Which Ax Handle for a Holton?

mrdeacon · Post by **mrdeacon** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:24 pm

Hi guys!

Does anyone know what the bell brace tube diameter is for a Holton bass? Seems like a Bach size... but are the Holton tubes a little larger? The .383 Conn size clamp I received was definitely the wrong size.

Thanks!

Splendour · Post by **Splendour** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:58 am

I sold my TR181 a few years ago so I'm afraid I don't know the exact size. I used a Rath hand support which suited my large hands the best.

Post by **Bonearzt** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:11 am

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:24 pm Hi guys!

Does anyone know what the bell brace tube diameter is for a Holton bass? Seems like a Bach size... but are the Holton tubes a little larger? The .383 Conn size clamp I received was definitely the wrong size.
Thanks!

Just measured my front brace at 0.445"

Eric

mrdeacon · Post by **mrdeacon** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 12:54 pm

Bonearzt wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:11 am
mrdeacon wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:24 pm Hi guys!

Does anyone know what the bell brace tube diameter is for a Holton bass? Seems like a Bach size... but are the Holton tubes a little larger? The .383 Conn size clamp I received was definitely the wrong size.
Thanks!
Just measured my front brace at 0.445"

Eric

You're amazing Eric! I'm assuming this measurement was taken off of a TR181? I think the .437 clamp should work then.... hopefully...

If you end up being bored today... could you measure a Bach 42 or Bach 50 and like a Shires or Yamaha (whatever you've got lying around in the shop) that would be amazing! I realize these measurements are already on the Instrument Innovations website but I just want to see how they compare to your measurements.

These measurements are near impossible to take when all you have for a measuring device is a tailoring tape haha.

Post by **Bonearzt** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:05 pm

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 12:54 pm
Bonearzt wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:11 am just measured my front brace at 0.445"
Eric
You're amazing Eric! I'm assuming this measurement was taken off of a TR181? I think the .437 clamp should work then.... hopefully...

If you end up being bored today... could you measure a Bach 42 or Bach 50 and like a Shires or Yamaha (whatever you've got lying around in the shop) that would be amazing! I realize these measurements are already on the Instrument Innovations website but I just want to see how they compare to your measurements.

These measurements are near impossible to take when all you have for a measuring device is a tailoring tape haha.

HA!!!!! Not amazing when I mess with this stuff all day...yes that's from my 181 and yes the 0.437 should work.

Bach and Shires braces are around 0.417" +/- 0.002", Not sure about Yamaha, but I'll bet Mike or Kim at Instrument Innovations would know.

You can get a decent caliper relatively cheap at Harbor Freight. Come in pretty handy!!

Eric

mrdeacon · Post by **mrdeacon** » Mon May 04, 2020 3:57 pm

For anyone curious. I got two more clamps in today! .420 and .437. Fun fact. Neither fit!

What's very interesting is the .437 was a perfect fit on my tuning slide but my bell brace seems to be supersized. It's just a hair larger than .437. The bottom half of the clamp more or less fits but the top clamp is a touch too small. Like .01 or .02 too small. I think the size is somewhere in between their .437 and .469 clamps.

I'm going to take it to my tech later this week and see if he can modify the clamp to fit. If he can't I'll talk to Mike and Kim and see if I can get something custom made! I think part of my issue is the fact I've got a 169. With Holton's legendary consistency, especially back in the Pre LeBlanc days... only God knows what size this part is actually supposed to be.

Their service has been incredible so far and I see no reason for that to change!

I'll continue to update the thread with my findings...

mrdeacon · Post by **mrdeacon** » Tue May 05, 2020 12:33 pm

Saw my tech today! They were able to hand fit the clamp to the brace.

It was some weird tweener size.

So for anyone out there that stumbles on this thread. A .437 clamp should work on a Holton. If it doesn't it's a size in between .437 and .469 and you'll have to have a tech modify a .437 clamp to fit.

I'm happy!

Thrawn22 · Post by **Thrawn22** » Mon May 11, 2020 11:20 am

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Tue May 05, 2020 12:33 pm Saw my tech today! They were able to hand fit the clamp to the brace.

It was some weird tweener size.

So for anyone out there that stumbles on this thread. A .437 clamp should work on a Holton. If it doesn't it's a size in between .437 and .469 and you'll have to have a tech modify a .437 clamp to fit.

I'm happy!

Or dont buy Holtons?

spencercarran · Post by **spencercarran** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:14 pm

Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 11:20 am Or dont buy Holtons?

They play so nice though. It's got mechanical/ergonomic issues and doesn't have all the modern conveniences, but I still like the sound on my Holton 180 better than any newer bass I've tried

Which Ax Handle for a Holton?

Which Ax Handle for a Holton?

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Re: Which Ax Handle for a Holton?

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