Baby Holton Eb Refurb / Modification

[Outawind]

Dear Tuba Enthusiasts:

I'm going to refurb a well-used Holton Eb that I've owned for years and also convert to CC. Picture of the little guy is attached (hopefully).

Stats are:
1923 manufacture, based on the SN
15" bell
31" height
0.650" bore at the ID of the 2nd valve slide
Three top-action valves.

It's passed the "garden hose test" with flying colors - I can get away with straight tubing in the area of the main tuning slide (after the valves). So, if I may, two questions:

1) The diminutive size of the horn has always been sort of a mystery. I have never seen another 1/2 - 3/4 size Holton of this vintage. Were "student" horns made in the 20's? Any opinions / knowledge as to the genesis of the tuba would be appreciated.

2) I've done my share of soldering parts back together on tubas over the years, but have never bent tubing to the degree that will be needed for this modification. Where can one obtain "pitch", and would compacted sand work as an alternative?

Thanks in advance for any helpful info.

[tubaguy9]

I don't think the sand would work very well...It would end up way too easy to kink the tubing that's filled with the compacted sand...
Cerrobend is another alternative to pitch, but I've heard it's even harder to bend than pitch. Pitch isn't too bad, as long as you know what kind of force to use on it, along with not bending something the wrong way. Filling tubes with pitch isn't too bad either, just a bit of patience goes a long ways.
PM me if you want some more thoughts from me...

[tubamirum]

Allied Supply sells pitch 800 558 3226

[windshieldbug]

Smaller Eb's were made from the late 1800's...

For town bands where the tubist played marching as well as sitting down and could only afford one horn these small horns were a godsend. They were also easy to transfer trumpet players to in a pinch if the tuba player was "indisposed"... a fact that made them so popular as student horns in the 20th century.

The "monster bore" horns required a strong, stout tubist to wrestle them around at parades, even with a strap. The "deepening" arms race, with the invention and use of the sousaphone is what ultimately made this size of horn much less common for pro use.

Essentially what you're building is a Miraphone 184CC.
BTW, even in 'C', you'll probably want a fourth valve, too.

[Outawind]

Thanks for the information and helpful suggestions - all greatly appreciated. I'll call Allied and see about ordering pitch. Regarding a fourth valve, my first goal is to produce a proper 3 - valve horn. If I'm successful, then we'll see about further improvements, such as a fourth valve and / or valve re-plating. As it stands right now, and even with plastic hose instead of brass tubing, the horn will play easily down to Gb and then down to the fundamental with false tones.

Not that this is a project of significance, but I will advise as progress is made, in the event that there is interest.

Thanks again for the advice and input.

[Bob Kolada]

What are you going to do about the 3rd valve slide? Cut a hole in your left thigh to fit it?

1) The diminutive size of the horn has always been sort of a mystery. I have never seen another 1/2 - 3/4 size Holton of this vintage. Were "student" horns made in the 20's? Any opinions / knowledge as to the genesis of the tuba would be appreciated.

I don't know anything about the historical "point" of these small Eb's, but I think they are still useful instruments today. I have a similar sized front action King (actually was their MEDIUM Eb then, though the small one was not much smaller), and it is a wonderful horn with a big sound, great low range (Bb and A are great, false tones are so-so), good intonation,.... It is a very easy horn to play, though I want to get the valves vented. I use it in tuba quartet on the 3rd book, some brass quintet (also play bass trombone there), concert band, have used a similar horn in brass band,.... If mine had a "more normal" valve angle it would be just about perfect. It's playable as it is, but I've always felt a bit weird (mine looks a bit different than the King ad I've seen with the small and medium Eb's; I wonder if mine has a sousa valveset?).
I use a shallow 30mm mp and a Bach 18 on mine. That gives more possibilities- it sounds great with trombones on the smaller mp and has a nice full sound on the 18.
They are a great first bass tuba for someone on a budget or for someone who's not sure they really want to play bass tuba- cheap, definite contrast to the big contrabass most people play, easy to play,....

[Outawind]

Bob Kolada wrote:

What are you going to do about the 3rd valve slide? Cut a hole in your left thigh to fit it?

Health insurance issues being what they are, I think we'll modify the tuba instead of me, but thanks for the suggestion.

The valves on this tuba are already vented - they were worn out 30 years ago. A mixture of Hutter's gun oil and Cass "Fast" works best.

Thanks for the interesting info / opinions re small Eb tubas.