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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / Holton C-melody report

Next 20 Messages
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Nov 27th 2:22 PM
(2007) Just recieved the Holton C-mel #22051. This is only the 2nd C-mel I've owned. It took a while to blow it because no tenor mouthpiece would fit. The neck has a smaller bore than the Buescher C-mel. Interestingly, the bell is larger than the Buescher. I finally found an alto mpc that works well.

First impressions of the Holton: not as loud or bright as a Buescher, much more in tune than Buescher, altissimo register is very easy, the "master keys" have a lot of potential. Having a front-F is a great convenience, too.

One of the 'extra' keys is really valuable and I wonder why it didn't survive into the modern era. That is the right-hand side key for playing high D (D3). Trilling from C# to D or C to D becomes smooth and easy. After playing for a half hour, I missed having this key on my modern tenor.

The original mouthpiece is the Holton half metal/ half-hard rubber model #1. I prefer modern pieces. By the way, anybody know if this was the very first metal mouthpiece?

I'm thinking the Holton is probably worth the re-pad that it desperately needs. With resonater pads, it might gain a little more Buescher-type volume. The good intonation and inovative keywork are what impresses most about the Holton. The sound may be a little more alto-like than the Buescher. One more thing… the strap ring is in a much better place than most C-mels, making this easier to hold.
jazzbug1 2007
User ID: 0735934
Nov 29th 9:55 AM
I love the pre-war Holtons. You did well to get a horn from the mid-1920s. A few years older and it would lack the front F, and have possible intonation and plating problems. As far as I know, the Goldbeck was the first metal mouthpiece in 1920. The Holtons appeared soon after. The Holton has a huge chamber. If you open the tip, it gives a very full sound. The Holton alto mouthpieces work OK on the C Melodys, but produce less volume. The C Melody mouthpiece is worth about $30-50 on Ebay. Good Luck!!!
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Nov 29th 1:48 PM
(2007) Jazzbug, I was hoping you'd see this… glad to know you approve.

Regarding the side key for playing high 'D'. Did the pre-war Holton altos and tenors have it? Do you know if any other saxophones have included this trill key?
bruce bailey
User ID: 9690803
Nov 30th 12:00 AM
That is generally called a C# trill and quite popular on flutes. It enables a C or C# to D trill. Holton is the only US maker that I recall having it and I think it goes back to before 1920. My late 20s Rudy has it. I had a new Hohner in 1962 that had it.
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Nov 30th 1:16 AM
What was that Hohner? An alto? I recall they were made in Japan. Some of their guitars were pretty good in the 1970s but not top-notch.

Now that you mention flutes, maybe that's why i like this C# trill key so much… my first instrument was the flute!
alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814
Nov 30th 6:53 AM
soybean - I have Holton C-Mel 22111, only 60 on... The spatula front-F is similar to the Buffet ones. Only other C-Mel to have had Front-F's almost from the start is the King - I find the key invaluable, even for stronger alternate high E & F, or arpeggios/intervals (C to E or F is so much simpler), plus of course harmonics.

The C#/D trill, if my memory serves me correct, was still on a 40/50's Holton alto that I had. That was also a good work-horse sax, Holton's never were a 'top' name amongst saxophones, the poor reputation is a bit undeserved, but it does mean that they can be acquired cheaper.

bruce bailey
User ID: 9690803
Dec 1st 12:20 AM
The Hohner I had was probably made by Keiwerth for them It was a US Army horn that was bought new by them in Germany in 1962. It was an Alto. It may have been a "President" model, silver plated and a great horn. I used it for two years in High School in Heidelberg.
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Dec 1st 12:31 AM
That jibes with what i found online, saying that those Hohner President saxes were made by Keilwerth's brother (Max?). It would be fun to play a tenor or alto with that D trill key. Thanks for the info!
jazzbug1 2007
User ID: 0735934
Dec 4th 8:08 AM
I find the spatula front F key to be better than the button. Keilworth and now Selmer are using the spatula type, as it is easier to glide the left index finger, as in the A key of the clarinet, than to make a more deliberate movement by lifting the index finger up and placing it on the button type key. Was Holton the first with the spatula? Conn and King used the button key and I haven't seen any other American saxophones of the 1920s with the high F except these three makers.
Captain Beeflat 2007
User ID: 1738604
Dec 4th 8:18 AM
JB1
Late Bueschers had also had the high F (aux F) key... albeit a button.
jazzbug1 2007
User ID: 0735934
Dec 4th 9:42 AM
Unfortunately, Gus Buescher became a "late Buescher" also.
alan (uk)
User ID: 1731514
Dec 4th 10:24 AM
jb1 - I'd think that Buffet-Crampon (Evette & Schaeffer) had the spatula front-F as an 'option' a bit earlier than Holton - I've got some scans of their patents somewhere, I'll look them out (project #33716...)
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Dec 4th 2:55 PM
(2007) I prefer the spatula, but if a button key is properly placed, i hardly notice the difference.

BTW, i just got a King C-mel on eBay. After it arrives, i'll do a review like for the Holton. This makes three C-mels in the collection and i don't see myself buying any more with the exception of a modern one such as Aquila.
bruce bailey
User ID: 9690803
Dec 5th 12:54 AM
My Holton Rudy alto has the spatula front F.
jazzbug1 2007
User ID: 0735934
Dec 5th 11:25 AM
I performed once with a British singer, who was also an engineer for Holton. Her name: Spatula Clark That's about the dumbest one yet!
bruce bailey
User ID: 9690803
Dec 6th 12:47 AM
What about Pearl Bailey for the front F?
Snarky Parker
User ID: 9725373
Dec 6th 12:59 AM
God help us all!
alan (uk)
User ID: 1278884
Dec 6th 5:10 AM
Nah, saxophones are non-secular, he's no help...

(or 'she', if you subscribe to a certain religion)
jazzbug1
User ID: 7503923
Dec 7th 10:03 PM
Soybean -- Thanks for posting me on SOTW. I finally figured how to get my abacus to work on the website. Sorry about the various information. I was working from demented memory, but the final documented posting is correct.
soybean
User ID: 0401124
Dec 8th 2:17 PM
(2007)

Jazzbug- my pleasure. This stuff is fascinating. Holton made some really good horns and people should know the history. At the very least, folks should be able to get an approximate date for their Holton sax. I thought the various information made interesting reading.


As to using your abacus; always check the batteries.
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