SOLD: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

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Levaix
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SOLD: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by Levaix »

EDIT: Horn has been sold and picked up today! Original listing saved for posterity.

Up for sale is my unique 1918 Holton Eb. I've owned this horn since 2016 where I purchased it from the old forum. Here is what the previous seller had to say:
The horn's bell and outer branches are originally from a 1918 Holton 3 top action valve tuba. It was manufactured in Holton's Chicago factory.

From what details I have learned since owning this horn, Bob Rusk took this horn, removed its valve section, rotated the bell around, added a Holton sousaphone valve section to it with an added valve removed from another Holton sousaphone section to make a 4th valve for the horn.
Pictures here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

The tuba is approximately 33" tall with a 19" bell. The layout and overall look always remind me of a "baby 345," with plenty of convenient adjustment points from both top and bottom of many slides. Speaking of which, the valves are fast and slides move well, although it's been a while since it was last professionally cleaned.

Selling because (as you can see from my lack of recent posts) I really don't play tuba much anymore, and when I do it's almost always on BBb. I've been procrastinating selling this one for years since I know I'll never find another like it, but with a growing family it's time for it to be played by a new owner.

Asking $3000, but will entertain reasonable offers. This price includes an excellent condition Wessex gig bag, and I can also throw in an older Laskey 28F mouthpiece.

I would greatly prefer not to ship, but I'm willing to make a day trip to drive a fair distance away. I'm in the Chicago area, so if interested just let me know and we can figure that part out.

Thanks for your interest!
Last edited by Levaix on Sat Jul 19, 2025 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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catgrowlB (Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:07 pm)


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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by York-aholic »

Oh, if only Chicago and SoCal weren’t so far apart!
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by arpthark »

It’s cool that it was converted with all-Holton parts. Really nice looking instrument.
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bloke (Fri Jun 20, 2025 9:26 pm)
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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by bloke »

arpthark wrote: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:10 pm It’s cool that it was converted with all-Holton parts. Really nice looking instrument.
well...other then those made in Grand Rapids
:teeth:
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the elephant (Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:21 pm)
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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by Levaix »

EDIT: Oops! Meant to send a PM. :bugeyes:
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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by Levaix »

Giving this one small bump before it goes on FB later this week. Wanted to make sure and give first dibs here! :tuba:
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Re: 1918 Rusk-built Chicago Holton Eb

Post by Levaix »

Giving it another bump. Make me an offer, worst I can do is say no!
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