Frank Holton Revelation Alto Saxophone – Serviced & Playing – Unusual Trill Keywork
A very interesting Frank Holton Revelation alto saxophone, made in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, USA.
This is one of Holton's wonderfully individual early American saxophones, featuring some unusual keywork rarely encountered on more conventional instruments of the period — including dedicated C-to-D and alternate G# trill keys.
The saxophone is in generally attractive condition for its age and has now been carefully stripped, cleaned, serviced and regulated.
Most importantly, it is currently playing well throughout the full range, including the low register, as demonstrated in the accompanying playing video.
Service work
The instrument has received a substantial service, including:
The existing pads are a mixture of older pads together with replacement work carried out where necessary. This has not received a complete repad.
The instrument is currently sealing sufficiently to play very nicely throughout its range, and the video demonstrates its present playing condition.
Important note – lower key stack
There is one mechanical issue which I want to describe very clearly.
The rod running through the lower main key stack is seized in place.
During the service I spent approximately five days repeatedly applying penetrating oil and carefully using heat in an attempt to free it, but it would not move without risking damage to the instrument.
The lower-stack keys themselves are currently functioning correctly and have been regulated with the rod in place, so this does not currently prevent the saxophone from playing.
However, if future servicing requires those keys to be completely removed — for example as part of a comprehensive repad — the affected posts will most likely need to be unsoldered, the seized rod removed and freed, and the posts subsequently resoldered and aligned by an experienced repairer.
I have deliberately not undertaken that work because the additional labour involved, combined with a complete repad, would make the restoration uneconomical at the price level of the instrument.
I want to make this completely clear now so that the next owner knows exactly what they are buying.
Pads
The saxophone retains a number of older pads and is not being advertised as freshly repadded.
Pads were checked during the service and individual pads attended to where required. In its present setup the saxophone plays well and speaks throughout the range.
At some stage in the future a new owner may choose to carry out a complete repad, at which point the seized lower-stack rod described above would need to be addressed.
For the moment, however, this is a playing saxophone rather than a restoration project.
Octave-key repair
There is also a visible previous solder repair to the octave-key mechanism, shown clearly in the photographs.
It is functioning correctly, but the repair is cosmetically visible and is mentioned for completeness.
Unusual Holton keywork
One of the things that makes the Revelation particularly interesting is Holton's rather adventurous approach to saxophone keywork.
This example has additional C-to-D and G# trill mechanisms, features not normally found on most contemporary Conn, Buescher, Martin or King altos.
They are original Holton design features and make the instrument particularly interesting from a mechanical point of view.
Condition
Cosmetically the saxophone presents very nicely for its age.
The lacquer has an attractive deep vintage appearance with the expected scratches, marks, lacquer wear and areas of discolouration accumulated over many decades.
The bell engraving remains attractive and the instrument has considerably more visual appeal than many unrestored Holtons that survive today.
Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
I have concentrated on getting the saxophone clean, regulated and enjoyable to play, rather than trying to disguise its age or previous repairs.
Playing character
This is a genuinely enjoyable old American alto with plenty of character.
Following the service it responds well throughout the register and plays easily from top to bottom.
As with any saxophone of this age, the ergonomics are quite different from a modern Yamaha or Selmer, but that is very much part of its appeal.
A playing video is included so that you can hear the actual instrument being offered in its current condition.
Case
The saxophone comes with the Champion gig bag shown in the photographs.
No mouthpiece, stand, harness or other accessories are included unless specifically stated.
About my saxophones
I restore vintage saxophones in my spare time because I enjoy preserving unusual and interesting instruments and bringing them back into playable condition.
My focus is primarily on getting them mechanically sound, properly regulated and enjoyable to play, rather than attempting to make old instruments look artificially new.
Each saxophone is carefully checked, regulated and play-tested before being listed, and I provide detailed photographs and a playing demonstration wherever possible.
This is an unusual opportunity to own a playable Frank Holton Revelation, complete with its distinctive additional trill keywork and plenty of early-American saxophone character.
The seized lower-stack rod and older pads are fully disclosed above and should be taken into consideration by any future owner.
Collection, inspection and play-testing are very welcome and encouraged.
Leak-tested and played in before listing.