Interesting Holton

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roweenie
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Re: Interesting Holton

Post by roweenie »

I have taken apart both a 355 (basically a detachable bell version of the 345) and a 105, and the only parts that are exactly identical are the bell stack and bottom bow.

The difference in the valve nests is obvious. The difference in the bugle is less so; the overall taper is identical, but for some odd reason the ferrules (couplings) are in slightly different locations, making the parts "uninterchangeable" (at least regarding my two specific examples).
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
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Tundratubast
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Re: Interesting Holton

Post by Tundratubast »

Hal,

I'm pretty confident that this was my horn at one time. I will have to track down some photos of mine but I'm sure it is the same 105-4. I found it at an auction of old school horns. The fourth valve was missing the stem and actually had a brass disk soldered to the top of the casing. I was the only bidder. Driving home, my curiosity got to me wondering how or if it was even playable. I stopped and unscrewed the bottom cap and the piston fell out. Big smiles for sure. Continuing on... I visited with Dan Oberlauh regarding the horn and sent him pictures, based on the serial number on the cluster, the design. Dan ID it as a pre-WWII 105-4 versus a 355. I had Taylor do an Econo overhaul on it and played it for a few gigs, One heck of a circus horn. I eventually traded it in with roger Lewis at WWBW for a Miraphone 1291. I don't know where Roger sold it too, but it didn't stay at WWBW very long. The low G in the staff is a little weird, but it does have a huge sound. I'll see if I can find my "For Sale" photos as well. It may even be in the archives here from many years ago. It was fun, damn heavy. Assume outside beast.
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Lee Stofer
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Re: Interesting Holton

Post by Lee Stofer »

Methinks that if someone were to acquire that Holton, and then had a one-piece Kanstul 6/4 rose brass bell installed on it, the horn would be phenomenal. It should be a rather fine instrument as it is now.
Lee A. Stofer, Jr.
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