Holton 181 thoughts?

aaronhynds · by **aaronhynds** » 2019-02-25 11:27 a.m.

Hello, all!

I currently own a Yamaha 613H, and I have the opportunity to do a straight trade for a Holton TR181 in similar condition and age. Although the Yamaha plays a little better right now (due to being used to it), the TR181 does play well, and it has a few features that I like better than the Yamaha. For one, I have a large neck, and the Holton feels a little more comfortable than the Yamaha with its out-sized valves. And since the tubing is all on the left side of the bell section on the Holton, it doesn't feel as closed in. I think the Yamaha valves are a little more free-blowing, but the Holton still performs well.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is--does this seem like a fair trade? I'm a tuba player first and foremost, so I'm not as well-versed in the world of bass trombone models.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2019-02-25 11:44 a.m.

Personally, I would stick with the Yamaha all day over the 181.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2019-02-25 11:44 a.m.

I've seen people try to get ridiculous prices for 613hs. And I don't really like 181s. I'd say you're giving more than you're getting. It's really up to you and the 181 owner, though. If you think you'll like the other horn better, then it's a good deal for you. Of course it depends on condition as well. You might do better to sell the 613h outright.

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2019-02-25 11:53 a.m.

I don’t think you would be doing too badly. Assuming you like the 181. The Yamaha is probably worth a bit more. Maybe a small amount of cash or extra mouthpieces could be worked into the deal.

ghmerrill · by **ghmerrill** » 2019-02-25 11:59 a.m.

I really have no expertise here, and no experience with the Yamaha. Years and years (and years) ago I had a TR-181 and loved some things about it. But I didn't love the ergonomics. I'd just advise that you be sure you'll be comfortable with it. That 10" bell was great as a sound projector, but I always felt that the horn was heavy and somewhat cumbersome. "Pleasant to play" is not a description I'd use for it. However, nowadays with various sorts of hand braces and such, it might be more manageable. But I think that if you don't KNOW you'll be totally comfortable playing it for an extended period, think again.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2019-02-25 4:59 p.m.

If you really dig Holtons I think you'll be happy. Objectively though... the Yamaha is a better horn and worth a few hundred more.

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2019-02-27 7:41 p.m.

Contrary to the post above, I have found the Holtons doubles (180 and 181) to be somewhat light in weight and comfortable to hold.

Neo_Bri · by **Neo_Bri** » 2019-02-28 4:19 p.m.

I like Yamahas and the Holtons. The Holtons I've had have been on the heavy side.

ghmerrill · by **ghmerrill** » 2019-02-28 4:24 p.m.

Might be an issue of build time. The one I had was 1994.

WeekendWailer · by **WeekendWailer** » 2019-02-28 7:56 p.m.

I've never played the Yamaha so I can't give a recommendation. I will say that my 181 has a decent amount of weight to it. It's an early one from the late 70s and has a lot of bracing. There are 11 braces between the various attachments and bell section.

aaronhynds · by **aaronhynds** » 2019-03-01 9:56 a.m.

Thanks for all of the comments, folks! I was actually able to try both horns side by side for awhile, and I'm going to stick with my Yamaha. I'm more used to the horn, which definitely was a factor, but I noticed that the Yamaha was a little bit tighter and focused in the low range. I'm a tuba player, so if I want a broad, diffuse low range, I'll just pick up one of those instead!

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-03-01 10:09 a.m.

Every time I hear about a Holton 181, I remember that massively long thread from TTF where the dad was telling that story about the stolen Holton 181, that the school was trying to steal from his son, but that the forum deduced was probably stolen from somewhere else.

So if I see one, I can't help but think that it's stolen.

FeelMyRath · by **FeelMyRath** » 2019-03-01 1:56 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]Every time I hear about a Holton 181, I remember that massively long thread from TTF where the dad was telling that story about the stolen Holton 181, that the school was trying to steal from his son, but that the forum deduced was probably stolen from somewhere else.

So if I see one, I can't help but think that it's stolen.[/quote]

That was a 180 iirc

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2019-03-01 2:13 p.m.

I haven’t looked but, in the old forum, there were a number of threads about the 181 including a number of posts from the late Mike Suter about what kept the 181 from being a great bass trombone.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-03-01 2:22 p.m.

[quote="FeelMyRath"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="79479" time="1551452940" user_id="3642">
Every time I hear about a Holton 181, I remember that massively long thread from TTF where the dad was telling that story about the stolen Holton 181, that the school was trying to steal from his son, but that the forum deduced was probably stolen from somewhere else.

So if I see one, I can't help but think that it's stolen.[/quote]

That was a 180 iirc
</QUOTE>

Oh, whups. I think you're right!

Backbone · by **Backbone** » 2019-03-01 3:24 p.m.

[quote="Bach5G"]I haven’t looked but, in the old forum, there were a number of threads about the 181 including a number of posts from the late Mike Suter about what kept the 181 from being a great bass trombone.[/quote]

There was also a thread or two in which forum member blast detailed how to make the 181 much better.

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Holton 181 thoughts?