"Experience the depth of the American French horn with yellow brass."
The Holton Philip Farkas Model—rich in tone and blending naturally with the ensemble.
[Overview]
Holton F/B♭ Full Double French Horn
Model: H280 / Philip Farkas Model
Bell: Large Throat
Bell Specifications: Screw-on Bell (Detachable)
Bell, Body, and Mouthpipe Material: Yellow Brass
Receiver/Outer Tube: Nickel Silver
Rotary Action: String
4th Rotary: Fixed F/B♭ (Open F)
Finish: Lacquer
Year of Manufacture: Mid-1980s
Accessories: Hard case
*Features an attached patch / Shows some wear on the corners
New Price: 1,155,000 yen
[Condition]
Small, shallow dents scattered across the bell flare and bell body > Repaired. Discoloration of the lacquer finish on the sliding tubes and parts of the bell body. Fine, streak-like marks from buffing powder are visible beneath the lacquer finish on the bell inner. Additionally, there are scattered scratches and impact marks. The interior of the tubes has been cleaned; all rotaries have been disassembled and cleaned; each tube has been serviced and adjusted; and the soft parts have been replaced.
[Features]
The Philip Farkas Model is a long-standing bestseller representing the renowned American brand Holton. Created in 1958 under the supervision of Philip Farkas—a virtuoso who helped define the golden age of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—it has long been cherished as a staple of the American horn. The rich resonance and dynamic range produced by the wide-open, large-throat bell are the defining charms of this series.
While the Farkas Model is often strongly associated with nickel-silver finishes, this H280 model features yellow brass—the most standard material for horns—in its bell, body, and mouthpipe. It offers a bright, natural attack and a sound that blends flexibly with the ensemble, maintaining the sense of scale unique to a large-throat horn without the tone becoming overly distinctive.It blends easily with horns from other manufacturers, making it well-suited for a wide range of ensembles, from wind bands to orchestras.
The playing feel possesses the generous character typical of classic American horns; when played with full breath support, a rich, expansive sound fills the space. Conversely, when played softly, it reveals a warm and subdued character, offering an exceptionally wide range of expression. The quiet and smooth action provided by the string-operated rotaries is another hallmark of Holton that has been passed down through the years.
This instrument allows you to experience the appeal of the Focus model—with its brightness, richness, and expansiveness—in a more traditional and easy-to-play yellow brass finish. It satisfies the longing for the classic American sound while offering the versatility to be used in real-world performances without being confined to specific ensembles or timbres. It’s an instrument that embodies the distinct Holton character while blending naturally with its surroundings.
