Olds Ambasador, Holton Collegiate, Conn Director

trumpetrmb · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 12:06 pm Post subject:

All three cornets easily found on e-bay.

I've got a 1976 Olds Ambassador and a 1961 tri-color Holton Collegiate. They both are fun to play. Sound very mellow with V-cup mouthpieces, and blend with trumpets fine with trumpet cup mouthpieces.

Which so-called student model do people out there prefer?

trombapaul2 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:05 pm Post subject:

My preference is the C cornet I found on ebay awhile back for REALLY cheap
but turns out is a wonderful player. I've used it in orchestral situations and it
blends great with the trumpets. I've used it for chamber work also with the
same positive results. Here's the kicker...it's a Conn/Olds/Holton cornet.
The fella I bought it from made it as follows:

The valve section is from a Holton;
The bell is from an old shepherds crook Conn (beautiful engraving and gold wash bell)
The rest is from a 1953 Olds Ambassador

The only downside has been the fact that the leadpipe is from the Olds so it
takes a slightly larger-than-normal-shank cornet mouthpiece. I've been able to get away
with a Reeves but it doesn't fit quite perfectly. I'm waiting patiently for a Curry 3DC to arrive from MouthpieceExpress. Curry offers pieces specifically for the older Olds
cornet.

I suppose to get back on topic, I would say the Conn Director (my first cornet)
or the Yamaha 2320 would be my first suggestions as student model horns.

Paul

plp · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:07 pm Post subject:

Ambassador, hands down. Although the Collegiate I just picked up ain't bad, once I get the case disinfected so you can stand to be in the same room with it.

As to the Directors, well, let's just say anything I've personally played made after 1970 is the reason I don't go after these on ebay, and I love Conn trumpets and cornets. The older ones from the '50s are as good as any of the Olds or Holtons of today.

trombapaul2 · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:19 am Post subject:

plp,

My Conn Director was from the early 60's (I'm old!!) and it was a very nice playing
instrument. I wish I still had it for my son to mess around on.

Paul

pfrank · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:21 am Post subject:

My first e-bay cornet, a modernish Selmer Bach 300 ($150) is STILL my gig horn revolving with my 1960 Olds Studio cornet. I like it better than the many Bach Strad cornets I've tried: they are too bright, a little cold feeling vs this "student" Bach. My 300 has excellent monel valves and working 1st and 3rd tunning slides. With a Wick 4 1/2 it's a great modern improv/jazz voice, and VERY easy to play. Other good intermediate cornets I've kept and giged with are a 1960 Holton Super Col. and an 462 bore E.K. Blessing Standard (50s) with original lacquer and an attached 3rd valve slide ring and a 1930s 485 bore satin silver Pan American Cavalier.