Differences between Olds models

administrator

I am interested in knowing the differences between Olds models. I know there are several. If anybody on here is an expert please advise. Here are the models I can think of off the top of my head:

Olds Ambassador
Olds Mendez
Olds Studio
Olds Super
Olds Superstar "Ultrasonic"
Olds Recording
Olds Super Recording

administrator

Specifically, if you can tell me the difference between "Recording" and "Super Recording" models. Thank you!

Kehaulani

No Mendez?

administrator

@kehaulani said in Differences between Olds models:

No Mendez?

Added

GeorgeB

@administrator

I wish I could help but I really only know about the Recording model. Doc may know. I'm sure he'll reply if he can add something positive to the thread.
George

barliman2001

@administrator Don't forget the Studio. One heck of a horn, very suitable as an allround horn (had one for many years, until I exchanged it for a Recording). Main difference? Recording is a "balanced" model, whereas the Studio has more conventional proportions but is abnormally long. The Studio needs more breath control; I was always on the watch-out. If you do that, it's almost unbeatable sound-wise. If you want a slightly more relaxed approach, the Recording is the better choice.

administrator

@barliman2001 said in Differences between Olds models:

@administrator Don't forget the Studio. One heck of a horn, very suitable as an allround horn (had one for many years, until I exchanged it for a Recording). Main difference? Recording is a "balanced" model, whereas the Studio has more conventional proportions but is abnormally long. The Studio needs more breath control; I was always on the watch-out. If you do that, it's almost unbeatable sound-wise. If you want a slightly more relaxed approach, the Recording is the better choice.

Good point. Added

J. Jericho

@administrator said in Differences between Olds models:

I am interested in knowing the differences between Olds models. I know there are several. If anybody on here is an expert please advise. Here are the models I can think of off the top of my head:

Olds Ambassador
Olds Mendez
Olds Studio
Olds Super
Olds Superstar "Ultrasonic"
Olds Recording
Olds Super Recording

Here's an updated version of a post I made about a year ago:

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 for several years now, 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. Unfortunately, some have serious intonation problems.

Recording - A legendary trumpet for many. An odd ergonomic 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.

barliman2001

@j-jericho Can only concur with your description. Could not have done better myself (probably would have done far worse!).

Dr GO

@administrator said in Differences between Olds models:

Specifically, if you can tell me the difference between "Recording" and "Super Recording" models. Thank you!

These are very different trumpets from one another. The Super Recording is light, has a lot of vibratory action that makes it brighter and more accurate for slotting over the Recording. It is much easier and kinder on endurance when playing in the high range.

The Recording is darker and heavier and plays with more resistance over the Super Recording. It is less forgiving and challenges more with slotting. Actually it is more of a slotting challenge than the Ambassador. But it is versatile, more so than the others and toggles flawlessly between a classical or jazz venue, as the performer, when learning to master this instrument can deliver a crisp classical run but to also pump out a dark, flowing ballad. For that last function, I prefer the Recording over the Super Recording.

GeorgeB

@j-jericho

You obviously know your OLDS. Thanks for that assessment.

George

GeorgeB

@dr-go

Great, Doc. All that was good to know. I had a chance to buy a Super but felt it was overpriced and chose the Recording instead. Absolutely no regrets. Somedays I have a hard time putting the Recording away for the day. I just want to keep on playing.
George