New F.E. Olds instruments - Any good?

Angultra

I'm considering a new horn purchase, and I know the Olds series many years ago (Ambassador-Special-Super-Studio-Recording) had a very good reputation. I also know that they changed hands but the new instruments are still being made under the Olds label. Does anyone know if the "new line" of Olds instruments are any good?

The website is below. Notice that they no longer use labels like "Ambassador" for their trumpets and cornets, only various model numbers. If anyone has played any of these instruments, please share your experiences.

http://www.feolds.com/mainPages/products.htm

bgwbold · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject:

My understanding is that the only thing the new horns have in common with the old ones is the name. No tooling, no common employees, etc. The new owners must have acquired the name and the new horns do not have much of a following, as far as I know. I don't know who actually manufactures them now. They have apparently been built by several different manufacturers during their recent history.

Maybe someone else has owned one, but I have not even seen one, except for sale on eBay.

Mike

VM Trumpet · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:33 pm Post subject:

My school ordered five "new" F.E. Olds (not sure what model) for rental purposes.

For the horn aeshetically: They came with a trigger for the first valve slide (nice... not for me, but nice feature). The valves a pretty darn good, but every once in a while there can be a mysterious case of sporadic stickage. Even with liberal oiling. It isn't a common occurence, but maybe something you might want to factor into your position. The third valve slide moves well once the grease is worked in real well. The silver becomes very "muddy" and loses its original luster and is very hard to get it back. Those, ahemm, "pearl inlays"... Yeah I think every horn has lost atleast one within the first year, some two. It looks and feels really bad if they aren't found and re-glued.

As for the playing: I'm not going to comment very much because I haven't played much on it (I don't rent one). For me, it is a compact (maybe "tight" is a word that fits?) blow, but it does get a pretty sweet sound out of it. The usual intonation tendencies are there (sharp D, C#, flat D,E-flat, E...).

It is classified as an intermediate model and rightly so...

-VM Trumpet
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tom turner · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject:

Hi,

The great lines of Olds and Reynolds were purchased by Norlin in 1964, where the models were streamlined and eventually pretty much merged, except in name and trim. By about 1980 the two great companies were no more, and Norlin shut 'em down FOREVER.

In the '90s another firm (P.J. LaPlaca) acquired rights to use the Olds "name." The new line of "Olds" horns were then produced for LaPlaca by the Schenkelars-Brekoo factory in Holland. Hmmmmm . . .

Today I hear the "Olds" trumpets are made under contract with Blessing, and have nothing in common with the old ones . . . except they are stamped "Olds."

The original Olds instruments of the 1930s through the mid-1960s were truly great horns that stood toe-to-toe with the finest horns made. The Olds Recording, Super Recording . . . and the Reynolds Contempora and Argenta trumpets were truly fine horns.

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

mheffernen5 · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 3626

I would strongly recommend a King Silver Flair 2055T or 2055S over any current Olds product. I teach band and am impressed with the quality and sound of the Silver Flair. In fact, I even bought one for my own son.
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Skaket03 · New Member Joined: 20 Nov 2003 Posts: 9

I agree with the previous respondent on this thread who said that the new Olds are probably correctly labeled as "intermediate" level. I am not as knowledgeable or skilled as most readers here because I am only a comeback player after 22 years out of high school band. Last December 2003 I decided to start up on trumpet again and went looking for a new trumpet in the $500 (US dollar) price range. Back in the old days I owned a Martin Magna. So I wanted a first valve trigger and the lever-type water keys. Therefore I looked around online and saw the Olds NL10MS at WWBW.COM. It is also seems available at a good price at www.interstatemusic.com. So I bought the trumpet and have been taking weekly private lessons with a very experienced pro player and teacher. He tried my horn out several times over the past year and he said it slots well, is good enough for me now, but he thinks the horn is a bit heavy in regard to weight. That is, compared to his Schilke. However, when he does occassionally play mine, he sure can make it sound good, loud, and even scream if he wants it too. Overall, I am happy with my horn right now, the price was good for me, and the other reason is that I didn't want a "pre-owned" horn because I was always grossed-out and felt discomfort about using a horn that some other guy had spit into for many years. Probably a stupid thought, but I just wanted something new, reasonably priced, and had the features that I wanted. Anyway, I recommend the Olds NL10MS to you. -Skaket03