Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

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burningchrome
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Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by burningchrome »

It occurs to me that the piston Fafner seems like a rebuild of the Holton 345. Anyone out there played both? Discuss.
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by GC »

I believe the Fafner has a taller and narrower bell stack.
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by Bob Kolada »

I thought the piston Fafner was just a re-valved rotary Fafner? If so, I'd think the BMB 6/4 Bb's, if still being made, would be the closest modern analogy.
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Daniel C. Oberloh
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by Daniel C. Oberloh »

The two are at opposit ends of the spectrum. Completely diferant animals. The only real thing they have in common is that they are made of brass. :wink:
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by bort »

Bob Kolada wrote:I thought the piston Fafner was just a re-valved rotary Fafner? If so, I'd think the BMB 6/4 Bb's, if still being made, would be the closest modern analogy.
Whatever happened to the BMBs anyway? Its been quite a while since that lovefest has been around here... :)
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by Lectron »

bort wrote:
Bob Kolada wrote:I thought the piston Fafner was just a re-valved rotary Fafner? If so, I'd think the BMB 6/4 Bb's, if still being made, would be the closest modern analogy.
Whatever happened to the BMBs anyway? Its been quite a while since that lovefest has been around here... :)
Still like it very much, thank you :)
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by tubamuphone »

I've never posted a photo here, hopefully this will work. In any case, the link is there. It's a side by side photo of a MW 2165 CC tuba (as I understand it, a copy of the Holton 345) and a MW Piston Fafner.

The bell stack is taller on the Fafner, the bell is also narrower. The valve sets are identical (at least in the late production model 2165's, mine has the smaller early-model valves).

I really liked the Fafner, if I could justify two large tubas, I'd consider it. Massive low range like the Thor, it made the stage floor vibrate a little more than my 2165.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qddmf18i30ud1f/IMG_2733.JPG
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by Wyvern »

Was not the piston Fafner developed in collaboration with Gene Pokorny? I heard him playing one for Mahler 9 and it sounded great.
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Re: Holton 345 v. MW (Piston) Fafner

Post by jimgray »

I will own one someday. The piston fafner is godly.
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