Holton Collegiate Cornet

[keithbranham]

Is the Holton Collegiate cornet an intermediate instrument? And apologies for the initial misspelling of the topic.

[TKSop]

Holton?

If so... decent quality student instruments (depending on condition!), but not much more than that.

Then again, most intermediate trumpets/cornets are only debatably worth switching to from decent quality student trumpets/cornets anyway.

[Crazy Finn]

No.

It's a very solidly made student instrument. It might be better constructed than some current student range instruments (esp store or off brand ones made who knows where) but it's a student level instrument.

Nothing wrong with that, though.
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Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
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[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

One of my favorite student instruments. Had the lacquer and nickle plated versions. Very underrated and easy to play instrument. I am enjoying playing my Holton 605 Shepherd's crook cornet.
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King 603 cornet American wrap
Yamaha 2330 Shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B mouthpiece
Yamaha 11 e mouthpiece

[Dennis78]

The c603 and c605 were marketed as intermediate/semi pro depending on the lit. The only thing those two share with the student model 602 is the valve section. The c602 is a very fine student cornet
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a few different ones

[Brassnose]

Reviving an old thread because I just took delivery of my new (to me) 1966 Holton Collegiate cornet. Only had time to play 15 minutes or so but man, what a horn. First off, except for two scratches inside the bell this thing looks like new. Not even lacquer wear, valves are fast and easy after a nice oiling. All slides move and are free and on top of that look like new. Bright yellow brass and not even a dark spot on them.

Playability is GREAT and I can easily cover my whole range. The sound is pretty good, will check out in more detail in the next rehearsals coming up.

I didn’t really need a cornet but figured that after 40 cornet-free years and a good offer coming up I’d give it a try. Turns out I did great 😊

Funny thing is that Holton was never really on my radar. I had been watching a few Olds, Bach, Getzen, King, and of course Blessing Super Artists (being a Clifford fan, that’s what you do). Will definitely watch Holton horns more closely in the future!
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2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

[Dayton]

I inherited a 1950s Holton Super Collegiate cornet. It needed some work, expertly done by Charlie Melk, and is now a solid player. The Holton isn't in the same caliber as my Getzen 800DLX -- fabulous horn -- but the sound and mechanics are good enough that I use it for gigs on occasion. Just played a brass choir concert with it, and had no problem with intonation, blending with the section, soloing over the ensemble, or with upper register. I'd say they are a good value if you can find one that doesn't need a valve overhaul.

[Brassnose]

Yeah, I guess that sums it up pretty nicely. As I said I have no real need for a cornet but I was thinking along the same lines: if it’s pouring or snow storming outside and I certainly don’t want to take my rotary the cornet could be nice. Not as powerful as the Bach but perfectly functional and nice for the upcoming Christmas time. Plus it’s a pretty instrument, all brass with these angled (don’t know how you really call it) top and bottom valve caps and the Holton medallion in the tuning slide. I do like the two tone bell of the Super Collegiate but mine is pretty as well
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier