Dillon/Reverb: Holton TU331 BBb

[hrender]

https://www.dillonmusic.com/used-holton ... n-674061-/

[bort2.0]

The elusive Harvey Phillips model Holton tuba. Neat!!

[Three Valves]

"Solid American built BBb tuba that is in great shape."

I thought they were Yamahas.

[bloke]

I realize that I've become a fairly annoying B flat convert lately, almost as bad as former smokers... but I would certainly pick the 331 over the 330. If for no other reason because a low f can be played on a 331 that's in tune. Also - me being skeptical of the sales rhetoric that went with these models when they were being manufactured - I'm pretty sure that the 331 model is strongly based on a tried and true bugle that Holton had made for several decades. I also suspect that the bell taper is the same as that one would find on very old York and Holton 18 and 19 inch bell tapers of that size instrument.

[edfirth]

On the last Welk reunion show that I saw Rich Maloof was playing on one of these (in Bb) and he really sounded great. Ed

[bloke]

I've only encountered/repaired the 330, but surely would like to compare the 331 (not just a picture, but a "hard copy") to my 1960's (the last version that Holton built, prior to pulling that tooling back out - for the last time - and building the 331) to the Holton that I took apart, repaired, and reconfigured for my own use...

The valveset bore size on mine is roughly .6mm larger, but whose to say that .665" (Holton's forever bore size with this body size) doesn't work BETTER than the bore size on mine...?? (Just as a reminder, The York bore size - VERY similar instruments - was about .010" - .015" SMALLER than the Holton bore size...and those played fine.)

[hrender]

"Solid American built BBb tuba that is in great shape."

I thought they were Yamahas.

This and the CC equivalent were US made---at least, there was no Yamaha version of these horns. Not sure where they were manufactured.

On the last Welk reunion show that I saw Rich Maloof was playing on one of these (in Bb) and he really sounded great. Ed

@edfirth -- If you have a link to a video of that, I'd love to see it.

FWIW, this is Roger Lewis' old post on the horn and how it should be played.

[bort2.0]

[MN_TimTuba]

Oh, man. I tried to buy one of these before my 191. I'm very happy with my similar 2341-5, especially with Lee's tweaks, but I'd love to take a 331 for a spin.
I hope whomever buys it is a forum member so we can get full details.
MNTim "happy but always on the lookout" Tuba

[matt g]

Interesting in that these are basically laid out to be played as 3 valve tubas with a register valve. This isn’t unlike a lot of old 4 valve horns, but is going to feel weird to someone wanting to play C below the staff 4th valve.

[Tubajug]

Looking at the picture, am I right in assuming that the valve section is removable, plus the bell, bottom bow and first branch (as one piece)? Interesting design!

[bloke]

I remember when Maloof was first married, and I was graduating from high school. He and Mary Lou did a duet on The Welk Show. I'm thinking he played a 10J.
I think it had that stuff sprayed on it that they sprayed on shiny surfaces to avoid burning TV cameras back then. The few times that I was on TV during that era they sprayed that crap on my tuba.

I barely knew what a "10J" was. I had just begun taking lessons, and my teacher took me down to the instrument storage room, and showed me one through it's cage door.

[edfirth]

On the subject of Rich Maloof, Dave Edwards,the tall reed guy with unusual glasses often featured on alto who sat in the middle of the section, I had the absolute pleasure of playing a four hour casual every night of December at the New Orleans themed hotel at the Rat.Well he, Johnny Zell(the lead trumpet), and Rich were in a National Gaurd band together when Dave joined the Welk band and when the trumpet and bass/tuba spots opened up he got Larry to listen to them and the rest was history. Dave also left first because he was getting alot of work in the studios. Rich played on some cool horns over the years. I think in this order but could be wrong, a laquered sousaphone, the aforementioned Conn 10J, a giant silver 3 top banger fixed bell horn the make of which I'm not sure about buy I'd Guess York or mabye lyon and Healy, a 3 valve front banger laquered Martin Mammoth with a detachable bell front, and finally a 186Bb Mirafone. Anyway, just some drivel about the Welk band. Best to all, Ed

[prairieboy1]

On the subject of Rich Maloof, Dave Edwards,the tall reed guy with unusual glasses often featured on alto who sat in the middle of the section, I had the absolute pleasure of playing a four hour casual every night of December at the New Orleans themed hotel at the Rat.Well he, Johnny Zell(the lead trumpet), and Rich were in a National Gaurd band together when Dave joined the Welk band and when the trumpet and bass/tuba spots opened up he got Larry to listen to them and the rest was history. Dave also left first because he was getting alot of work in the studios. Rich played on some cool horns over the years. I think in this order but could be wrong, a laquered sousaphone, the aforementioned Conn 10J, a giant silver 3 top banger fixed bell horn the make of which I'm not sure about buy I'd Guess York or mabye lyon and Healy, a 3 valve front banger laquered Martin Mammoth with a detachable bell front, and finally a 186Bb Mirafone. Anyway, just some drivel about the Welk band. Best to all, Ed

Thanks for sharing this information. I used to really enjoy listening to Rich Maloof play!