Bossco

Anyone have specs or opinions on the Holton Galaxy? I picked one up at a garage sale the other day. Seems like a nice instrument. History?

screamingmorris

Brass Review.com - Holton

Early 60's they had lacquered brass.
Late 60's they were nickel-plated.
Early 1970's renamed the Holton 401.
Approximately .459 bore.
Was considered an intermediate trumpet.
Was played by Buck Clayton, Holton ads showed him with one.

I once obtained a mint-condition late '60's Galaxy that was the most beautiful trumpet I've ever owned.
I soon discovered why mine was mint-condition.
Factory defects made that particular specimen un-usable.
The tuning slides had been nickel-plated too so that they were too big for the openings they were supposed to go in.
Get the slides in and they would be virtually frozen in place.
I had to use steel wool to remove the nickel from the slide parts so that they would finally slide.

Then the tuning slide radius was too big for the trumpet.
And I couldn't bend it smaller to fit the trumpet.
I had to strong-arm the leadpipe up about 1/8 inch to get the tuning slide in, then good luck trying to get the tuning slide back out.
As soon as the tuning slide was out the leadpipe would spring back into original position and the problem would start all over again.

No wonder someone put it in the case soon after buying it and let it sit in the case untouched for 40 years.

There are many satisfied owners of old Holton Galaxy trumpets.
I had the only one with factory defects.

But it looked gorgeous and played very well, which I think is what you were wanting to know.
I would like to get another one, late '60's, mint condition.

Is yours the brass with nickel accents, or is yours all nickel-plated?

Toobz

Screamingmorris, we'll have to call you Mr. Holton. Nice link !

Bossco

It's all nickel except for the valves (which are brass plated). It's a 1963 model I believe. Serial#365362.

screamingmorris

Those are *fine* trumpets.