Holton Bulletin November 1929. This monthly publication is dated November 1929; Volume VI; Number 10. It was devoted to the Interests of Members of the Holton organization at home and abroad; published by Frank Holton & Co. The booklet is approximately 6″ X 9″. Holton: Model: Collegiate: Serial# 9775: Date Made: Prod. Range: Pitch: Description: Interesting instrument. It says Made in USA, but no where does it name Holton. And, the serial number does not seem consistent with the Holton sequence. Commentary: Comment: To use picture in a post, paste this line. Instruments manufactured after 1936 range in serial number from 1350-3600. The log book shows the serial numbers jumping around quite a bit for the Selmer/Adolphe Sax saxophones. Even so, its possible from this record to assemble a basic serial number chart for these instruments. A repository of our manufacturing serial numbers listed out for your convenience. Armstrong Bach Brass C.G. Conn Henri Selmer Paris Holton King Leblanc Ludwig Ludwig-Musser Scherl & Roth Selmer Yanagisawa. Division of Education Home Services Communities Clinician About Us Events Resources.
- Frank Holton Trumpet Serial Numbers
- Holton Sousaphone Serial Numbers
- Holton Serial Numbers After 1980
- Holton Collegiate Cornet Serial Numbers
There were numerous models of Frank Holton & Co. trumpets / cornets through the years. This is a collection of user submitted instruments. Click on thumbnails for larger images.
Scroll down for Cornet examples.
Model: 45
Series: Revelation
Key: Bb
A medium bore moderately priced trumpet of exceptional performance. The outstanding feature of this model is the slight “edge” to its tone quality which makes it the preferred instrument with many trumpet players, especially for radio and recording work.
Responds very easily and quickly and with fine flexibility. Superior tuning even to an excellent middle D.
- Top action valves
- Bore 0.459
- Weight 39 ounces.
Model: 47
Series: Symphony
Key: Bb
The Holton No. 47 trumpet sets entirely new and higher standards of intonation even without the aid of its quick acting tuning fist slide “trigger” and third slide tuning adjustment.
Coupled with this tuning, model No. 47 delivers a live, vibrant, satisfying tone that responds easily, quickly and yet with a controlled resistance that makes even the longest sessions noticeable easier. Valve action is lighting fast to ingenious design and the use of special copper-nickel alloy valves which require no plating and which have an oil retaining finish.
- Medium bore (0.459)
- One piece bell
Model: 48
Series: Revelation
Key: Bb
An all purpose trumpet, Model 48 is particularly recommended for those who like plenty of power, unusual freedom of response and a big, yet brilliant tone. Larger bore mouthpiece and bell give a little more power and a fuller tone than model 45. Yet it has a beautiful and exceptionally easy high register. Top action shrouded springs and very light and fast.
- Bore 0.459
- Bell diameter 4 13/16 inches
- Weight approximately 39 ounces.
Model: 48
Series: Revelation “Llewellyn” model
Key: Bb
Edw. Llewellyn was the first trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 20’s and 30’s. He was one of the most well known trumpet players of his time. (Renold Schilke studied with Llewellyn starting in 1928.) He played Holton Revelations exclusively and this is simply a version of such with a large bore to suit his use.
The main tuning slide is reversed like the Martin Committee Model, and I would compare the sound most closely to the Committee. It would most likely have been used originally in an orchestral situation, however this is an amazing jazz horn today.
The price for a standard Holton Revelation in 1927 cost $87.00. The cost for the Deluxe as auctioned here was $210.00
Model: 49
Series: Stratodyne
Key: Bb
Model 49 Stratodyne Trumpet – The Stratodyne trumpet responds almost as easily and lightly as breathing itself. The high register is remarkably easy and playable. Tone is brilliant, but not brittle -0 full, not heavy – truly an all-purpose trumpet.
In short the Holton Stratodyne is built to satisfy the most exciting and those who want the best money can buy. To own a Stratodyne is to know the pleasure, confidence and pride of ownership which go with possession of a truly fine musical instrument.
Bore 0.459, weight without mouthpiece 38 ounces, bell diameter 4 13/16. Equipped with a “trigger” tuning adjustment on the first slide.
