Hello, I have a Holton, double horn with screwbell, nickle plated, with a Lawson Leadpipe. The serial # is 610XXX. I cannot find the Model #. Any suggestions?

I'll probably get shot for this, but - - Holton places their model numbers on the leadpipe. If you don't have the original leadpipe then we cannot be sure of what model you have. Typically there are two Holton models that come in all Nickel silver. The H177 and the H179. Based on the expense of Lawson leadpipes and the people that would purchase and install one I would guess you probably have a model H179.

There is a possibility it could be an H175. If it has an adjustable finger hook and a reversible change valve we can measure the slide tubes to find out for sure. If it does not have an adjustable finger hook I would suppose it is the model H179.

Thank You. It does not have an adjustable finger hook. Would the model # be the 200 series because of the screw bell? Also, what is the visable difference between the H277 and the H279?

If it is a factory cut bell then yes, you could call it a 200 series. The visible difference to you between the 277 and 279 is invisible. The technical difference is the 279 has a larger bell throat taper. Most people can't see this with their naked eye.

Thanks. Is there a measurements list somewhere? The horn plays well and I am definitely going to purchase it. I just like to know all the details about my instruments.

If you have access to a Vernier caliper you can measure the inside tube diameter of the slides. The H179 will have tubes with an inside diameter (ID) of .468 inch. On the Merker matic the F side tubes will be .468 ID, and the Bb side tubes will be .460 ID.

I will check them out.

I measured and they are all .468

Then I think you have the H179 (H279) with a Lawson leadpipe. I have never played a Holton with a Lawson leadpipe, but it is funny you are looking at one now as just two weeks ago I had lunch with a couple of well known people in the Horn world, and some names came up about people w ho have played Holtons with Lawson leadpipes.

Have fun with it.

Out of curiosity, how much difference does does a leadpipe make?

A leadpipe can make a huge humongous difference. Perhaps more than anything else. The tapers of a leadpipe need to match the tapers of the bell. Many professional players modify their instruments and the first and often only change is the leadpipe.

The leadpipe opens up in steps; this is the tapering we talk about. How long and how big these steps are allows the air to blow more freely or less freely. Leadpipes will affect the intonation, the tone color, the attack, everything you can think of. A Lawson pipe on a Holton is supposed to be a fabulous investment. Mr. Lawson knew what he was doing and spent lots of time and money investigating the effects.

I'm betting this is a sweeeeeet horn!

Valerie Wells, big Holton fan
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/

Thank you very much for the info. I will have even more respect for it.

Just an FYI, Holton also makes an H379 model that is silver and my serial number on my horn is in the 569xxx range so you could also have a model 379. If you go to Holton-horns.com you can check out high quality photos of the different models.

My understandin is the H379 is considered more of an intermediate horn while the other models listed before are more on the pro side of the Holton-Farkas horns.

A retired university horn teacher and Holton fan told me that the Holton 300 line is a "student line." He said to note that there is a lyre holder on the 300 line horns for marching band. He explained that the overall quality in construction will vary from horn to horn, but that many of these horns are wonderful instruments almost equivalent to the higher priced 100 lines. Quality will vary from horn to horn.

Valerie Wells
The Balanced Embouchure Method
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/