@barliman2001 I love Olds and I know many others do love them, Red Nichols played an Olds Super I believe for much of his career.
I read some time ago that Uan Rasey who I respect immensely was offered a Recording by the factory but refused it and asked for an LA Ambassador, but he was refused that possibly because it was the lowest priced instrument in the range, he eventually ended up with a compromise instrument they made up especially for him.
I believe the issue was that he didnt like the offset valve block on the Recording preferring a normal straight valve block and I suspect he simply found no issues with the quality of the Ambassador valve block.
I seem to recall it being stated that they built a Recording with an Ambassador valve block just for him. I cant swear to that but I like the story.
It has been claimed that the original Ambassador and the Mendez were on a par but the Mendez had more expensive parts plus triggers, they were both built around the same time under Foster Reynolds.
The LA Ambassador is a player.
It has been said that the philosophy at Olds was no compromises were allowed and all instruments were to be built to the same high standards.
Certainly that appears true of the LA period instruments.