Dating my Olds Ambassador

da_roadrunner · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 7:45 pm Post subject:

I just got a vintage Olds Ambassador from Ebay today. It isn't much to look at, but plays very very nice. I don't know the date of it. The serial number is 866,XXX and the bell says "Olds Ambassador Fullerton Calf."

Also:
how would I find out the bore size and there isn't much laquer left... would stripping it off be a good idea?

jhatpro · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:12 pm Post subject:

That serial number indicates your horn was made in the early '70s. It probably has a .460 bore, but you could tell for sure by taking the second valve slide to a local machine shop and ask them to measure the inside diameter for you.

As for stripping it, this is purely a matter of preference. Some people like the raw brass look and, in addition, feel that the horn resonates better. I've stripped several horns (using Cold Stripper from http://www.ferreestools.com) and like the results.

I've also had an Ambassador relacquered and that turned out very well, too, although it was quite a bit more expensive: about $25 to strip it and $275 for the relacquering.
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Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

MaynardProdigy · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:41 pm Post subject:

http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm
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Silver/Gold Bach Stad 43
81' MF ST-302
51' Olds Super (LA)
631 Yamaha Flugel
***Working on***
Yamaha Xeno
Martin Committee

bgwbold · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 3:19 am Post subject:

Olds lacquer is persistent, but it will eventually all come off. There are some good threads here about how to remove it. Twenty years ago, a good lacquer job might have cost only $125, but now it hardly makes sense to relacquer a 100 dollar horn at the rate of $275 to $325, so I have learned to love the look of raw brass.

I believe most of the Olds trumpets were .460 except for the Opera model which was larger. You can get a set of calipers to measure bore for 35 to 70 dollars with digital calipers being the more expensive variety.

Mike

pair of kings · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 3:57 am Post subject:

Hey Roadrunner - do you think that after dating this OA that you may eventually marry?

he he he
(well I cracked myself up anyway)

valvepimp · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 3:49 pm Post subject:

Priscilla, we all know that when you marry an Ambassador the diplomatic immunity they carry might render the marriage null.
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