Haven't smoked for years Walt. Just speaking from my own personal experience, which I'll admit doesn't even come close to your 30 years. While in high school, my band director invested in four new 179's, and every single one of them had problems. I remember that the one that I got had three slides whose tubing came unsoldered, one brace that came loose, and the valves were a constant problem (and yes, I did know how to properly maintain a horn). The other three horns had similar problems, as I remember. I think all but 1 of the horns had to be sent back for warranty work. Around that time, I bought a used 177, and it was a decent horn for the price. I still have the horn as a back-up. I've only personally known two people who play on merker-matics, and both have a deep resentment and are very bitter about them. Obviously there are some excellent Holtons out there. In MY experience, the overwhelming majority have been a disappointment. Maybe I just know a lot of bitter, resentful people.
As for the tuning comment, I am simply saying that I have only played on one Holton (a 180, I think) that I felt had a nice, even scale. Can I play a Holton in tune? Of course. I just feel like I have to struggle to seat some of the notes. As for the Yamahas and Conns. I have yet to play a Conn that wasn't a nice horn. I agree with you there. Those Conn 6d's seem to last forever. I suppose if there was a nuclear holocaust, the only things to survive would be cockroaches and Conn 6d's. As for the Yamahas, I've only tried the 667 (6 different new ones), the 667V and one of their custom triples. All that I tried were excellent instruments. A question I have for you, with respect for your considerable experience and in all seriousness: Why has Holton received so much abuse? If they are truly putting out a consistently good quality product, then why the bad reputation? Someone should see if we can get "Consumer Reports" magazine to do a horn issue! No need to apologize for "strong words". Can't stand apathy. Regards, Josh ----- Original Message ----- From: "Walt Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "The Horn List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Horns for Middle School > What are you smoking, Josh? > > I have owned and played Holton's for over thirty years and I'll agree that > there are better horns, but the Holton's I've played on play in tune! Some > have been a bit stuffy, but I not had any reservations in recommending five > of my current students to purchase either used or new Holtons. The one used > one was owned by a lister, and if the young lady ever sells it, I have told > her I want first refusal to buy it from her, I like the horn that well. > When my students purchase a new horn I admonish them to oil their valves > every time they play to break in the valves correctly. Of the four students > that bought new horns, only one had a problem that was completely covered > by LeBlanc by the complete Warranty. NO IT WAS NOT A VALVE PROBLEM! It was > a problem with red rot from the soldering process. The horn was sent back > to Holton and when returned, the workmanship was absolutely flawless! > > Compared to the student that came into my studio with a stencil Bach/Yamaha > 567 that in no way in Hades could be tuned, I would take a Holton or a > Conn.In my opinion, there is not a mass produced horn that is perfect. You > should also remember that Rebecca is asking for advice for Middle School > students, so pruchasing the instrument for a middle school level the price > and quality should reflect what is purchased. With my current number > students, most are middle school students. Kids tend to be rough on horns > due to many factors, including just being klutzy...bearing that in mind, > getting something that can take the abuse that a middle school aged kid can > dish out, I would opt for either a Conn 6d or a student line double such as > a Holton 178, 179 or the 378, 379 series. One must be able to think about > how easily and quickly the horn can be repaired when Susie or Johnny drops > it accidently. I have a close friend that is on this list and does repairs, > and he and I share the same opinion about Yamaha horns. The parts are too > delicate. My student who had the 567 had valve problems that resemble the > thread that Steve and Hans have been flaming each other about, grit left > over after manufacturing and whether to flush it out or not... > > Sorry to come on so strong at the beginning, but I for one am tired of all > of the abuse that Holton has received lately. You'd think by all of the > crap that has been dished out to Holton, that there were manufactured as > poorly as the "boat anchors and door stops" coming out of China that are > listed on Ebay for 500 bucks... _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
