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Holton 47



 
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presward
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Joined: 18 Feb 2013
Posts: 66
Location: Granada, España

PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:24 am    Post subject: Holton 47 Reply with quote

I just bought a 1947 Holton 47 online. It arrived the other day and I just put it through the rounds. I really like the horn. Build quality is excellent. The short throw valves are smooth and tight despite its age and the sound is brilliant. I know it is often deemed yet another "poor man's Committee" I have never played a real Committee. I love the sound of the Holton. It is dark yet is has bright overtones. The downsides I notice... Despite the reverse leadpide tuning slide and the ML bore, it feels rather tight. A lot of resistance. The other problem is the low range... the notes below the staff are very unresponsive and dead sounding. Anyone else have insight into this horn? I wonder if a valve alignment or other tweaking might help these problems.
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derekthor
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you cleaned it out? Just going from the information provided here, that might be the first thing to do.
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homecookin
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Joined: 07 Nov 2013
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

derekthor wrote:
Have you cleaned it out? Just going from the information provided here, that might be the first thing to do.



I agree, cleaning it out would be the first thing to do.
I have never played a Holton model 47,
but I do own, and play on a regular basis a
Holton 49 ...Stratodyne model.
It is a great playing trumpet.
I have had it since 1960. My father bought it
used from a trumpet player he was working
with in a dance band.
I think a good Precision Valve Alignment would
be a good investment.
It will improve the way it plays.
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Evinerate
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Joined: 15 Nov 2016
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I too have had a few Holton 47s and 48s. They all had a unique different dark sound than Martin Committees and yes they did play a bit "tight" as well.
I really loved the solid build of the horn but it's wrong calling this horn a "poor man's Committee", it's really not that similar to the Committee. In my opinion, I feel many would like the tighter slotting of the Holtons with that unique dark tone more than the Committee upon picking both horns up the first time.
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Robert Rowe
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Joined: 18 Apr 2004
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Location: Chincoteague, Virginia

PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 47 and the 48 are different horns. I've had both.

Still have a B-47, with 5" rose-brass bell. It's a keeper. Very unique.

The Model-48 has been compared to the Martin Committee. Having owned many, many Committees (and still have several), as well as (I think) four Holton Model-48's ... my opinion is they play / feel like a Committee ... but, do not sound like a Committee.


~ r2 ~
former community organizer

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Tony Scodwell
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Joined: 17 Oct 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:46 am    Post subject: B-47 Holton Reply with quote

Charlie Shavers was playing a Holton B-47 when we worked together on the Tommy Dorsey band in the sixties. He also had a Getzen Eterna which the company featured him in advertising at the time.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com
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presward
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Joined: 18 Feb 2013
Posts: 66
Location: Granada, España

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the comments. I really like the sound of the horn. I did clean the horn. Lots of resistance still. Low register is not good sounding at all. Despite that I really enjoy it.
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Robert Rowe
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:35 pm    Post subject: Re: B-47 Holton Reply with quote

Tony Scodwell wrote:
Charlie Shavers was playing a Holton B-47 when we worked together on the Tommy Dorsey band in the sixties. He also had a Getzen Eterna which the company featured him in advertising at the time.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com


Follow-up story:

I acquired my B-47 from a cat from Chicago. He informed he knew Bud Herseth, and learned about the Holton B-47 through him (Herseth).

As his story goes ... Herseth originally did play a B-47 in the CSO. However; "money $$ reared it's ugly head". Bach was anxious to get note-worthy symphony trumpeters to play and endorse the Bach Stradivarius. Somehow ... the CSO music-director, and conductor at the time, suddenly prevailed upon the trumpet section to switch-over (from whatever they were playing) to the Bach Strads. Herseth resisted ... but, agreed to pose in publicity shots with the rest of the section on Strads. Out of the eye of the camera lens, he continued playing his favored Holton B-47. Eventually, he relented, apparently ... and, played the CSO-owned Strad. He did not buy it.


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Dennis78
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do enjoy my B47! I’ve never seen one with the reverse leadpipe though only on the 45&48. Not doubting you though as Holton did all sorts of crazy things.

I’ve not found the low end to be stuffy but I’ve not also found a mouthpiece I find very agreeable with it

I absolutely love Holton valve action!

Have fun with your new horn, I think it’s time I got mine back out
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mike ansberry
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check your valve alignment. It can make a big difference in the way a horn plays.
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VetPsychWars
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lower register sucks means use thicker oil or get your valves rebuilt.

These horns will also shut down on you if you overblow. Spend some time playing pianissimo and find the resonance and it will open wide for you.

Tom
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yourbrass
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

presward wrote:
Thanks for the comments. I really like the sound of the horn. I did clean the horn. Lots of resistance still. Low register is not good sounding at all. Despite that I really enjoy it.


Your impressions of the blow indicate it needs a valve refit. It's not uncommon, Holtons were not tightly fit pistons.
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homecookin
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yourbrass wrote:
presward wrote:
Thanks for the comments. I really like the sound of the horn. I did clean the horn. Lots of resistance still. Low register is not good sounding at all. Despite that I really enjoy it.


Your impressions of the blow indicate it needs a valve refit. It's not uncommon, Holtons were not tightly fit pistons.


This is not been my experience at all.
I have a Holton Stratodyne ( model 49)
that was made in 1954, and I have owned it
since 1960.
The valves are in perfect condition, there is no wear
on the pistons at all, the compression is great.
There are no issues at all with the valves,
I play this horn on a regular basis, in fact I played it on a job last
night.
I'm wondering what you are basing your statement on ?
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