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[mr.deacon]

I have a question for all the Holton dudes out there and the title says it all what is the difference between the two slides? I noticed open close inspection of my horn that the slide on my TR180 is actually a TR183 and I was just curious if there was a noticeable difference between the blow of the TR180 and TR183 slides.

Thanks!

[Burgerbob]

My 180 slide says the same thing, whatever that means.

[blast]

The very early 183 slides were pretty much the same as a 180 slide.... the leadpipe was supposed to be different.
Most 183 slides are longer than all other Holton bass slides... and have a different leadpipe. If you have a longer version this may cause problems with tuning.
I have a very early 183 slide and it works fine with 180, 181, 185 & 169 bells (tenons do vary with Holtons though)

Chris Stearn

[gbedinger]

My 185 had a slide marked as a 180.

[blast]

My 185 had a slide marked as a 180.

Just checked a 185 slide and it is marked 180... never seen one marked 185... I think they were all marked 180 during that period... or 183 if they were the long slide. Quite a few with no mark at all, just a build number. Holton.... don't look for logic. On a similar point, you will never find a Rath R8 slide... all bass slides are marked R9.

Chris Stearn

[lingon]

...or 183 if they were the long slide...

Chris, do you happen to know approx between which years the 183 slide was long? I ask because my 183 has a standard 180 slide, and all other 183s I have seen have also had the standard lenght. However, and this I think is a great bonus with the 183, the low C is perfectly in tune even with the F-slide in normal position, with a 180 slide. It is the only single valver I have been able to play the low C in tune without moving the F-slide. So the 183 seems to be a good design, it plays nice too.

[blast]

Chris, do you happen to know approx between which years the 183 slide was long? I ask because my 183 has a standard 180 slide, and all other 183s I have seen have also had the standard lenght. However, and this I think is a great bonus with the 183, the low C is perfectly in tune even with the F-slide in normal position, with a 180 slide. It is the only single valver I have been able to play the low C in tune without moving the F-slide. So the 183 seems to be a good design, it plays nice too.

I have no dates for the long slides. From what I have put together, when the 183 was announced, Holton started off stamping what was essentially 185 models as 183 models. I have an early one that has a 9 1/2" bell and 185 valve wrap and normal slide. Most 183 models have a 9" bell, valve wrap with longer slide to pull to 'B' and a shorter bell section with longer slide (not by much, but it is longer). At the time the 183 was announced, I expect they would have had quite a stock of 185 parts, as everybody wanted the double valve 180 at that time... but that is pure guesswork.

Chris Stearn

[lingon]

...From what I have put together, when the 183 was announced, Holton started off stamping what was essentially 185 models as 183 models...

Thanks Chris, very interesting information. Now I have to start looking for an old large belled 183 too... All of the 183s I have seen has the 9 in bell and newer wrap with the long F-slide, that all attachment trombones should really have... Works perfect for B.

[pscelent]

Does anyone know what a fair price would be for a 1974 Holton TR 180 in poor to fair condition? I need this information as soon as possible, can anyone please help?

[pscelent]

Where was the "TR 180" or TR 183 stamped on the slide? In what year was the trombone manufactured (you can tell this from the serial number)?  The only place I have ever seen a TR 180 model stamp on that trombone was on the slide receiver.

[blast]

Okay, here are some pics of where the numbers are.....

[blast]

....and to explain the above...
The first shot is a 169 slide... it has it's own serial number (different from the actual trombone number) and 169 stamped.
The shot of the slide outer grip shows 180-4 stamped... very rare to see this... and this slide was from a 185 !!
Most slides simply have a single or double number... a build number, but nothing more.
Last another 169 slide, shows 169 and serial number.
Clear as mud eh ?

Chris Stearn

[gbedinger]

My 185 had the slide marked as in your second photo on the outer slide grip.  If I recall it was stamped 180-4 as well.