#Olds ambassador serial numbers serial number#
#Olds ambassador serial numbers pro#

#Olds ambassador serial numbers pro#

The Super was aimed at the pro player and had a silver (brass on rare occassions) tone ring around the bell, I suppose this was a gimmick and was copied from or by the Reynolds Contempora and the Getzen Super Deluxe. As a matter of choice I prefer the red brass leadpipe to the yellow brass or nickel. These are really very nice playing trumpets that are still played by pro players. It has a rose brass bell that gives it a dark sound but can be brighter with the lacquer stripped, and in my opinion does not benefit from being silver plated (i would say that with all olds). This is a one off horn in style and playing. The valve block is closer to the bell end, middle valve offset and it shares the same 3rd trigger mechanism as the Mendez. I play a Large Bore Claud Gordon Benge (0.470' bore) but these have an Heavy feel. They are fantastic players for those that like very large bore horns. These were introduced in 1960 and were targeting symphonic player because they had large bores of 0.468'. A well set up Mendez horn can't be beaten! The bracing on a mendez is different to all other olds which I believe makes it more efficient, I may be wrong but they certainly produce a massive sound. Invariably they all say that the Mendez has the edge. I have had pro players around my house just to try a selection of vintage olds.

I have played well over 20 of these ranging from a 52 model to a 76. When the Custom was first offered for sale the buyer had the option of a choice of leadpipes or bells, hence the name 'custom'. Ultrasonic was engraved on the leadpipe/receiver of the trumpets that had the ultrasonic bell design. The term 'Ultrasonic' I believe referred to the bell design, and whilst my experience of the Ultrasonic Custom and Super is very positive I know two owners who found the Ultrasonic Mendez not to their liking. These are very underrated and I have heard several people describe them as a sleeping giant waiting to be found. I have only played 3 of these but have found that they are at least equal to the Mendez model. It was marketed as being above the Recording and Mendez trumpets and rumours were that Mendez himself actually preferred a Custom trumpet.

The Custom trumpet was endorsed by Bobby Shew and was a lightweight model. The Custom trumpet was made in the 70s, when it was reported that Olds quality had declined. There has only been one Olds 40s horn (a super recording) that I have played that could be usable alongside modern horns in a section. I would say that 2 out of the best 10 olds trumpets I have played have been from the 70s.

#Olds ambassador serial numbers serial number#

With olds trumpets, it is my opinion that each horn is an individual and should be judged so not dismissed just because it is a student horn, a 70s horn similarly it should not be revered because it is a Recording trumpet, a 4 digit serial number horn or an LA trumpet! All Olds fans have probably read that Olds quality declined in the 70s. I have had great playing 1970s Fullerton Ambassadors and bad playing 1950s LA Recordings. I really am not concerned how a horn looks today, only how it plays.

I know trumpet players and collectors that get very excited over LA horns which were produced pre 1953. I am sure this guide will alter over time, and I would welcome your comments on olds trumpets or this guide by contacting me through ebay. It is merely my observations based on owning and playing over 350 vintage Olds trumpets. There are many great players who know the quality and performance of Olds trumpets better than me, so please do not view this guide as definitive or authoritative. Tell us what you think - opens in new window or tab