What is this key for on this Holton?

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

Its a Holton. Rudy Wiedoeft I think. What Is this key used for? Near the low C#.

[sopranosaxman]

It could be the fork Eb key

[Graftonsax]

Wiedoeft's had all kinds of odd keys, my guess is for venting is this would close with the low C but not C# and anything above.

[Mal 2]

What Graftonsax said, more or less. This actually was to make low and middle D ring a bit clearer. That extra hole tries to compensate for the fact that the low C# hole normally stays closed. This is not all that odd a key though, it even appears on instruments built by Sax himself.

[Graftonsax]

I don't know why I don't have one of the Rudy horns, so many extra little cool things.

[bruce bailey]

Both of the Rudy horns I have have this (as mentioned to make the D better) along with the C# trill. My two reagular Holtons don't have it.

[michaelbaird]

That is a cool key. I wish I could afford to own more horns, but there comes a time when enough is enough, but I may have to breakdown and buy one of these.

[soybean]

The vent key is kind of useless and most players end up blocking it off. The extra key for high C# trill though is brilliant. Many Holtons have this, not just the Rudys… also many Euro horns such as Max Keilwerth and Hohner.

[bruce bailey]

Another great thing are the prices. I have 3 gold plated Holtons and even with new pads they are under $1K. I need to sell Conns, Martins and Bueschers for quite a bit more. Keep checking ebay and you may find a decent Rudy for less than $500 in playing condition. I think I paid less than $200 for a silver one that is almost playing and looks good. Very underrated horns.