Identity help please

[Russ]

I've always wanted to get an old tattyhorn to rip apart as a project. With this in mind, can anyone tell me what model this is ?

http://www.charlesfail.com/Holto%20Alto%20Saxophone.htm

I think I just purchased one (no where near as nice as the first link, granted)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7381044712&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11

I've no idea how old these horns are, but I believe pre 1920 ??

Any info will help. Thanks.

[Daktion]

Hey gratz on the win. Holton is a stencil off conn, buescher, martin, etc if I remember correctly. They can be great players aswell so you could have a gem in your hands. From that one pic, it looks to be made in the 20s and it shouldn't be a buescher stencil if I looked at the key layout right. I'll leave the rest of the analysis to the others <insert other member's expert insight here>

I recently bought a couple project horns and in the progress of taking it apart and overhauling them.... so far it has been quite rewarding and definately a learning experience.

btw Russ, I hope your wife is doing well ... tell her to keep smiling :)

[Dave dix]

If its a holton made holton its from 1914 but a lot of holtons were stencils and the pic is not very good. A close up of the serial number would help, the base protection strip looks conn but no merc logo C KEY GUARD.Tone holes dont look bevelled so its not martin
Better pics needed
Dave

[Russ]

Daktion, Many thanks. My wife is currently in the throws of chemotherapy but is holding up well. Yep, she still smiles alot ;)

Cheers Dave, as soon as the horn arrives, I'll upload some pics.

Regards.

[Russ]

Well,

The Holton arrived yesterday and it is identical to the one in my first link. MINUS TWO PILLARS and numerous poorly repaired dents to the bow which the seller neglected to mention.

The seller believes they were caused by the postal service but I don't think the postal service left the tell tail marks on the inside of the bow when knocking the dents out. :x :x

I know the horn was not expensive but because the above info was blatantly ommitted from the listing, I'm going to file a claim with Ebay /Paypal.

I wasn't expecting a crown jewel or anything but the seller definately misled bidders here by stating there were no dings and that all was missing was 3 pearls. Don't you just love being ripped off ?? Still, I have an open and shut case you would think. We'll see.....

[stitch]

I have an open and shut case you would think. We'll see.....

You would think, but you're right to be cautious. I had a not dissimilar experience a year or so ago. The seller claimed ignorance (despite the faults being obvious even to the most untrained of eyes, he described the item as in good condition) and refused to take part in any mediation. I paid by cheque, so didn't have the PayPal option. Eventually I took out a Small Claims Court action against him and he capitulated before it got any further, and ended up paying all my expenses. Turned out OK in the end, but a right royal pain in the butt and waste of time.

Good luck with your action; my advice: hope for the best but expect the worse ....

[Kritavi]

Its tough buying a horn based on one photo. When I sell on ebay I always have 12 pictures with enlargement and tend to buy from sellers who do the same. Too often one photo horns have damage not shown.

[Russ]

Its tough buying a horn based on one photo.

Normally I wouldn't, but I was after a do-er upper. Not a horn that has this much damage though. I spoke to the Paypal rep this evening - The seller has objected to the claim so it looks like I have to take the horn to a tech to get a qualified appraisal in writing before they make a decision. I'm happy with that.

[bruce bailey]

I looked at the second link (100 ps) and it appears to be like the Holton I have which is actually a Martin. Does yours have the soldered tone holes? If so, it can be a great horn. That case is surely not the original. Mine has a strange LH pinky cluster with the low C# and G# as one.

[Russ]

Hi Bruce.

The horn is identical to the first link, but is missing the fancy trill keys, the side B flat key, 2 posts, a couple of rods........Really sad, as the parts that are missing are probably not cost effective to trace. That's BEFORE even thinking about the dents etc.
If Paypal (for whatever reason) decide to go against me on this one, I'll offer it here for spares, maybe turn it into a wall ornament, or relist it on Ebay with a true representation of it's condition and will make sure that anyone viewing knows where it came from :D :D

Whatever I do, I'm bound to lose my 100% feedback :x

[bruce bailey]

Keep watching the US and Canada ebay and you may just find a parts horn for yours. If it had the extra keys (the C# trill) it probably is a Holton built one and may be hard to find. I will keep an eye out on ebay as I go there about 3 times a day and maybe something with a bent body will come along.

[Bernards20040]

Anyone have any ideas about my holton
it is a satin gold plated tenor with polished gold plated keys and polished inside the bell (finish about 90%)
serial No 89XX so im guessing pretty early
has no engraving apart from frank Holton etc (nothing ornate)
it has soldered but not bevelled tone holes
has the extra C# and G trill keys (i think thats right not up on which tone holes called what)

If anyone knows this horn what mouthpiece would you reccomend i have the original but it is a really closed piece and a little short for modern reeds.


thanks in advance
Bernie