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"NEW" 1967-68 Olds Ambassador



 
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Rogerrr
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 6:22 pm    Post subject: "NEW" 1967-68 Olds Ambassador Reply with quote

On an impulse I bought a 67 or 68 Olds Ambassador last week & it arrived today.

It's in decent shape and a fun experience to play since until today I've only played cornet.

(1) I don't want to spend money fixing up a $225 horn so I'm not going to get a PVA...but I can clearly see the valves aren't going down all the way. Can I just order a set of assorted felts and see what fits best? Since the felts were apparently replaced before it was sold should I just wait and see if they compress naturally over time?

(2) Although valves seem fine, there is a quirk with the 2nd valve. When you insert it in its normal alignment it goes in smoothly, but if you rotate it after inserting it the piston will bind in the cylinder.

(3) No o-rings on 3rd valve slide so it makes an annoying clacking sound..I'm gonna run by the repair shop tomorrow and hopefully get a couple o-rings
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Rogerrr
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I swap pistons around they all bind in 2nd valve position.

So it seems like the 2nd valve casing is a little out of whack and the piston wore down to fit.
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stuartissimo
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gratz on your new-old Olds Ambassador. They're nice horns with a lot of character.

(1) If you take out the 2nd valve slide, and press the valve, can you see whether the ports line up properly? If they do, then you likely won't need to replace the felts. Otherwise, your repair guy may also have some thinner felts for sale (they should be cheap) that you can try.

(2) Interesting. It doesn't need to be a problem per sé I think, though it wouldn't hurt to mention it to the repair guy. Make sure to at least keep that valve well oiled though (actually, all of them if you want them to last). Hopefully that'll keep the wear to a minimum. And don't turn the valve too much, because moving it in that position will cause a lot of wear.

(3) My Olds cornet didn't have them on the slide either, and after a while I got used to the noise. During a recent servicing the repair tech added some rubber rings, and admittedly, it's a lot less annoying .
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1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces
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Rogerrr
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks

I have peeked through all 3 slides and all valves seem slightly off by maybe a mm or more

If I press hard they line up about right
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stuartissimo
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 6:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rogerrr wrote:
Thanks

I have peeked through all 3 slides and all valves seem slightly off by maybe a mm or more

If I press hard they line up about right

Sounds like thinner felts could fix that.
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1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces
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Rogerrr
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Joined: 16 Feb 2020
Posts: 143
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well this was easy

Before I could even bring up the subject of felts
he said “take out those felts.” He then explained
there was no need to have felt under the button AND on the top of the valve

Then we checked alignment and now it’s fine

He also gave me o-rings

Noticed minor damage to the cheap Gator case but it’s trivial

Life is good
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( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )
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