Olds Ambassador cornet (:>)

DCB1 · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:42 am Post subject: Olds Ambassador cornet (:>)

I just bought a 1951 Olds Ambassador cornet and was looking for a little info. It has the original coffin case and music lyre and Olds 3 mouthpiece.

I just got through cleaning it very good... valves look like new... a few minor dings... a little corrosion around the spit valve (anything I can do to get rid of it?).. but all else is great. When I took the valves out I saw that they are not numbered (1,2,3) so it took me a while to get them back in there right place. Did I miss something to figure out what number they are? I polished and the slides and they look like new... put Zaja slide lube on them, oiled the valves with Zaja blue and put it all back together.

WOW... it is great!!!

I may have found a new hobby.... cornets.

Thanks for allowing me to share my fun with you all.......
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plp · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:17 am Post subject:

As far as the spit valve corrosion, take a little piece of the finest grit emory cloth you can find, and lightly buff down to remove the corrosion. Then just paint over it with some clear fingernail polish. I guess you are talking about the small area directly under the spit valve, where it will not be so noticeable. I did this to my old 80-A about 25 years ago, and unless you turn the cornet over, you can't see it.

DCB1 · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:39 am Post subject:

I was playing it and emptied the spit and the spit valve nipple came off. I quickly took it to my local repair guy and he will have it back to me tomorrow.

He is also going to put new corks in the spit valves and take the 1 dent out.... can't wait!

ps... It is an amazing player....
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Uberopa · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I have one of similar vintage. I enjoyed the pix of those AlaskaPro Brass horns so much that I sent it to Borodi's for restoration. Great job - looks like new and plays so wonderfully. The.468 bore is easy to fill and it is delightful to play. I use a Curry 3DC with an Olds shank from Mouthpiece Express to fit the non-standard larger receiver. Like "buddahhh"!
I hope you enjoy yours as much.

Brian
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DCB1 · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:06 pm Post subject:

tom turner · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:

Hi David,

Terry Warburton also makes Olds cornet shanks!

Tom

DCB1 · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

tom turner · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:54 pm Post subject:

Hi,

With Warburton it is always better to call 'em. They should be able to answer your question.

Yes, I still have my Sparx 3. I tried all three of the initial Sparx models and bought the one that sounded best. However, its the size of a Bach 3 and I eventually fell in love with the Warburton 8BC on my cornet (that Roy Lawler brought up for me from Terry at your Jacksonville Horn Fest) . . . so the got played on only a single gig or two . . . then put it back in its little GR tube. It serves as a paperweight to the right of my computer screen as I type this response . . . and hasn't been played for many a month!

I DID get an inquiry from someone wanting to buy it on the 15th of this month. However, he didn't have the money yet and he PM'ed me on the 17th saying" "I'll get back to you on that, next month I hope." I've learned not to hold my breath on things like this, without a firm commitment so . . .

Since I'm getting ready to purchase a couple of Warburton tops from you this very today anyway, if you want to try the Sparx I'll send it to you tomorrow instead of the money!

1. Heck, if you like it, we can call it even if you'd like, for I was going to sell it for about that much anyway! BUT . . .

2. If you don't like it, just let me know and send it back in time for the other guy to get his money together . . . and I'll shoot you a check as planned anyway!

Just let me know if you'd like to do this or not!

Warmest regards,

Tom

DCB1 · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:00 pm Post subject:

PM'ed ya.
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DCB1 · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:45 am Post subject:

Well I got it back home......I still love it!
I have a new receiver on the way so I can use normal cornet mouthpieces.

I think I am hooked!!
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John 14:6
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Bach
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FatPauly · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:23 am Post subject:

I have a mid-50s vintage Ambassador cornet. One of the early Fullertons, I believe. Plays great, but looked like a 50-year-old student horn. I swapped the bell out with a Yamaha shepherds crook model and had the whole thing plated in silver w/ gold accents. Looks and plays great.

If you have a couple of bills to burn, pick up another Ambassador cornet and get a tech to put a Yamaha SC bell on it. I think you will really be pleased with the result.
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DCB1 · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

Can we see a pic?

More to think about!

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tom turner · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:48 am Post subject:

Hi,

Rich Ita does that very modification!

Lots of old Ambassadors, like other horns targeted for the student market, got their bells smashed by their young owners or their friends in accidents. However, the basic Ambassador would still be salvageable. The Yamaha shepherds crook bell has worked out well.

Heck . . . I wonder what would happen with the fast, radical flared Wild Thing shepherd's crook bell on one! Hmm . . . what would one call THAT combination? Maybe an Old(s) Short Little Wild Thang!

Tom

DCB1 · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:14 am Post subject:

buzzer · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 112

I also have a 1951 Ambassador cornet. Restored by Kanstul - fantastic job and plays great. Using a GR MP. A "V" cup really makes it sound mellow when needed. Did not realize it was a .468 bore however - thanks for that info!

tom turner · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

FatPauly · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject:

I was afraid you would ask for one! Check out the cornet in the very bottom lefthand corner of this collage. Maybe there is enough there to tantalize you!

When some nicer weather rolls around, I will take better pix of all my horns and post them.

Albert Richard · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:32 am Post subject: Ambassador Maintenance

I, too, an an 50s Ambassador fan. I think of all the so-called student model horns, the 1950s Ambassador stands out as a very versatile and great sounding horn. Because there are so many available (on Ebay) for ver reasonable prices (brass under $100, silver under $200) it is possible to buy "parts" horns.
I do much of the minor work on my own horns and it was not difficult to learn some of the skills. Some of the basic necessities unclude: a buffing station (one motor with two buffing wheels for about $150); a work bench with good light and a horn-clamping arrangement; A soldering iron and/or small torch with some silver solder.; a lot of patience.
I've taken one Ambassador down to raw brass and it looks great. With a little practice you can learn how to solder a new water key in place. Finding vintage parts can be a task but the internet helps a lot. Musical instrument supply companies are disinclined to work with amatuer needs.
I have my own electroplating studio set up and can replate leaky valves with nickel and then "lap" them to fit the valve casings. This saves me a chunk of change.
I encourage collectors to learn some of the basic skills required to make simple restorative improvements on their horns. It's a rewarding experience.
Albert
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DCB1 · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject:

Well I just got my Ambassador back from having a new receiver installed. Now I can use any common cornet mouthpiece on it and not some custom piece.

It sure does play well! I have a Sparx and it sounds real nice, and I have a Warburton BC on the way.... fun times ahead.
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DCB <><
John 14:6
Member since 2001
Curry
Bach
Selmer Radial
Kanstul
Holton
Amati
Conn

shastastan · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject:

Hi, DCB. This is interesting. I bought a Sparx 4B and don't like it. It's a little big for me. A week ago I bought an olds3 on ebay. It is sort of beat up but plays okay. I also play an olds3 on my trumpet and it's off at Mouthpiece Express getting refurbished. Don't know if I'll get the cornet olds3 refurbished.