Model: 51
Series: Revelation
Key: Bb
Developed by Holton for professionals who demand the ultimate in large bore power, brilliance and response, this trumpet has met with enthusiastic praise wherever it has appeared. With all of its power house capacity, it retains the fine tonal coloring, exceptional flexibility, fine intonation, and easy blowing qualities that characterize Holton trumpets.
Large Bore (0.465). Bb only.
Model: 58 Bass trumpet
Series: Symphony
Key: Bb
No. 58 Bass Trumpet – The bass trumpet is becoming an increasingly popular tenor voice in both band and orchestra. The Holton Model 58 is an exceptional fine bass trumpet pitched in Bb, an octave below regular trumpets. Very easy blowing. Beautiful tone. Fine Intonation.
There were numerous models of Frank Holton & Co. cornets through the years. This is a collection of user submitted instruments. Click on thumbnails for larger images.
- •
- •
| Model | Start # | End # | ||
| Stencils | unknown | unknown | ||
| Series I | 1 | (1935) | 1,200 | (1940) |
| Series II | 1,200 | (1940) | 3,400 | (1950) |
| Bel Air | 34,000 | (1950) | 80,000 | (1970) |
| Imperial | 40,000 | (1952) | 45,000 | (1953) |
| M70 | 80,000 | (1970) | 100,000 | (1980) |
| Universal | unknown | (1980) | unknown | (1984) |
Dolnet (pronounced DOL-NAY) is a model which has been getting steadily more popular since I started this website. There is a good reason for this: the horns are solidly made, are quite jazzy and have a fairly good sound, although there are some negative comments here and there regarding intonation.
There isn't a Dolnet model or serial number chart, per se, so I essentially am creating this based on engravings, user input and manufacturing differences.
As far as real Dolnet history goes, Dolnet was founded in 1880 and started manufacturing saxophones around 1888. I'm going to let guest columnist Laurie Pimblett take it from here:
Over the years I've been exclusively collecting French saxes. Along the way I've made a small collection of Dolnets; these I regard as unknown treasures of the sax world, and I rate them very highly indeed. They are often good -- sometimes breathtaking -- and rank amongst the best saxes I've ever played!
I understand that there were two partners in the Dolnet company, going by the names of Messieurs Pigis and Lefevre; their workshop was situated at Mantes, the historical 'heart' of France's woodwind craft workshops, and fascinatingly, the home of the Selmer marque [and Buffet, etc.].There is much in common with Selmers in terms of technical points and general ease of action and feel, though sometimes there are small errors in construction -- such as occasional solder- and rod-looseness both very easily dealt with -- but not worth getting 'sniffy' about if you want a potentially superb instrument like a Dolnet.
Frank Holton Trumpet Serial Numbers
... and the quoted and requoted line that's going around the Internet (this is Wichita Band Instruments' version):
Dolnet horns were produced in very small numbers by a small French workshop that specialized in saxes. See page #193 of the German book 'That's Jazz', for a photo of Lester Young playing a Dolnet tenor.
IMHO, it appears that Dolnet production parallels Buffet, SML and Couesnon production, more than Selmer: not only is the keywork design on early Dolnets similar to early SML's (and becomes similar to Buffet after about 1940), some of the Jean Cartier stencils have the beautiful Sparkle Lacquer that is most famously found on the Buffet Super Dynaction. The overall look is definitely influenced by (or influenced) Couesnon horns. All this makes me agree with David Hughes (an e-mailer): the Dolnets were produced until at least the mid-1980's, not the 1960's as many websites indicate (see also Saxophon-Service, which advocates an end date of 1984).
As mentioned, there isn't an official serial number list, although there are some ranges cobbled together, below. It seems, however, that the serial number ranges incorporate the full production of ALL instruments produced by Dolnet, not just saxophones. I'd think that production of saxophones was no more than 500 horns per year.
Holton Sousaphone Serial Numbers
Holton Serial Numbers After 1980
Also note that the 'Bel Air' series introduced letters after the serial number. If you see a 'C' after the serial number, it isn't a C instrument!
No Dolnet feature pages were found in the database.
Holton Collegiate Cornet Serial Numbers
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