[Figaro]

Hi there.

I recently started playing an alto saxophone I bought on Ebay. It's an 80s Bundy II. It's bit rough but playable and I'm really enjoying playing. Getting better every day.

I also have a 1935 Holton Ideal 405 trumpet in near perfect condition with original case. I thought a Holton alto sax from the same period might be nice to pair with the trumpet so I started looking on Ebay.
I found this 1925 Holton alto sax and picked it up for $75 plus $52 shipping. It's on it's way to me as I write this post.
I plan on doing a full restoration on this instrument but of course I'll see how it plays when it arrives.

It has a serial #23258. After a lot of research here I'm thinking that this is a Revelation alto. It has the "extra keys" that I've read about. Any thoughts or feedback on my assumption is appreciated.

Here's the Ebay pics.

 

[bruce bailey]

I am by no means a Holton expert but I think the Revelation was a 30s horn with left side bell keys.

 

[PigSquealer]

I am by no means a Holton expert but I think the Revelation was a 30s horn with left side bell keys.

Bruce I'm no expert either, but pre-mid 30s? The Rudy Wiedoeft (1/1928-12/1930)was left Side bell key. The Revelation line I'm not sure if all were split bell. Post Rudy, the New Revelation(1/1931) good luck figuring that one out. I have a 1931 post Rudy split Bell complete with that funky Lo C . The body tube has the "R" stamped by the serial number. Somewhere in the Holton sea of information I think they went right hand bell mid 30s. Maybe As the "New Revelation". So in that regard you're correct. Although this is a 1925 serial number.

 

[Hassles]

based upon my very limited knowledge about Holton's Revelation - I would suspect your horn predates these.

https://www.saxophone.org/museum/saxophones/specimen/1269

 

[PigSquealer]

I found this 1925 Holton alto sax and picked it up for $75 plus $52 shipping. It's on it's way to me as I write this post.
I plan on doing a full restoration on this instrument but of course I'll see how it plays when it arrives.

It has a serial #23258. After a lot of research here I'm thinking that this is a Revelation alto. It has the "extra keys" that I've read about. Any thoughts or feedback on my assumption is appreciated.

Looks like a reasonable project. From one of your other post you are mechanically inclined(automotive). No shop manuals available on any of this stuff. All Craftsmanship and finesse. Take lots of pictures and be prepared for an experience unlike anything automotive. You're going to have a blast.
A few things that are going to need immediate attention viewed in the pictures. The octave lever should be straight. They get bent like that without a end plug while in the case. The D key cup has ding, expect a big leak. Pictures from different posts look like All pinky tables and right hand palm key may need attention. Be careful, study those well. Holton's have good silver plating. Be gentle. The Protec pro-pac XL case will not fit.
Learn how to search on Sotw. Just about everything you will ever need is somewhere

 

[Figaro]

Looks like a reasonable project. From one of your other post you are mechanically inclined(automotive). No shop manuals available on any of this stuff. All Craftsmanship and finesse. Take lots of pictures and be prepared for an experience unlike anything automotive. You're going to have a blast.
A few things that are going to need immediate attention viewed in the pictures. The octave lever should be straight. They get bent like that without a end plug while in the case. The D key cup has ding, expect a big leak. Pictures from different posts look like All pinky tables and right hand palm key may need attention. Be careful, study those well. Holton's have good silver plating. Be gentle. The Protec pro-pac XL case will not fit.
Learn how to search on Sotw. Just about everything you will ever need is somewhere

Thank you for the feedback. I used the advance search function and already found so much info on Holtons here. I'll bet I spent at least two hours searching and reading. All good stuff! This forum is a plethora of knowledge.

I'll be posting videos on this project on my YouTube channel. I tinker with all kinds of stuff so I have a good supply of tools and plan on buying whatever else I need to do this job right. Looking forward to sharing the journey here on the forum.

