It's not a Holton, or is it?

**Walter Webb** · 08-30-2009, 06:11 AM

This nice fellow thinks his Gretsch Commander was made by Frank Holton, but I don't think so. I see more Beuscher cues on this puppy than Holton. It's a beauty in a dinosaurish sort of way, with the long-faded-to-brass lacquer and art deco styling.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Saxophon...d=p3286.c0.m14

**bruce bailey** · 08-30-2009, 06:37 PM

G# shape and brown rollesr seem to be Buescher to me!

**geauxsax** · 08-30-2009, 07:13 PM

Not a Holton. Either a Buescher as Bruce says, or maybe something French? (Didn't Gretsch use French and/or Italian stencils?) I think the confusion comes from the fact that Gretsch and Holton were both located in Elkhorn.

**soybean** · 08-30-2009, 07:58 PM

Gretsch was also a USA distributer for Couesnon saxes. Some of the cases are really cool.

**jazzbug1** · 08-31-2009, 04:07 PM

I opt for European, as I have never seen a low C cage like that on a US built horn. Also, the fork F key is NOT Holton. Just another alto in the great heap of 1920s-30s saxophones. A music store might offer $25.00 for it, repair it and rent it for $150.00 per year until it dies tragically on parking lot pavement during football band practice. Sorry, the awful Summer weather is taking a toll on my outlook.

**musicwriter2001** · 08-31-2009, 07:40 PM

that certainly does not look like any of the holtons that i own.

**LaPorte** · 08-31-2009, 09:33 PM

In addition to Gretsch saxophones made by Buescher (the one above) I've seen some made by Martin, Couturier and York.
At the beginning thirties there had been some COLLEGIATE II stencilled by Gretsch, too. Those are very rare.