it. I've played a Yamaha YFB-822S for the last 5 years, and recently bought a Yamaha YCB-621S. Although it is heresy , I love the way these Yamahas play and sound. I'm thinking about a YCB-822S, as the little horn doesn't have the weight of sound I had for so many years, and I miss that.

Sandy

[iiipopes]

I have a friend who played one for awhile who could only make it sound good with either a Bach Mega 7 or one of the other heavy bodied mouthpieces like a Monette or a Jet Tone.

[EdFirth]

I saw/heard Rich Maloof playing one on a recent Welk special and he sounded excellent . I'm sure he was well miked but still , the sound was Great . It was a Bb .Ed

[k001k47]

I'd love to play on one of these... they're great looking horns.
I remember seeing one on the tuba exchange for just under 2 grand (it only stayed on the website a couple of days)
I'd take one anyday for that price

[Matt G]

I honestly think the biggest problem with the latest models of Holton tubas is that in both cases (BBb and CC) the existing Conn (5J and 2J/3J) models are available for less money and often play just as well, if not better.

I remember playing a BBb version and I have played a good 5J. Both had similar qualities, but the 5J had more core to the center of the sound. I have not played a CC version, but I have played some excellent 2J/3J Conns. You can stumble across a Conn for usually in the $2-3K range and they are, IMO, spectacular little tubas. I preferred the 2J insofar that it had the more unique voice and would be an awesome quintet tuba for lighter repertoire.