Holton TR-180 Bass Trombone, Used

Item Details

This is a Holton TR-180 bass trombone made by the LeBlanc Corporation in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, USA.  Serial number dates it to about 1972.

Standard features of the Holton TR-180 at the time included an all nickel .562" hand slide, dual stacked rotors in F and flat E, and a double action thumb trigger.  The 10" red brass bell has an unsoldered rim - the classic Holton style.

This instrument has been modified slightly by Larry Minick.  The trigger action was updated to the more modern dual crossover style and the E slide was lengthened to D.  It still has a fairly compact F-wrap for opera pit clearance.

Since the photos, this trombone has received an ultrasonic cleaning and tune-up at Brass Mavens in Whittier, CA.  It'll be a bit shinier with perfect mechanical action when you see it, and as fresh as can be for a classic trombone. 

Note to tinkerers: if you have a trombone with Minick nylon linkages like these, they can be quieted.  They need not rattle.  Unsnap a linkage and insert a small amount of cotton from a q-tip style swab.  The cotton takes up the extra space and won't migrate out like grease will.

This TR-280 is from the collection of LA trombonist George Thatcher. The TR-180 is similar to the trombone Terry Cravens played in the LA Opera for many years.  George subbed in the opera, so here's the horn.  And this is a very nice playing trombone.  It's big like a Holton but fast and easy.  Doesn't back up, makes a lot of sound.  I'd take it to a gig.  It is deemed good, and excellent example of a good Holton.  Good slide action, chrome is nearly 100%, with some small loss at the end of one stocking.

Question:  Why stacked valves?  Answer:  The pedal tones play more more open and the trombone resonates better with the longer expanding neckpipe.

Includes somewhat worn original case and George's mouthpiece. 

If you'd like to make an offer for the TR-180, please send us a note.

Biography of George Thatcher

George Thatcher, 1953-2024, trombonist, performed as a Hollywood freelance recording and symphonic musician, whose career has transverses a wide variety of styles as well as a number of continents. Since returning to Los Angeles in 1988, Thatcher has recorded for such motion picture luminaries as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Randy Newman, Thomas Newman and Danny Elfman, on such film as Jurassic Park, Anastasia, Men in Black and the Shawshank Redemption. He records for television, advertising and records, having performed with such artist as Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, and Frank Sinatra. Thatcher's orchestral associations include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Long Beach Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, the Pacific Symphony, and @the American Ballet Theater, San Francisco and Kirov ballet companies. His work abroad includes positions of principal bass trombone with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, principal bass trombone with the National Symphony Orchestra of the S.A.B.C., and principal bass trombone with the Orchestra Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas. Thatcher records for Raptoria Caam Records as a solo artist and as principal bass trombone of the Viklarbo Chamber Symphony. An active symphonic soloist, Thatcher recently performed Maria Newman's Concerto for Bass trombone and Orchestra (Peccavi) with both the Viklarbo Chamber Symphony and the Occidental-Caltech Orchestra in Los Angeles. He also appeared as soloist with the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra, the Palisades Symphony and the Chamber George Thatcher Orchestra at St. Matthew's, and has been featured at many well known music festivals nationwide. On the jazz scene, Thatcher has toured extensively with famed trumpeters Harry James and Al Hirt. While residing in Johannesburg, South Africa he recorded two original solo albums for the S.A.B.C. Thatcher's later compact discs include "Even Call Girls Get the Blues" and "Terrorist".

-Rene Laanen