[nottheedge]

Hi,

I just got a basically mint condition Holton Stratodyne alto sax in on trade. It looks like a pro horn to me, though I'm not very familiar with Holtons in specific. I owned a 241 tenor a while back that was a really great player. Definitely a sleeper horn.

Can anyone tell me anything about the Stratodyne model? It's a great name!

I'm going to be selling this as well - anyone sold one of these before, or overhauled one?

 

[geauxsax]

Nottheedge--does it have a model number too? It should be 234 if I'm not mistaken. Also, are the bell keys in the more modern position (i.e. right side when playing)? There is a vintage Stratodyne advertisement I posted somewhere under "modern vintage holtons". Could you post a pic?

 

[nottheedge]

Yowza. Pictures to follow. Turns out that I am keeping this horn, because it is A-Maz-ing. And I have played a LOT of amazing altos. I cannot believe what a high-quality instrument this is - great intonation, great ergonomics, superb tone. Nicely done, Holton!

Now how many Stratodyne saxophones did they make? about 12? I've never seen one before. (Yes, the number is 234)

Thanks!

 

[soybean]

Yes, they are rarely seen. I would guess they made at least 50 or 100. It was Holton's attempt to make a sax that would take them into the modern era of pro horns. There were ads for the Stratodyne in music magazines of the day.

It looks like you posted photos here: http://www.getasax.com/product_info.php?products_id=201. The LH thumb rest and octave key mechanisms are very interesting design. Please give us some information on those.

 

[thadnoland]

I can see why you are not selling it, notheedge, if it plays anything like it looks!

Just Beautiful!

 

[geauxsax]

Yes, they are rarely seen. I would guess they made at least 50 or 100. It was Holton's attempt to make a sax that would take them into the modern era of pro horns. There were ads for the Stratodyne in music magazines of the day.

It looks like you posted photos here: http://www.getasax.com/product_info.php?products_id=201. The LH thumb rest and octave key mechanisms are very interesting design. Please give us some information on those.

Soy--those features are similar on other Holtons of the era, like the 241 tenors, 232 altos, etc.

 

[nottheedge]

I'll check in with lots of details on the mechanism when the horn is overhauled by Matt Stohrer soon. Should be a really cool one. If anybody would like more pictures of part of it let me know.

Thanks!

 

[nottheedge]

...

 

[nottheedge]

The octave key mechanism deserves a little video to show how it works. The octave thumbrest is similar to an SML gold medal in feel but it doesn't rock. It feels like they made a mold by pressing a thumb into a piece of plaster then making a piece of metal in that shape. It is molded to the shape of a thumb, which is a good idea.

 

[abadcliche]

When I overhaul it, I will make a video and post it here. It is a BEAUTIFUL horn, and plays extremely well even though the pads are in the autumn of their years. Should be a very nice horn when its done. If I find another one, I am going to do my best to acquire it!