Silver Holton 169?

[baroquetrombone]

Did they make one?

I saw what I'm pretty sure was a silver 169 the other day, but I wasn't sure the silver plate was original. I figured it would be easy to check, but I can't find much info on them, but that makes me even more curious.

[baroquetrombone]

Really? No ideas? I didn't think there was ANY trombone question that this group wouldn't answer.

Maybe I'll try to track that thing down again.

[BGuttman]

169 was a pretty rare bird. It got supplanted early by the 18x series. Holton is now absorbed by the Conn-Selmer organization and I don't know if any of the models are still in production.

Silver plate was an option on the 169, but I don't know how many of those were sold.

[baroquetrombone]

Aha, thanks. If they were EVER available, that's all I really need to know. The only one I'm familiar with (and the only other one I've ever seen in person, I think) is Ray Premru's.

[gbedinger]

In 1973, one of my college (university) peers had a single valve Holton bass bone. It was a 10 inch bell with a silver “pebble” finish (much like a brushed or satin finish) with the inner bell of a gold wash. He replaced it with a TR-180 a year later.

That original trombone could have been a 169 (I was clueless about stuff back then), but it was a marvelous player. I haven’t seen nor heard anything like it since.

[baroquetrombone]

In 1973, one of my college (university) peers had a single valve Holton bass bone. It was a 10 inch bell with a silver “pebble” finish (much like a brushed or satin finish) with the inner bell of a gold wash. He replaced it with a TR-180 a year later.

That original trombone could have been a 169 (I was clueless about stuff back then), but it was a marvelous player. I haven’t seen nor heard anything like it since.

Oooh, that's even better to know. This one looked more satin on the bell and bright on the valve section. I didn't look inside the bell. I was thinking that the bell had been refinished or somehow otherwise messed with, but maybe not! Thanks for the info.

[btone]

If it had a "10 bell, it may have been more likely a 185.

[Burgerbob]

If it had a "10 bell, it may have been more likely a 185.

I don't think 185s ever came with a 10".

[btone]

If I'm not mistaken Fossil (Blast) once put in a post that he had owned a 10 inch bell 185.

[btone]

Unless I'm misremembering and it was a 180.

[blast]

If I'm not mistaken Fossil (Blast) once put in a post that he had owned a 10 inch bell 185.

Correct....10" was an option on the 185.

[chromebone]

I have seen a silver plated 169. It was in a music store on 48th street back in the late 90’s. I remember telling Jack Schatz about it and he bought it, but I don’t think he kept it.

[baroquetrombone]

I have seen a silver plated 169. It was in a music store on 48th street back in the late 90’s. I remember telling Jack Schatz about it and he bought it, but I don’t think he kept it.

Cool! Do you happen to remember if it was bright or satin?

[chromebone]

It was bright.

[ZacharyThornton]

I know someone in my area with a silver plated 169. He has Thayers and a Bach tuning slide.

[baroquetrombone]

Well, curiosity got the best of me. It's mine now. It's not in my possession yet, but I'll pick it up eventually and post some more details.

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[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

^now that’s something you don’t see everyday. Nice score!

[baroquetrombone]

Just an update on this: the friend who picked it up also took it to Eric Peterson in Minneapolis to clean it up. I was finally able to try it over Christmas. It...does not suck.

And the definitive answer is that yes, silver 169s exist.

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[modelerdc]

I have a 1963 Tr169 and a 1972 Tr185, they look identical in construction except for the bells. The Tr169 has a 9.5 inch bell with a soldered rim and the Tr 185 has a 10 inch bell with an unsoldered rim.

[Digidog]

Just an update on this: the friend who picked it up also took it to Eric Peterson in Minneapolis to clean it up. I was finally able to try it over Christmas. It...does not suck.

And the definitive answer is that yes, silver 169s exist.


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That's a nice score! Congrats!

Please give us an update on what you think about it. A friend of mine once had a 169, but in some darker, satin like brass. It played well, but the valve levers were in no good condition. I'm not sure he still has it, since he's since long retired and we haven't spoken in many years.

[WGWTR180]

I have a 1963 Tr169 and a 1972 Tr185, they look identical in construction except for the bells. The Tr169 has a 9.5 inch bell with a soldered rim and the Tr 185 has a 10 inch bell with an unsoldered rim.

When Holton entered the period where they stopped making the 185 and began focusing on the Tr180 some of the "leftover" 185s had 10 inch bells. They're not common but they're out there.