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Best vintage trumpet for $350?


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A.N.A.Mendez
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PostPosted: Thu May 13, 2021 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Should be able to find a good Olds vintage pro horn in that price range you would, no doubt, be thrilled with....
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Andy Cooper
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PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2021 7:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Staying in that price range makes it more difficult.

You should be able to find a good 50's 80A. Everyone should have at least one.

With a trumpet style mouthpiece cup - great high register. An "M" style cup and a Warburton 4 or 5 backbore works well. Nice for small pit orchestras. Deeper cups like a Bach A sound nice. I've heard of players who use a Wick short shank but I could never do it successfully.

Of course the Conn 22B vintage (not the 22B student horn). It has a pretty distinctive sound which I like but it is not as versatile as the 80A.


You might find a Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet in that price range. OK - maybe it won't play anymore but it sure would look pretty all polished up.
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Filius
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PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2021 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy,

Thanks, good info. Regarding the Getzen, is it a good trumpet or is it just pretty?
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AndyDavids
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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2021 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just saw Mike Corrigan of BAC list an Olds Ambassador for $250. It's from 1960 and looks pretty sweet!
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Filius
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2021 12:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ended up stumbling upon a 1958 Conn 22B for $288 with shipping and tax. Based on the photos and description it seems to be in good shape. The seller specified that the compression was good. We'll see how it turns out.

Thanks again for all the advice, it was interesting and much appreciated!
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Andy Cooper
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2021 8:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Filius wrote:
I ended up stumbling upon a 1958 Conn 22B for $288 with shipping and tax. Based on the photos and description it seems to be in good shape. The seller specified that the compression was good. We'll see how it turns out.

Thanks again for all the advice, it was interesting and much appreciated!


Even though the 22B is "gap-less" you will still find that it is sensitive to mouthpiece insertion depth. So you will want to experiment some.

I found them to be enjoyable horns to play. Have fun.
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Bryant Jordan
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2021 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you can find an Olds Ambassador with the circular pinky ring for under $300, that’s probably the best you’ll get in that price range.
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Filius
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2021 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy Cooper wrote, "Even though the 22B is "gap-less" you will still find that it is sensitive to mouthpiece insertion depth. So you will want to experiment some."

I appreciate you pointing that out. I recently discovered the importance of mouthpiece depth -- not by using a modern mouthpiece in a vintage instrument, but a vintage mouthpiece in my Bach Strad. It was a Blessing 13 mouthpiece and it was about 1/8" longer than a modern Bach MP. I cut off 1/8" with a hacksaw and it made a real difference.

So yeah, I'll make sure I pay attention to that. Thanks!
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Uberopa
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PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2021 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ACB has a vintage short shank mouthpiece that works well with the Conn 22b.
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royjohn
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PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2021 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Filius,
I don't think anyone answered your query about the cost of valve jobs. Dr. Valves quotes $450 for an unshielded ports and $645 for a shielded ports valve job. I'm sure you could find some other good craftsmen who might be a little cheaper, but I think the bottom line on anything good is going to be around $350-$400. So if you are trying to stay under about $600-$700, you are going to have to get a trumpet that needs valve work pretty cheap.

Hope your search works out well and that you will post here about it.
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krax
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PostPosted: Fri May 21, 2021 12:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The best trumpets I've seen (and bought) the last year in that price range is a couple of 80's Courtois trumpets. True professional trumpets, but information is scarce so they sell for much less than their "playing worth". Those branded "Gaudet" are not professional level instruments, but anyone with model numbers 1XX, 2XX or 3XX is a great horn.
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FatSebastian
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PostPosted: Fri May 21, 2021 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Filius wrote:
Question: Are good valves and good compression pretty much synonymous? I know they don't refer to exactly the same thing, but if the valves have minimal wear then can you count on the compression being decent?

Given the expense of a valve job, if I were seriously getting into vintage horns, I would feel better about being able to test the compression of potential acquisitions. I built a variation of the compression / leak-down tester posted here, and have used it to test several older horns that have come by my way recently. The parts list is not terribly expensive, and assembly is not overwhelming if one has even a bit of mechanical aptitude. Just a thought.

I have also found, like others, that using an "vintage" valve oil (Hetman #3, Yamaha Vintage, Ultra-Pure Black Label Classic, etc.) can do quite well to restore marginal valves up to acceptable playing levels.
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scottfsmith
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PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2021 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

krax wrote:
The best trumpets I've seen (and bought) the last year in that price range is a couple of 80's Courtois trumpets. True professional trumpets, but information is scarce so they sell for much less than their "playing worth". Those branded "Gaudet" are not professional level instruments, but anyone with model numbers 1XX, 2XX or 3XX is a great horn.


This. Almost nobody is into these horns now, vintage shoppers are mainly looking at Olds, Getzen, Conn or King, so it is a buyers market for Courtois. Here is one in excellent shape that recently sold for $300:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154370288608

I have a similar model and it is quite an extraordinary horn. Serials 8000-50000 or so are the range to look for; earlier are not modern style players and later will be more $$ (but if you see a bigger serial in your price range go for it!). Also, any Leblanc horn with a serial in this range is probably also made by Courtois and can be a good deal.
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Beyond16
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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2021 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Crazy Finn wrote:
I got my Selmer Radial for $350 about a decade ago.


Speaking of Selmer Radial, there is a possible good deal on one here. Lots of plating wear, so possibly high mileage. But otherwise doesn't look too bad. It was listed for $500 first, then $400 and now $300.
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Crazy Finn
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PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2021 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Beyond16 wrote:
Crazy Finn wrote:
I got my Selmer Radial for $350 about a decade ago.


Speaking of Selmer Radial, there is a possible good deal on one here. Lots of plating wear, so possibly high mileage. But otherwise doesn't look too bad. It was listed for $500 first, then $400 and now $300.

Hmm.....

Man, do I not need another horn, let alone another of a horn I already have.

Mine is lacquer and it's fairly worn and had a bell repair. I saw a silver one for sale locally, I think, at one point, but it was above my - sure, what the hell - price.

Hmm...
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Satchel
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Beyond16
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Sclurbs
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a mint condition 1950 Olds Recording Cornet for $400. Just be patient and neurotic about checking Craigslist every 30 seconds over the course of 2 years and you can too!
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steevo
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of my favorite vintage trumpets is a Holton model 48 (that was actually made in 1948). It is a superb instrument that is very versatile. Depending on the mouthpiece you use, it can sound like whatever you want. It's very easy to play and responds well with very decent intonation. They can usually be had for around your $350 budget. It's a lot of trumpet for $350.

As for the many recommendations for a Conn 80A cornet, I have to add myself to that group. Everyone should have a good 80A!
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deleted_user_687c31b
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sclurbs wrote:
I got a mint condition 1950 Olds Recording Cornet for $400.

Hehe, that's quite a good deal. Nice one.
Sclurbs wrote:
Just be patient and neurotic about checking Craigslist every 30 seconds over the course of 2 years and you can too!

I feel sorry for the other guys that wanted one and figured 'ah well, refreshing once a minute is plenty!' .
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musicmork
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd suggest...

1. Getzen Eterna 900 or 700....or even a "nice" Capri.

2. Olds Special

3. Reynolds Emperor or MedalIst

4. Olds Ambassador with pinky ring ...Los Angeles or early Fullerton

Any of the above will handle all of your musical playing desires.

Happy hunting.
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