Olds Special or alternative advice
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So I grew up playing an Olds Special TriColor (serial 445000 range so around 1963 from what I can research). Long story but its no longer available to me and I am trying to find something to get to get back into playing as it has been way too long. I loved the Special though I don't have any experience with other models so I initially figured I would look for an Olds Special around the same age/era again unless there is a better timeframe to consider for quality reasons. But figured before I post a WTB or start actively searching again it would be worth starting a discussion with people who are more knowledgeable than I am.
I'd prefer something in a condition that is reasonably good so I don't have to refurb it much if at all. If refurb is needed I would hope to find the right skilled folk to assist with the process. I'm in Las Vegas and unaware of any great shops here at least so far to look at. For sentimental reasons I would prefer sticking with an Olds. I don't want to buy a starter horn to get back into playing as I would just be replacing it at some point anyway with a nicer horn so I would rather just see about finding what I want initially and be done with it.
I appreciate any assistance in helping figure out what to look for at this point and possibly even recommendations on where to look and/or following this discussion up with a WTB post in the Classifieds section.
Thanks!
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Why not a Recording?
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The tricolor Olds Special was and is an underrated horn. If playing one suits you (remember that one man's steak is another man's tripe, and vice versa), you need look no further. It will do what you ask of it, albeit with a slightly brighter timbre than is generally fashionable now, easily adjusted by using a deeper mouthpiece.
Here are my estimations (not pontifications) of Olds trumpets:
Ambassador - Some are competent; many more are crappy.
Pinto - An odd, ultimately unsuccessful experiment in unconventional design.
Special - Underrated; slightly bright sound. Because of its price bracket and pre-tritone marketing when new, it was presumed to be one step up from a basic trumpet. In reality this was a mighty big step.
Studio - A magic trumpet for some, it produces a unique lyrical sound. If your sound is bright, it will project brightness; if your sound is dark, it will project darkness. As with the Special, players have been discovering its virtues within the past few years, driving prices up. The later nickel-silver plated Studio is acknowledged to have been change for the sake of change. Not considered an improvement. Quite the opposite, although some players are happy with theirs.
Super - Most owners will not sell theirs for any amount of money, period. A good, generic sound. A horn with no vices.
Recording - A legendary trumpet for many. An odd setup that works well for some players. Flexible and versatile; there are few other trumpets that play better, but they do exist.
Opera - If you can play a cavernous mouthpiece, you will overcome its bright timbre and produce an awesome, gorgeous, incomparable sound.
Mendez - Speaking of bright-sounding trumpets, the Mendez also has a unique timbre, putting it in the same category as the Olds Studio, Olds Opera, and Conn Connstellation in the sense that these four horns have a sound specific to each model; they do not necessarily sound like one another. FWIW - the Mendez and the Connstellation were both manufactured in long cornet versions, too, which have the appearance of their trumpet counterparts and have a distinct, cornet sound.
Super Recording - The Holy Grail for aficionados with a willingness to spend the money it takes to acquire one. YMMV.
Olds deliberately designed each instrument they manufactured for eye appeal, and there is eye candy to be found in their entire lineup. The subtle benefit of this is that you want to take it out of the case often, which leads to more practice, which leads, hopefully, to more competence.
Also, when Sonic is used in conjunction with an Olds model, it refers to the method of bell production, not any specific sound or playing characteristic, although it could be argued that marketing at the time was designed to mislead potential buyers into thinking that it did.
'62 Olds Studio Trumpet
'67 Olds Special Trumpet
2013 Dillon Pocket Trumpet
'83 Yamaha YFH-731 Flugelhorn
1919 York Perfec-Tone Cornet
'50 Olds Studio Trombone
Shofar"If it was just up to me, I'd only have trumpet players on my show." - Jackie Gleason
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You really know your OLDS trumpets.
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I've just traded in my Olds Studio for a Recording. When I got the Studio about four years ago, it was a true closet queen, still in the original cellophane wrapping... I liked it very much, being an unusually responsive horn; but when I happened upon a 1954 Recording, that one blew me away. The Studio now is with VOTRUBA in Vienna, to be seen here: https://www.votruba-musik.at/musikinstrumente/gebrauchte-instrumente/trompeten-fluegelhoerner
99.5% original lacquer, all valves like new, no dings or dents. Original case, original Olds #3 mouthpiece, original paperwork including factory check card. -
@newell-post said in Olds Special or alternative advice:
Why not a Recording?
No experience yet with them and honestly thats why I made this post, to discuss if an alternative is an option or desirable over another Special.
