Holton H104 "Barry Tuckwell Model" Full Double Horn

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Product Details
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A virtuoso's ideal, crystallized in design and tone. The pinnacle of Holton horn-making's golden era — the Barry Tuckwell Model.

[Overview]
Holton French Horn, Barry Tuckwell Model. Large-throat bronze detachable bell (*). Nickel silver body. Rotary string-action valves. The 4th rotor F/B♭ is fixed. Comes with two detachable mouthpipes (chamber-music type #BT1, orchestral type #BT4). Manufactured around 1992. Included: Holton square hard case (not the original; the bag for the spare mouthpipe is missing). Original retail price at the time: ¥1,260,000.
*Align the arrows marked on the body and bell flare (on the sections without threading) and turn 90 degrees clockwise to secure (see detail photos).

[Condition]
Small dents scattered on the bell flare, bell body, and 3rd rotary slide (F side) — repaired. A solder joint at the brace connecting the back of the bell and the 4th rotor bypass tubing had come loose — resoldered. Lacquer wear on the slide curves and bell interior (light lacquer touch-up done). Lacquer wear and pitting on the reinforcement plate of the chamber-music mouthpipe (#BT1). Otherwise, minor handling marks and some lacquer wear from normal use. All rotors fully disassembled and cleaned, with all rotor strings, corks, rubber, and other consumable parts replaced, and general servicing completed throughout.

[Features]
The Holton H104 is the flagship model born from a collaboration with world-renowned virtuoso Barry Tuckwell, during the era when Holton poured the most effort into French horn making. It remained in production until Tuckwell's retirement, and its design philosophy carried on into the successor model, the H105.

A nickel silver body paired with a large-throat bronze bell gives it a distinctive character. The rotary action is precise and light, with quick response. Despite its soft tonal quality, the sound retains a clear outline that doesn't get buried, giving it a strong, present character reminiscent of Tuckwell's soloistic playing style.

Rather than the bayonet-style bell connection used on the earliest examples, this instrument uses the later screw-type connection — though it still detaches quickly, simply by aligning the arrows, inserting, and turning about 90 degrees clockwise, faster than a typical screw-in design.

Another feature is the interchangeable mouthpipe system. As standard at the time of sale, it came with a chamber-music type #BT1 and an orchestral type #BT4, and both are present with this example. The #BT1 gives a compact playing feel with quick response and a soloistic character where the sound stands out even through its softness. Switching to the #BT4 opens up the airflow, giving a more symphonic, deeper resonance.

With functionality that lets you shape the horn's character to suit the repertoire and setting, and a distinctive sound reflecting the aesthetic sensibility of a master player, this is a historic full double horn that embodies both the technology of Holton's golden horn-making era and Barry Tuckwell's ideals.
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Please note that all items are for sale in our Tokyo store.
There is a chance they might be sold out. All items are shipped tracked and insured. All import duties or customs fees are the buyers responsibility - please be aware of the requirements for your country. If you have any questions please ask.