Early 60s Olds Super

bmc129ny · New Member Joined: 03 Nov 2021 Posts: 4

I received an early 1960s Olds Super I bought off the marketplace today. I played it at my bands rehearsal and thought I’d share my early initial impressions. For reference my main horn is currently an LA Benge 2x. The horn plays amazingly. The sound seems to have a very dense thick core much like the description I’ve seen calling it a “fire hose”. The blow is more restrictive than my Benge but by no means tight. My Benge blows very freely and slots very loosely. In the other hand the slotting and response on the Olds is so solid. The tone is warmer than the Benge but again my Benge is a bait in the extreme end. Playing it on my Bobby Shew Jazz it has the ability to sit warmly in the staff but can light up like a firecracker if needed. So far I’m loving it and it plays so quickly and is so responsive. I’ll likely provide an update in the coming days/week. I’d love to hear other thoughts on their experiences with supers. Thanks
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1937 Conn 22b (stolen ☹️)
LA Benge 2X
1960s Olds Super

bach_again · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 4:11 am Post subject:

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Manuel de los Campos · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Early 60s Olds Super

Uberopa · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 2:53 pm Post subject:

I bought a 1956 Super. It's still at the tech. It fits somewhere between my 1978 Benge 3X+ and MY 1941 NY Bach Strad Not as free blowing as my Benge or as flexible but slots more like the Strad. Beautiful sound that is quite full like the Bach.
It's a wonderful trumpet with a classic bright vintage sound.

stuartissimo · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:42 pm Post subject:

Congratz on your new horn. The Olds Super is still on my 'wouldn't mind trying one someday'-list. Pity they're so rare here (and getting expensive too unfortunately).
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1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces

LadFree · Regular Member Joined: 30 Jun 2022 Posts: 57 Location: NY

Love my mid 60`s Super; Always played Bach`s my whole career,which consisted of big bands, Broadway shows,some Orchestral and pops work,some Salsa big bands..Now at 70 years old and still at it, my go to horn is the Super,which I find as very responsive, a sound I really like for the commercial playing I still do, great valves,and a nice feeling of resistance in the bell,which has a late taper;This matches well with the large diameter mouthpiece I play.
I will say my Bachs might have a slightly more full spectrum sound,but for the ease of playing provided by the Super, I can live with that slight difference, especially in a very over amplified commercial setting,which I find myself in often;
The best advice I can give everyone is STAY YOUNG!! lol

stevericks · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 2:59 am Post subject:

I’ve played a Super since the 1960s. Love the horn. Nice thick focused horn, but different from a Bach Strad which has more overtones. Super is excellent in intonation and slotting.
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Steve
Olds, Kanstul, Bach

mike ansberry · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 9:36 am Post subject:

Check the valve alignment. That might open up the blow some.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

stevericks · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 9:59 am Post subject:

In high school with a very high quality jazz band (played Merv Griffin show, Tonight show etc), we were told we had to buy a pro horn to be in the band. The other 4 guys had strads. My trumpet teacher (former big band trumpet player) steered me to the Olds Super, saying no to the Bach. Still have the horn and occasionally play it to this day on gigs. Fabulous intonation. I remember a couple of the other trumpet players tried to tell me the Super wasn’t a pro horn because it didn't have a first valve slide saddle. I asked my trumpet (pro player) teacher. He told me to tell them the Bach Strad was the poorer horn because it needed a first valve slide saddle to play in tune- the Olds was so good it didn’t need one. Ha. It really is a nice horn. I have the original one, plus a gold plated one. Also have a Special, Studio, Recording, and Super Star.
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Steve
Olds, Kanstul, Bach

stevericks · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 10:01 am Post subject:

In high school with a very high quality jazz band (played Merv Griffin show, Tonight show etc), we were told we had to buy a pro horn to be in the band. The other 4 guys had strads. My trumpet teacher (former big band trumpet player) steered me to the Olds Super, saying no to the Bach. Still have the horn and occasionally play it to this day on gigs. Fabulous intonation. I remember a couple of the other trumpet players tried to tell me the Super wasn’t a pro horn because it didn't have a first valve slide saddle. I asked my trumpet (pro player) teacher. He told me to tell them the Bach Strad was the poorer horn because it needed a first valve slide saddle to play in tune- the Olds was so good it didn’t need one. Ha. It really is a nice horn. I have the original one, plus a gold plated one. Also have a Special, Studio, Recording, and Super Star.
_________________
Steve
Olds, Kanstul, Bach