Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/6/2007

Question
I Have a Holton Cornet Ser#14245 (patent pending)New Proportion is inscribed on the bell.  It is in the original case with several attachments which I believe would change it's key. What could you tell me about this horn?   Thank you!!

Answer
The Holton company described this instrument as such:

After a long series of experiments on the cornet, dealing with the effects different proportions of bore, taper, etc., have on the quality of tone, tune, volume and ease of blowing, we have built a long model cornet on principles that we have proved to be correct, and which is today the most beautiful and well-balanced cornet manufactured, and has been adopted by more professionals players that any other cornet on the market.

Heretofore many cornetists have been prejudiced against the long model cornet because the majority that have been placed on the market were merely the old short model with the mouthpiece shortened and the bell lengthened. In the "New Proportion" Long Model Cornet we have a perfectly proportioned instrument. The tone is of beautiful quality that blends perfectly with string instruments in orchestra work as the tone is more mellow than that of the short model, but at the same time retains the brilliancy of the tone of the shortmodel cornet, with excellent carrying quality, so essential for band and solo work.