Olds trumpet

Marching_Trojan · New Member Joined: 05 Sep 2023 Posts: 6

I've gone through a few trumpets, recently I got a jupiter ctr-1065. My main trumpet up until now has been an olds Ambassador. it has the jazziest sound of any trumpet I've played, I'd like to re lacquer/restore the Olds but would that effect the sound?

Marching_Trojan · New Member Joined: 05 Sep 2023 Posts: 6

also, I'd like to know the overall opinion on the ambassador.

chapahi · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 1:26 pm Post subject:

stuartissimo · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: Olds trumpet

TrumpetMD · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2023 4:30 am Post subject:

I purchased a 1957 Olds Ambassador about 10 years ago. The horn was in good condition. I had the horn restored by Kanstul (back when they were still operating), with the work including minor dent work, prep work, and re-lacquer. All of this was done for personal reasons, not economic. The horn cost me $80, and the restoration was $380. So I put about $460 in a trumpet, which after restoration, was probably worth about $300 at that time.

There are varying opinions on this. But a restoration is unlikely to change the way the horn plays in any appreciable way. I've restored 4 of my horns, my 1974 Bach 43*, 1965 Bach 37, 1980 Bach MLC, and the Ambassador. No problems and no regrets.

And to answer your other question, the Ambassador is a good horn with a lot of fans. Some of the praise is well-deserved. But some of the reasons are due to nostalgia. It's a good horn. But there are definitely better ones out there.

Mike
_________________
Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns.

cheiden · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:32 am Post subject:

A bad shop could ruin any horn. With a good shop I wouldn't worry.

And in all generality the Ambassador is a very sturdy horn. And it might be harder to break than some.

I'd probably advise against putting too much $ into the horn. As much as you like it I'd be surprised if you don't find something even better that would be a better investment.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 3605

Back in the 80s I saw one of the big name bands in Jackson, MS (I think it was Lionel Hampton's band if I remember right) and the lead trumpet player had a sizzling sound on his Olds Ambassador! He told me he just loved the way it played for him.

Also, in 1988 I saw a fantastic Mariachi group performing in the Ciudad Juarez central market in Mexico. The top trumpeter, a monster player, was playing an Olds Ambassador held together with Popsicle sticks and tape. (Do you suppose he was afraid the horn might lose its sound if restored? Haha!) I was with the El Paso musicians union president that day and he told me never to venture into Juarez with my Conn trumpet. He was not kidding when he said, "They will kill you for it." (The trumpet was locked in my car trunk back at the union office.)

Play your Ambassador and enjoy it!
_________________
C. G. Conn 60B Super Connstellation
Getzen 800S Eterna cornet
Standard Bach 5C mpcs.
Jens Lindemann is right!