 

[Figaro]

The Holton arrived this morning. I took COVID-19 precautions and unboxed it wearing rubber gloves then wiped down the case well with medical grade Lysol/water solution. I removed the instrument from the case and liberally sprayed all down, inside and out, with 99% isopropyl alcohol then let it set for a few minutes until evaporated. Also sprayed down the inside of the case.

The case looks original and is in pretty bad shape but restorable.
The saxophone is in what I would call good condition considering that it's 95 years old. It has a few minor dents but nothing that can't be easily corrected.

As mentioned by PigSquealer the octave lever got bent

The dent in the D key doesn't seem to be distorting the pad. A leak light will tell me more

The only broken spring I found is on the E key left side pad. Please correct me if I'm calling that out wrong. I'm still learning the key names. :mrgreen:

I have an old 1920s York alto at home that was given to me. It's pretty beat up with lots of very crude solder repairs and it's missing a few posts so it's a good candidate for parts salvage of a spring.
Getting the broken one out should be fun. I have a very small spring loaded center punch that may help with that. Suggestions??

As soon as I replace that spring, straighten the octave lever and do a leak light check I'll stick a mouthpiece on it and see how she blows.

 

[Figaro]

First look after unpacking

 

[PigSquealer]

The case looks original and is in pretty bad shape but restorable.

The saxophone is in what I would call good condition considering that it's 95 years old. It has a few minor dents but nothing that can't be easily corrected.

The only broken spring I found is on the E key left side pad. Please correct me if I'm calling that out wrong. I'm still learning the key names.
I have an old 1920s York alto.
good candidate for parts salvage of a spring.

Getting the broken one out should be fun. I have a very small spring loaded center punch that may help with that. Suggestions??

As soon as I replace that spring, straighten the octave lever and do a leak light check I'll stick a mouthpiece on it and see how she blows.

Restoring that case will take a month or more and $75+ in materials. Gentle repairs to loose corners can be done. Use white glue and blow into joint with air hose.

Overall condition looks average. Good project if you take you time.

Shove a leak light in and call it a day.

Don't bother fixing octave lever yet.
Rig a rubber band inplace of that broke spring and give it a blow if you must. Just don't leave it on the silver after.

Personally I would get a tech to deal with just one spring. A) you're going to knock it off body B)trash everything when you get challenged by a stupid looking task. That spring will laugh at that punch.
here is the tool https://musicmedic.com/products/repair-tools/pliers/spring-pliers.html

Study repair guides here https://musicmedic.com/articles.html

Learn the terms and you will find the information for the task.
If you're not sure on anything. Post the question on a thread that seems fitting. Someone will help you.
All Repair Q & A threads are here https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?12-Tech-Science-Discussion

Good luck

 

[Figaro]

Good tips! Thanks.

 

[bruce bailey]

It appears that the broken spring is on he alt-Eb (rear Eb) that is often corked shut.

 

[Figaro]

It appears that the broken spring is on he alt-Eb (rear Eb) that is often corked shut.

Well, it has a new/used spring, and it seals.

Discovered some separated tone hole stacks last night. Successfully soldered them up today. Documented the whole repair on video to be edited and posted to my channel in a day or so.
I managed to get all the light leaks to go away so it's playable and I really like it
It does need pads but it plays OK for now. I do better in the upper register than down low. It has a raw dry tone that I really like. There's probably a few leaks that show up while playing that mean I have to blow harder but I feel like this horn makes me open my throat more. Love it!

 

[Guto]

Here is a promotional ad from the launch of the Revelation:
https://mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1926-82-14-SECTION-2/02/

If you search for Holton Saxophone in these archives you will see history as it happened. Very entertaining.

 

[Figaro]

Here is a promotional ad from the launch of the Revelation:
https://mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1926-82-14-SECTION-2/02/

If you search for Holton Saxophone in these archives you will see history as it happened. Very entertaining.

Thanks for that! Perhaps this is indeed a Revelation model.