Holton 185

[BristolBassBoneBob]

I have been very lucky to obtain a Holton 185 of excellent heritage. It came with the drop in second valve but it seems to be exceptionally fiddly to set it up.
Does anyone have photos of what it should look like on their horn they could share with me?
TIA.
Bob

[Burgerbob]

Did you get THE 185? Very jealous. Do you have pictures of the bits?

Mine was modified a bit after the fact to make it simpler.

[mrdeacon]

You can’t tease us like that! Post photos of the TR185! Those early TR185s are probably my favorite bass trombone.

Lots of those bird nest valve sections were modified or made from scratch after market. It’d also be helpful to see photos to confirm what you’ve got.

[BristolBassBoneBob]

I will post photos tomorrow.

[SamBTbrn]

viewtopic.php?start=50&t=6576&sid=6a1d3 ... 33d5d9a4e5

Maybe some In this thread?

[nopos]

My 2 Holton 169s, one with the original with plugin valve and the other modified with independent valves:

IMG_20240425_204821.jpg

[nopos]

Also check out this thread for some pics of an original TR185 with drop in valve: viewtopic.php?t=7519&start=50

[SwissTbone]

My 2 Holton 169s, one with the original with plugin valve and the other modified with independent valves:IMG_20240425_204821.jpg

Ok. Now I'm jealous.

[mrdeacon]

My 2 Holton 169s, one with the original with plugin valve and the other modified with independent valves:IMG_20240425_204821.jpg

The 169 with the independent valves is Chris Stearns old horn. I bought/traded it from him during the pandemic and I put it up on consignment at the Brass Ark. I wish I hadn’t sold it but I needed the money for a move. I’m glad it’s gone to a good home! It’s truly a special horn.

[BristolBassBoneBob]

Also check out this thread for some pics of an original TR185 with drop in valve: viewtopic.php?t=7519&start=50

Please could you post another photo of the non-adapted horn from the other side, so that I can see where the lever is.
Cheers

[stewbones43]

If I remember correctly (NOT always), there are photographs of the Holton 169 with and without the drop in valve in Edward Kleinhammer's book "The Art of Trombone Playing"

Cheers

Stewbones43

[NotSkilledHere]

that is gorgeous!!!! 185 with a plug is on the bucket list horns for me for sure!! Those are wonderful horns!

[nopos]

169 other side:

Screenshot_20250111-231308.jpg

Also check out this thread for some pics of an original TR185 with drop in valve: viewtopic.php?t=7519&start=50

Please could you post another photo of the non-adapted horn from the other side, so that I can see where the lever is.
Cheers

[BristolBassBoneBob]

Here it is.

[Burgerbob]

Looks like you have all the pieces. The 2nd paddle will clamp onto the main bell brace like the 169 photo above, you'll put in the 2nd valve, and the linkage rod attaches to the paddle with that little ball and socket arrangement.

[BristolBassBoneBob]

Looks like you have all the pieces. The 2nd paddle will clamp onto the main bell brace like the 169 photo above, you'll put in the 2nd valve, and the linkage rod attaches to the paddle with that little ball and socket arrangement.

I have managed to put it together and feel the horn is better balanced with the second valve in.
Please could you show me the modifications you have to your second valve?

[Burgerbob]

Looks like you have all the pieces. The 2nd paddle will clamp onto the main bell brace like the 169 photo above, you'll put in the 2nd valve, and the linkage rod attaches to the paddle with that little ball and socket arrangement.

I have managed to put it together and feel the horn is better balanced with the second valve in.
Please could you show me the modifications you have to your second valve?

Mine ended up like this in my hands, though it has been further modified by the new owner-









One of the few instruments I regret selling. I really wanted that one you got!!!

[bassboneman69]

Hello all,

I am just coming across this post now.

I have two 185’s. One of them has the birdsnest but it’s missing a mounting point and a trigger mechanism.


Anyone have a suggestion for a tech to create one?


Thanks a bunch.

Sam

[BristolBassBoneBob]

I have managed to put it together and feel the horn is better balanced with the second valve in.
Please could you show me the modifications you have to your second valve?

Mine ended up like this in my hands, though it has been further modified by the new owner-









One of the few instruments I regret selling. I really wanted that one you got!!!

I am very lucky to have bought the horn. Consequently I am doing without beer for a while.
It is great that I can use the horn for orchestral stuff where I rarely need the second valve but it doesn't work so great in big band with the second valve. It is tuned to Eb, so I need a D slide made. Alternating between 1st and both valves and back again is not very ergonomic. But I can let that pass me by as it responds so well and sounds awesome. I am lucky to have it.

[Burgerbob]

I am very lucky to have bought the horn. Consequently I am doing without beer for a while.
It is great that I can use the horn for orchestral stuff where I rarely need the second valve but it doesn't work so great in big band with the second valve. It is tuned to Eb, so I need a D slide made. Alternating between 1st and both valves and back again is not very ergonomic. But I can let that pass me by as it responds so well and sounds awesome. I am lucky to have it.

Keep me in mind if you ever want to move on

[WGWTR180]

My 2 Holton 169s, one with the original with plugin valve and the other modified with independent valves:IMG_20240425_204821.jpg

Who did your independent valve conversion?

[mrdeacon]

My 2 Holton 169s, one with the original with plugin valve and the other modified with independent valves:IMG_20240425_204821.jpg

Who did your independent valve conversion?

That’s Chris Stearn’s old horn. I sold it on consignment with the Brass Ark during the pandemic. The valves are a Chuck BrassLab valve set.

[WGWTR180]

Who did your independent valve conversion?

That’s Chris Stearn’s old horn. I sold it on consignment with the Brass Ark during the pandemic. The valves are a Chuck BrassLab valve set.

I never played that one of Chris's. And now that I look closer I see Chuck's linkage parts. Looks like a winner.

[gbedinger]

That’s Chris Stearn’s old horn. I sold it on consignment with the Brass Ark during the pandemic. The valves are a Chuck BrassLab valve set.

I never played that one of Chris's. And now that I look closer I see Chuck's linkage parts. Looks like a winner.

Looks like the valveset I sold to Chris; if so, I purchased it in 2008 from Jack Schatz. If not mistaken, he commissioned the work from Chuck.

[WGWTR180]

I never played that one of Chris's. And now that I look closer I see Chuck's linkage parts. Looks like a winner.

Looks like the valveset I sold to Chris; if so, I purchased it in 2008 from Jack Schatz. If not mistaken, he commissioned the work from Chuck.

Oh wow! I remember that section. Small world.

[gbedinger]

It certainly is!