Holton Tr-180 Slide Spring removal

[Bachsmusic]

Hey forum,

I’ve recently come into possession of a fully original Holton Tr-180 and have seen a few folks mention information about this, but I’d like to ask if anyone may have more specific information.

This is a great horn, and doesn’t need a lot of work, but one thing it definitely needs is the springs to get removed from the slide. I admired the concept of slide springs and had always wanted to try a vintage instrument with this quirk to see how it felt, especially with adjusting pitch on the fly. I see the point, but I just don’t think it is for me.

Does anyone have experience removing these springs without needing to disassemble the slide? I’ve seen examples of conn 88h owners doing similar, with paperclips, but I’d like to see what other info is maybe out there.

Thanks!

[paysonmcc]

I would take it to a tech. When I had the springs removed from my 88h and 72h, my tech was able to remove them in seconds. No need to risk scratching up your trombone. If I remember right you need to replace them with new felts (I don't think any are in there with springs), which is also easy for a good tech.

I never knew Holton had springs in their slides. My 169 didn't have any at least.

[WGWTR180]

Springs in a 180? Really? I own and have owned many. Never any springs.

[bassboneman69]

Springs in a 180? Really? I own and have owned many. Never any springs.

...nope for any of my Holtons!

[BGuttman]

Springs are relatively easy to add by any decent Tech. Bob Osmun put a set of springs on my Yamaha 682G when I bought it from him.

You can remove the springs just like you remove a felt bumper pad. Just remember to put new bumper pads or corks, as the originals were probably removed.

[Bonearzt]

I have a "trick" that I learned ages ago, maybe I'll share some day......

Or

With an adequate bribe of good bourbon......

[ssking2b]

Haney had Holton make the stockings longer, so springs were not necessary.

[WGWTR180]

Haney had Holton make the stockings longer, so springs were not necessary.

Which leads me to wonder why his 180 has springs.

[ssking2b]

Perhaps somebody had springs put in. Its hard to know where old horns have been if you don't get o ne from the original owner.

[Bachsmusic]

Hey forum, apologies for the late reply, I do not check back here as often as I should.

I’ll take some pictures and videos of the horn, particularly the slide and where it cam be heard that there are springs in there.

I went back to the original owner who gifted it to me, who said his parents bought it for him when he was in high school in ‘73, then he put it in a closet before his son used it in high school, then once he finished it went back to the closet, so to my understanding the slide came with the horn.
Maybe serial numbers may help? I found two, one on the bell section 518429 (where the Holton loyalist site places it before 1973) and on the slide, reading 183 78R. I have not found much info on these numbers, any help or info is appreciated!

I’m still trying to figure what’s best for it right now, plans are to split the triggers, but having the original D slide means not much work after that, but in either case I still think getting the springs out will help.

Be back soon with pictures and videos

Thanks!

[WGWTR180]

Hey forum, apologies for the late reply, I do not check back here as often as I should.

I’ll take some pictures and videos of the horn, particularly the slide and where it cam be heard that there are springs in there.

I went back to the original owner who gifted it to me, who said his parents bought it for him when he was in high school in ‘73, then he put it in a closet before his son used it in high school, then once he finished it went back to the closet, so to my understanding the slide came with the horn.
Maybe serial numbers may help? I found two, one on the bell section 518429 (where the Holton loyalist site places it before 1973) and on the slide, reading 183 78R. I have not found much info on these numbers, any help or info is appreciated!

I’m still trying to figure what’s best for it right now, plans are to split the triggers, but having the original D slide means not much work after that, but in either case I still think getting the springs out will help.

Be back soon with pictures and videos

Thanks!

Did the original owner have any insight on the springs? 180s don’t come with springs.

[Bachsmusic]

Hey forum, apologies for the late reply, I do not check back here as often as I should.

I’ll take some pictures and videos of the horn, particularly the slide and where it cam be heard that there are springs in there.

I went back to the original owner who gifted it to me, who said his parents bought it for him when he was in high school in ‘73, then he put it in a closet before his son used it in high school, then once he finished it went back to the closet, so to my understanding the slide came with the horn.
Maybe serial numbers may help? I found two, one on the bell section 518429 (where the Holton loyalist site places it before 1973) and on the slide, reading 183 78R. I have not found much info on these numbers, any help or info is appreciated!

I’m still trying to figure what’s best for it right now, plans are to split the triggers, but having the original D slide means not much work after that, but in either case I still think getting the springs out will help.

Be back soon with pictures and videos

Thanks!

Did the original owner have any insight on the springs? 180s don’t come with springs.

As far as I know, the original owner said that the slide with springs is what the horn came with when he got it in high school, he received it from his parents who simply bought what was there at the time. I do not know if maybe the springs were put in the slide prior to their purchase, but it’s got them for sure!

[Bachsmusic]

Follow up on pictures, and a short video of the slide compressing the springs. Horn is about to go in for getting the springs out and splitting the triggers, I’ll be sure to share the final result here!

Thanks for everyone’s feedback and help!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders ... R44NgQi2yY