Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/29/2010

Question
I have just purchased a Holton Baritone serial number 5020 (1909).  I have had an instrument repair shop fix it up and it looks and sounds great.  However, I cannot get it to play in tune.  It is consistently flat at 440.  Is this common to instruments of this era or a fixable problem?

Answer
Well there are a couple of possibilities here.  

There is some indication that these horns were made to play at below 440.  

BUT

I have also found that using period mouthpieces often bring them up to pitch and also improve any intonation issues.  

I would sure try a vintage mouthpiece before I started cutting tubing to get them up to pitch.  

Unlike some more recent instruments, horns of the period you are talking about seem to have a better match between horn and mouthpiece.  

It is sensible since the mouthpiece can't adapt nor can the horn, that you need to see if you can adjust to a different mouthpiece.  

. . . or you can cut tubing and bring the horn up to pitch.