Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/5/2008

Question
A few years back I fond a Holton Alto horn, Serial number 14963, lying in a trash pile on the side of the road where a house was cleaned out. The only thing that seems to be wrong with it is the tuning slide is missing. Other than that all the valves slide easily. I was wondering if you could tell me any background on this instrument, and if you know where I could possibly find a tuning slide? Thank You

Answer
That's an old one. It goes back to 1911.

It is possible that it is a high pitch horn.  If so, to make it playable the new tuning slide will need to be longer than what the original was.  

Obviously, with a horn that old, you are not going to get stock parts.  It will need to be custom made, and sometimes finding tubing of the right diameter is an issue.  

So, it sort of depends on what your plans with it are.  If you plan to sell it, you may not want to bother getting the tuning slide made, you probably won't get the cost of repairs out of the increased value.  

If you want me to take a look at it, you can send pictures to Kenton@punxypa.com