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I just remembered Kessler & Sons https://www.kesslerandsons.com . They had an association with Tony Scodwell for a while; I don't know if they still do; I don't get out to Las Vegas as often as I used to.
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@j-jericho said in Olds Special or alternative advice:
The tricolor Olds Special was and is an underrated horn. If playing one suits you (remember that one man's steak is another man's tripe, and vice versa), you need look no further. It will do what you ask of it, albeit with a slightly brighter timbre than is generally fashionable now, easily adjusted by using a deeper mouthpiece.
Here are my estimations (not pontifications) of Olds trumpets:
Ambassador - Some are competent; many more are crappy.
Pinto - An odd, ultimately unsuccessful experiment in unconventional design.
Special - Underrated; slightly bright sound. Because of its price bracket and pre-tritone marketing when new, it was presumed to be one step up from a basic trumpet. In reality this was a mighty big step.
Studio - A magic trumpet for some, it produces a unique lyrical sound. If your sound is bright, it will project brightness; if your sound is dark, it will project darkness. As with the Special, players have been discovering its virtues within the past few years, driving prices up. The later nickel-silver plated Studio is acknowledged to have been change for the sake of change. Not considered an improvement. Quite the opposite, although some players are happy with theirs.
Super - Most owners will not sell theirs for any amount of money, period. A good, generic sound. A horn with no vices.
Recording - A legendary trumpet for many. An odd setup that works well for some players. Flexible and versatile; there are few other trumpets that play better, but they do exist.
Opera - If you can play a cavernous mouthpiece, you will overcome its bright timbre and produce an awesome, gorgeous, incomparable sound.
Mendez - Speaking of bright-sounding trumpets, the Mendez also has a unique timbre, putting it in the same category as the Olds Studio, Olds Opera, and Conn Connstellation in the sense that these four horns have a sound specific to each model; they do not necessarily sound like one another. FWIW - the Mendez and the Connstellation were both manufactured in long cornet versions, too, which have the appearance of their trumpet counterparts and have a distinct, cornet sound.
Super Recording - The Holy Grail for aficionados with a willingness to spend the money it takes to acquire one. YMMV.
Olds deliberately designed each instrument they manufactured for eye appeal, and there is eye candy to be found in their entire lineup. The subtle benefit of this is that you want to take it out of the case often, which leads to more practice, which leads, hopefully, to more competence.
Also, when Sonic is used in conjunction with an Olds model, it refers to the method of bell production, not any specific sound or playing characteristic, although it could be argued that marketing at the time was designed to mislead potential buyers into thinking that it did.
That's a lot of info and exactly why I posted here! From your amazing list - I would think a Special, Studio, Super, Recording or even Super Recording could be options, all depending on what I can find and how much money I would like to throw at it? Are there any specific year or serial number ranges I should consider as preferred when searching?
I loved the sound of the Special and have heard good things regarding the "higher" end models, just no hands on experience. Dillon Music in NJ (I had been referred to at one point) has 5 models available right now including a Special, Ultrasonic, Opera, Recording and French in various conditions last I checked though most are heavily worn based on descriptions.
TBH my experience nowadays is lacking anyway as I have to relearn music as well though I tended to play by ear most of the time. Either way, have to go back to square one but I am sure I will pick it back up quickly and that's why I don't want to buy a starter horn and want to just learn back into the real thing like I did originally with the Special.
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@j-jericho said in Olds Special or alternative advice:
I just remembered Kessler & Sons https://www.kesslerandsons.com . They had an association with Tony Scodwell for a while; I don't know if they still do; I don't get out to Las Vegas as often as I used to.
Been here for 11 years and never knew they were here! I know I had heard of them at some point but don't recall ever actually checking them out. Thanks!
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@smokey7722 Olds made durable instruments, and those in good condition are still available. Just look for good valves and few dents, and you'll be OK. Expect to pay a minimum of $450 to redo the valves; more is probably more realistic these days.
1972 was the beginning of the end for the company. Seven years later, they were history. Read about it here: http://rouses.net/trumpet/OlsonOldsHistory.html . Quality, which had been outstanding, gradually deteriorated during this time period, and instruments made then relied upon design to sustain the brand. Good horns were still possible, but so were not-so-good ones.
If you're not familiar with Olds Central http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm , you now have a wealth of information at your disposal.
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Centex Brass has a number of Olds models for sale, I have bought several horns from Clay and have not been disapointed.
Regards, Stuart.
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@smokey7722 Austin Custom Brass has a number of good used Olds for sale. Good people to deal with!
