Holton Galaxy Bore Size

[Brassman19]

I just recently acquired a vintage, early 1960's Holton Galaxy trumpet, along with its original case, music lyre and original factory owner's manual and paperwork (it is missing its original third slide stop, though, unfortunately), all in very nice condition. I must say it is a very nice -looking and -playing horn, as well as very well made, and it has an open, free-blowing feel, and full, warm tone to its sound.

I do have a question about it, which answer I haven't been able to find anywhere yet. Does anyone know if it is a ML, or L bore (or even bigger) plus what its bore size is?

Thanks,

Larry
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[interfx]

0.459"
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trumpetLINKS: https://www.trumpetLINKS.com
BachLoyalist: https://www.bachloyalist.com

[Brassman19]

Thanks. So it is a standard, ML bore then.

A couple of other questions about it.

Does anyone know if its receiver accepts a bit larger diameter mouthpiece shank than comes on most standard, modern mouthpieces (like Bach, etc.)? The reason I ask is my Bach 1C mp seems to go in it a bit deeper than it does on other horns I have had and played, plus it seems to almost get stuck in the receiver after I have played on it for a bit. The horn's intonation doesn't seem to be "wonky" or anything like that, which would suggest an improper gap issue with it.

Finally, would anyone happen to know where I can get the original 3rd slide stop that would have come with this horn, or possibly an acceptable replacement for it made by another horn maker, or an aftermarket-made one?

Thanks again.
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[tptptp]

Sorry I can't answer your questions, but your post brought back a lot of memories.
After I showed promise in the early 1960s on a rented cornet, my parents bought me a new Holton Galaxy trumpet for $250, a large sum for our family. It carried me well for years.
I still have that sweet horn and case in great condition.

But, it stings a bit to hear it called "vintage," because it seems like yesterday!
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Craig.

[Brassman19]

Lol! I understand Craig. My horn was made when I was one year old (1961), meaning I am also vintage too!

Another question, that perhaps you, or some other TH'er here can answer.

My horn came with nickel plating on its valve block (though there are hands touch points wear on it, somewhat showing the brass below in spots), and its 1st, 2nd, and 3rd slides are in lacquered brass. The contrast is striking, and looks quite attractive, but every other early- to mid- 60's Galaxy trumpet (the pro-level model, in other words) I have seen pictures of have a lacquered brass valve block, and nickel 1st, 2nd, and 3rd slides. How is yours finished, Craig? Have you seen the version like mine before? I wonder if mine is some special edition or version of the Galaxy?

Mine is clearly an early 60's horn (SN 341XXX), and the pro model (it has the fixed 3rd slide ring, plus the brackets for a 3rd slide stop, plus a 5" bell), so I know it's not the later, nickel-plated only intermediate horn LeBlanc put out of it (the T401 Model).
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[tptptp]

[Brassman19]

Yes, it is nickel-plating, and not silver.

From all I've read about this horn on TH, the entire bell is supposed to be solid nickel silver. However, my horn has some slight wear in one spot on the inside of its bell, next to the left side of the first valve (a hand-hold point), and yellow brass is showing through. I suspect that it is only the bell flare and throat that are nickel silver (it is clearly a 2-piece bell, but, unusually so, the flare and throat are joined to the stem way back by the valve block, nearly beside the 2nd valve), and the stem and bell tail must be yellow brass. However, at least half, if not a little more, of the bell is solid nickel silver.

Also, supposedly the horn's slides' tubing are solid nickel silver too. However, again, at handhold contacts points wear, my horn's 1st and 3rd slide tubes also show through yellow brass.

I'm beginning to wonder if the actual case is Holton made the Galaxy's valve case, slides and tubing, plus its bell stem/tail of yellow brass with heavy nickel-plating, and only its bell flare and throat are actually made of nickel silver? That appears to be the case with my horn, at least.
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[tptptp]

Just found this from a 2019TH thread.
https://www.trumpet-history.com/Holton%20Models.pdf

And specifically this:

“Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Years Built: 1961 – 1965 Front Slide: Tuning Bore: 0.459”
Leadpipe Taper: C
Key(s): B-flat
Rear Slide: None
Bell Material: German Silver Leadpipe Mat’l: Ger. Silver Tuning Brace: Straight
Pitching: LP only
Tuning Lock: Stop rod for 3rd only Bell Type: 2-piece, 4-7/8” Leadpipe Type: Standard
Tuning Slide Radius: Dual
Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bell Braces: Z
Special Characteristics: All German Silver (Nickel) except valve casings; designed to be low cost
After 1965, Leblanc switched to numbering all Holton models as T-XXX. The next generation Galaxy was the T-401, which was still all nickel, though it could be ordered in brass as T-401N.”
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Craig.

