Holton FARKAS H179 Professional F/Bb Horn | Instrument Reviews

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Hey all! Thanks for watching. Since the speaking portion of this video was recorded a while ago (as evidenced by the pre-beard look), I want to make a couple corrective notes. - I've played two different H179 horns since filming this video, BOTH of which are even better than the one in this video. Each, I would say, comes extremely close to rivaling my 8D. - I described the H179 as a 'brighter' sounding horn with some clarity issues in the lower register. This is my Conn 8D experience/background speaking. There is little else in the horn world besides the 8D that sounds darker or has a better lower register than a good Holton. My comment should have been phrased with this caveat: "the H179 is a brighter sounding horn *COMPARED TO OTHER ALL-NICKEL KRUSPE WRAPS WITH LARGE BELL THROATS."* Hope you enjoy this video nonetheless!

[@susansmithson8729]

Thanks for your review of the H179! I have played this horn since 1992 when I first began playing until now and have always been satisfied. I hear many comments about the Conn 8D being the only horn to play, but as a smaller person, I found that horn too big for me. I enjoy your reviews and look forward to them.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Susan, I’m glad that despite having played an H179 yourself for so long, you found value in my review! Those snide comments about the 8D being the “one true horn” are (a) bogus, and (b) slowly becoming less true as the modern yellow-brass, smaller-bell Geyer wraps take over American symphony orchestras. It’s a very sad switch in my opinion, but the glory days of the 8D are long past, and anyone still harping on about it is generally a misguided old geezer. I certainly think, by the way, that the Holton has the superior wrap ergonomically and from the standpoint of allowing Bb-only tuning, although I am concerned that the tighter wrap is one reason why the H179 gives me a harder time in the low register than the 8D.

[@cooperjorde149]

I will be forever in awe of how deep your voice is.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

You flatter me, Cooper. Always working on that radio persona :)

[@michgian2024]

Helpful review! Thanks!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Glad I could help! This is a wonderful horn and there's good reason it's quite possibly the #1 best-selling professional double horn on the market.

[@alesssos]

To this day, some may never know why that slide was so far out

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Paranormal activity inside my horn case 0_0

[@MrGibsonguy335]

I played 50 years on 2 H-179's and more recently on a historic H-77 , which is the original Farkas Model. Finally I brought home a Paxman 20 MYDC which is a whole other world of horn playing. I loved the Holtons but after playing with the Meriweather system there could be no going back.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

That H-77 sounds awesome! I can understand not wanting to go back to a Holton after getting a Paxman, though.

[@RobertCardwell]

Pre-scruffy Sam! Thank you for this review and for the Beethoven 7 homage. You know how I love the trumpet part in that piece.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I didn't know it was possible to find enjoyment, as a trumpet player, in slow torture by unending high A's :)

[@Moliere1000]

Thanks. I play a 179 with an 18” (wide & deep) mouthpiece (paxman halstead chidell). Great combination.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I like the 18mm diameter too. I don’t use my Denis Wick 4N as often as I used to (my current gig is principal horn of a wind ensemble that plays a lot of strenuous contemporary works) so instead I’ve transitioned mostly to a Giardinelli custom with a 19mm diameter but a shallow V cup. It seems to be the best option for getting the high notes with the correct teutonic tone after a two-hour rehearsal with swollen lips.

[@Moliere1000]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass Congratulations on that position. Mine is exactly 18.17mm wide (the S (standard) rim for PHC). I’m about to transition to the M (middle), which is 18.37mm. For me, once you play on a wider rim you can’t really go back to the narrower and be happy with the sound. But it takes a lot more resilience, especially playing in band against all winds!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@Moliere1000 Precisely. Even the (supposedly) 17.5mm (I suspect actually closer to 17.0) of the Giardinelli C1 just feels far too cramped for my chops now… It is true, though-I have to manage my endurance well in exchange for having all that chop room for when my lips swell.

[@nyancs7098]

Pretty instrument :)

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

And it makes a pretty sound!

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

Great video Samuel!😁👍👏👏

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks Peter!

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

You're so welcome!

[@robbicu]

You Connboi you!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

8D and 88H all day! :)