Olds Ambassador customising

nick janczak · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:50 pm Post subject: Olds Ambassador customising

So I'm sure this subject has been asked before, but here goes, sorry (in advance) for repeating this question. Has anyone ever tried sticking a better bell and lead pipe on an Olds Ambassador trumpet? For someone like me who is on a budget, plays free jazz and owns a couple of these trumpets, I would be curious to hear from anyone who has done this. What kind of bell and lead pipe should I be looking at (obviously not going to be able to try it out until it's on)? Just thinking about something that works for jazz, flexible and free blowing and not too like hard work, if there is such a thing?
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Love improvisation that has its roots in jazz, even if it doesn't always sound like typical jazz.
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ChopsGone · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 1793

The most frequently-used non-Olds replacement leadpipes are the Pilczuk (just get an R45X for an Ambassador) and Bach. One Ambassador I bought already completed has a 5-1/8" Conn bell (just plain brass) and an earlier model Pilczuk pipe. Very professionally done in all respects, it's a very fine player. But unless you just want to change the bell, most of the customized Ambassadors I've run across have stuck with the stock bell. The leadpipe change is probably the most bang for the buck.
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Dale Proctor · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:20 pm Post subject:

A popular Ambassador mod is to replace the leadpipe with a Bach 43 leadpipe and leave the bell alone. That seems to open up the trumpet sufficiently for most people. Removing the last bell brace gives it a more open feel, too, especially in the upper register. The durability doesn't seem to suffer without the last brace, as there are still 3 more braces going between the leadpipe and the bell, and the bell is pretty solid, too.
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supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

About 7-8 years ago.. guessing.. there were a load of threads about custom leadpipe mods on Ambassadors. the search function on TH is ... crappy but maybe a search for Olds Ambassador Pilczuk or something might get you to many threads with great suggestions and actual horns done and tested. good luck.

http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16027&highlight=olds+ambassador+piczuk

http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/search.php?mode=results
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crzytptman · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject:

I would try PVA and dialing in the gap first. I've also found putting a penny in the 3rd cap helps the high register.
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VetPsychWars · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject:

Sell the damn thing and buy a Buescher.

Seriously.

Tom
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LittleRusty · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:17 pm Post subject:

supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

royjohn · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:30 pm Post subject:

I think Crazy Nate has a good idea with doing a valve alignment, if needed, and dialing in the gap, as two first steps. After that, check with Rich Ita and see which Pilczuk pipes he'd recommend. He has a lot of experience with mod-ing these. You could also check with some of the usual suspects, such as Charlie Melk and Bill Jones to see what mods they have done to these horns. Bill often makes up his own leadpipes for mods, so who knows what he's discovered.

Slightly off topic, I got an Olds Ambassador bell and Bill Jones told me it would make a good D bell for my Berkeley Winds Eb trumpet, once I cut it down to where it will actually get up to Eb with the stock bell. I was able to kind of stick it on the horn as it is and it does seem to play well in D.
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Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
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nick janczak · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:29 am Post subject:

Thank you everyone for some great advice and lots of useful information to go on. It is appreciated. I love my Ambassador and want to keep playing it, if I can improve on it, well that is even better!
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Love improvisation that has its roots in jazz, even if it doesn't always sound like typical jazz.
Interested in using effects pedals and recording/production techniques to create soundscapes that are 3D.

jadickson · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:05 am Post subject:

Don't replace that bell.

crzytptman · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:48 am Post subject:

connicalman · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:52 am Post subject:

Olds Ambassador has a ML bore, 0.459 yes? I've found the GAP at the mouthpiece to affect these significantly. The effect of gap was, IMO, more immediate than the effect of fine-tuning the piston/valve alignment. Just the opposite of the small-bore 0.438 Conns, which seem flexible as to mouthpiece but with the smaller ports are helped hugely by PVA.

Stuffy feedback at the chops, muffled sound? Probably gap.

Uneven blow, trouble landing sweetly on each note across the scale? Probably alignment.

Clarke II, 3rd exercise will help you decide where to begin. Especially those phrases which have two or more possible fingerings.

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trumpetguy27 · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:12 am Post subject:

nick janczak · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:56 am Post subject:

I looked at your custom built Ambassador! Looks great, bet it plays really nice indeed. Can't afford it though as I have sunk myself into debt over the last year buying studio equipment for a music/video project. The price seems fair just can't go there, stop tempting me! No! Can't...
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Love improvisation that has its roots in jazz, even if it doesn't always sound like typical jazz.
Interested in using effects pedals and recording/production techniques to create soundscapes that are 3D.

trumpetguy27 · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:26 pm Post subject:

spitvalve · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:31 pm Post subject:

Jason Harrelson did some gorgeous mods to an Olds Ambassador a few years back. I don't know if he still has the picture on his website but you might find it if you look around. I think it was called the "Ebony" trumpet.
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1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
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yourbrass · Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject:

The Olds Ambassador remains one of the best student model designs ever. That's why people keep trying to modify it. Keep trying.
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ltbrown · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:10 pm Post subject: Olds

Never just put a new leadpipe on, but turned one into a D trumpet. Plays well actually. My other Olds stays in Bb and works for me.

trumpetguy27 · Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:29 pm Post subject:

Here's the ultimate Ambassador... so who needs it???

http://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=55695&s=Custom-Built-Tuning-Bell-Ambassador
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