[Brassman19]

Yes, that one a few discussions I have read about the Galaxy here on TH previously, and that's what I was referring to.

However, in looking my horn over, it clearly is not solid nickel silver all over, as described in the discussion you quoted. At the same time, I am cinvinced this horn is a genuine vintage early 60's Galaxy (and not a cheap Chinese imitation), as it is identical in its construction and overall appearance, shape, detailing etc. in every way with pictures and descriptions of the Galaxy I have seen and read about. Not only that, it is very well-made and put together and feels very solid and professional in every sense of the word to hold it. It also plays very easily and well, plus in tune.

Additionally, its case is very solidly built, and constructed of high-quality materials inside and out (as one would expect a professional-grade Holton horn would have), and very much looks like it is 60+ years old, but in very good shape. Lastly, it came with the original Holton factory Owners Manual and other paperwork, which do look a bit weathered, but still in good condition.

I guess I need to post pictures of it and its case and paperwork, so you and others can see it.
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[OldSchoolEuph]

[Brassman19]

Thanks, Ron. However, my Galaxy has its valve block plated with nickel, and its tuning, 1st, 2nd and 3rd slides are all lacquered yellow brass (and they are all clearly the original ones to the horn).

Here is the Reverb link to the ad I bought it from recently, so you all can quickly look at its pics:

https://reverb.com/item/69730918-holton-galaxy-silver?gclid=EAIaIQobChM186i8zbGgggMVckVHAR0sJQQLEAQYASABEgLeMPD_BwE&utm_campaign=18080091334&utm_content=campaignid%3D180091334_adgroupid%3D143842723601_productpartitionid%3D1726682020063%3Dmerchantid%3D551956285_productid%3D69730918_keyword%3D_device%3Dc_adposition%3D_matchtype%3D_creative%3D617123310620&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google

Hopefully I entered the full link accurately. Phew!

Larry
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[Brassman19]

And here is a link to another Galaxy like mine (though in a lot more worn condition), also being offered on Revwrb:

https://reverb.com/item/68042208-holton-galaxy-trumpet-plays-well
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[OldSchoolEuph]

Doing some digging, I found an advertisement from 1961 referencing the G44 trumpet as having a "nickel body with lacquered brass slides". By 64, this had changed. It is very challenging to nail down precise dates, etc. The Conn-Selmer destruction of the Holton archives in 2007 was quite effective.
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
1927 Conn 22B
1957 Holton 27 cornet
1985 Yamaha YEP-621
1975 Yamaha YEP-321 Custom
1965 Besson Baritone
1975 Olds Recording R-20

[Brassman19]

Excellent research work, Ron. Thank you.

So, was the G44 Model Galaxy a special version of it then, or was it the only version they made of it early on? It is very striking to look at, with the contrasting lacquered nickel and lacquered brass, so I wonder if it was a special, "high end" edition of it?

Also, Ron, did you notice the exposed brass in the worn areas on mine, on the parts of it that were supposed to be solid nickel silver? Mine clearly has brass underlying nickel plating in those areas.

Last of all, would you possibly know of a source for, or someone I can possibly go to to purchase my horn's missing 3rd slide stop rod? Or, perhaps an acceptable, workable aftermarket replacement for it?

Larry
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1954 Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet (Yellow brass w/nickel silver bell flare, like the Olds Studio model)
1961 pro Holton Galaxy Trumpet
Bach 1C mp (Trumpet,

[Man Of Constant Sorrow]

I have a Martin Galaxy trumpet, and a Martin Galaxy fluegelhorn.
The fluegelhorn is an excellent horn. VERY excellent. (and, I have several other fluegelhorns of other manufacture [brands] that are considered "legacy" horns).

Any comments, regarding the Martin Galaxy horns, and how they jibe with the Holton Galaxy horns ?
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Sub-Optimal Hillbilly Jazz