Revelation......

[JayeSF]

OK, OK, I had NO business doing this WHATSOEVER....'cuz I already have a 241 Tenor on the way.

BUT, stumbled across a good deal on an older Revelation (1937 according to serial #) which seller says is just in incredible condition; he sent a slew of pics, and it does seem to be in immaculate shape (it's a lacquered horn)....got it for 4 bill$....

So now I have 2 Holton Tenors on the way.....along with a project-horn alto Collegiate sitting in the corner....

....someone please lock me up....

[RueRiposte]

...they can keep each other company...

Post pics!

[bruce bailey]

Now you know how I feel.....

[FremontSax]

I think I just joined the club. I have a leblanc semi-rational tenor heading my direction for just under 1.8K. And I was wondering how I was going to explain rebuilding a beuscher c melody to my wife?

[FremontSax]

Bruce.,

If I need to move in do you have room for me and my four saxes? One being in the process of refurbishing. Yes I know you warned me :)

[JayeSF]

I think I just joined the club. I have a leblanc semi-rational tenor heading my direction for just under 1.8K. And I was wondering how I was going to explain rebuilding a beuscher c melody to my wife?

I guess we will be keeping Gabe busy, you and I......;)

[NissanMarkVII]

I done already pissed off my wife with my "Saxuality" ;) . I'm done buying...for now ;) . Seriously though, when I have a steady income coming in again, she's getting her Eb Soprano Clarinet, I'm getting my Sopranino sax, and I'll might just start collecting old saxes for the fun of it :) . They're as much fun to look at sometimes as they are to play :) .

[JayeSF]

YOWZA...IT JUST ARRIVED THIS AM !!!

Seller had told me it was in fine shape, but holy cow...this is a time capsule sax ! She's adjusted up and down, pads look great, action is nice, finish is gorgeous (a honey-esque lacquer) and seriously...this horn looks like a museum piece !!!!

And again, like the 241, it has a bigass tenor sound...very full, rich, great low end...a classic American Tenor sax. Am gonna play 'em side-by-side a bit to get a keener comparison....but this has to be the best-regulated sax I have ever gotten over eFlay.

Great...and also sad that, really...that a sax this minty and nice couldn't even get the seller's asking price of $425 !!!! I offered $375 + ship... and that was that.

...yet another example of how the undeserved bad rep on Holton just squishes the market value of these horns....

Insane....nothing needs to be done to this horn at all.....

[geauxsax]

Man--I'm jealous! I definitely want to hear about the side-to-side comparo with the 241 too. Looking at the pics, your Rev has significatly updated ergos and keywork as compared to mine. Congrats!

[JayeSF]

Thanks...I wouldn't mid seeing which parts of the keywork differ from yours to mine...I guess our horns are about, what?...7 years apart or so ?

This thing is just smokin'...so far....

[geauxsax]

Your Revelation has a much more modern LH cluster (my LH cluster is small, and has a "button" pearl G#); yours has same side bell keys, and also the front F. My palm keys are also odd--long and flat. I don't even see those on other Holtons of the time period. Not sure what else.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj58/oldcheapsaxguy/sax2019.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj58/oldcheapsaxguy/sax2018.jpg

[JayeSF]

Yes, it's different, actually. I gotta say, I was lookin' at that pinky cluster of yours...the pearl button G#...I LOVE it !

Yours is about 1930 ?

[geauxsax]

1931 per the new serial number list.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj58/oldcheapsaxguy/sax2020.jpg

[JayeSF]

Okay, so here are my initial impressions. I have been switching off and on between the two horns.

Both sounds have the same spread, the same overtones. One isn't narrower sounding than the other.,

The Revelation is a bit reedier sounding, a bit edgier, a tad brighter. The tones of the 241 sound purer, a bit mellower. The lower registers are equally ballsy on both, the upper registers are both nice and clear and they really punch well...slightly edgier on the Revelation, slightly smoother on the 241.

I can see when folks talk about Holton's ever-evolving/changing keywork designs. The lower stacks feel the same, but the placement and spacing of the pearl buttons on the upper is different, a little closer together than the 241; as is the feel of the low spatula right hand pinky keys...they are flanged on the Revelation, which gives a nice smooth slide from one to the other. They are flat and broader on the later 241, not as fancy - but the reach is a bit easier.

Both LH pinky tables are broad, but function very smoothly with no odd reaching required. Nice job on the roller placement and design.

So...I guess I'd conclude...

...the Revelation kicks butt...

...and the 241 kicks #ss.

That's the difference...:shock::TGNCHK:



Here they are together....total expenditure of $390 + $100 repairs for the 241, $405 and no repairs req'd for the Revelation.....truly, I almost feel guilty.....