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Considering picking up a 74 Olds Ambassador to tinker with



 
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markag
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Joined: 27 Dec 2021
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Location: Illinois

PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:46 am    Post subject: Considering picking up a 74 Olds Ambassador to tinker with Reply with quote

A local guy near me has a 1974 Olds Ambassador trumpet listed for $75. I'm considering picking it up to tinker around with.

I'm interested in getting a practice horn that I can use for learning how to solder, swap out parts for, do some custom work on, etc. I figure this might not be a bad horn to start with and won't be much out of pocket to learn on.

I've heard statement about Olds being a one tolerance shop, meaning that the valve block on this horn, in theory, should be up to the same quality as their top line horns of the time.

I currently play on a Bach LR43, so I'm not in need of a horn. I'm looking for a platform that I can learn on and maybe make changes to be something fun to play for different scenarios.

Any thoughts, suggestions, common things that people like to do with these horns?
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stuartissimo
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IIRC some people replace the leadpipe and say it really improves the playability. Not sure what kind of leadpipe they used though, but you can probably find posts in the TH archive.
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kehaulani
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why don't you buy it and find out?
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homebilly
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i think that it is a great idea!
$75 is maybe on my high side but a perfect price
for that horn if it is in good condition

if it comes with a case even better

practice on it so you can work on mine

my brother may have buffed that one as he worked at the plant in those days buffing horns

good luck and keep us posted
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ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
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LaTrompeta
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You really can't go wrong with anything made by Olds. $75 is a great price so long as it's in one piece.
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bach_again
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a late era Olds - $75 is ok if the horn is built and playing well. From this era it may not meet either standard - defo try before you buy, unless they sell it for $50 or less

I had a 70s Ambassador tpt once - was a good pub-gig horn, but nothing special. I've played early Ambassadors which were nicer for sure. Still... ain't a Super

Some interesting reading:

http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm

https://www.robbstewart.com/olds-instruments
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markag
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Based on the pictures in the listing, it doesn't look like it's in bad shape from the outside. The seller says the slides move, and the valves are smooth. We shall see what it's like when I get a chance to check it out. It looks to have the original case and comes with two mouthpieces (don't know what they are).

Here is the main picture.


This started because I was searching local listing for used trumpets that at a minimum could be a valve block donor that I could build into something custom down the road. So if anything, this would could be a practice horn to learn soldering and some basic brass instrument repair / build techniques on if it doesn't play well.

I did some searching and found out that some people put Bach 43 or other lead pipes on these to improve the playing characteristic. That might be a fun project to take on. Especially since my daily driver Bach LR43 is starting to get some internal lead pipe red rot after 25 years. If I could learn to swap lead pipes myself, I could take on that work when the time comes.
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TheHighNotes
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 5:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Considering picking up a 74 Olds Ambassador to tinker wi Reply with quote

markag wrote:
A local guy near me has a 1974 Olds Ambassador trumpet listed for $75. I'm considering picking it up to tinker around with.

Any thoughts, suggestions, common things that people like to do with these horns?


Clean it up and sell it for $300............
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homebilly
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 6:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

offer him $50 and see what he says

my beater is one just like that one
in the 771k range if i remember right

it also has the stopper ring on the third valve slide throw
with a nib on the bottom of the ring to stop the slide

a great horn to dismantle and learn from for sure

mine doesn't play badly at all just not like my other way earlier
Fullertons or LAs

i paid $40 for that one with the same case as yours
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ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
waiting for Fed-Ex to deliver a $50 trumpet to my door. shipping was prepaid by seller of course!
http://ronmeza.com
http://highdefinitionbigband.com
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markag
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Joined: 27 Dec 2021
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Location: Illinois

PostPosted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

homebilly wrote:
offer him $50 and see what he says

my beater is one just like that one
in the 771k range if i remember right

it also has the stopper ring on the third valve slide throw
with a nib on the bottom of the ring to stop the slide

a great horn to dismantle and learn from for sure

mine doesn't play badly at all just not like my other way earlier
Fullertons or LAs

i paid $40 for that one with the same case as yours


This one is even newer (890K serial number range).

I'm tied up with off-site work training over the next few weeks. I told him if he still has it when I'm back, I would like to check it out. I was already thinking of offering $50 and see what he says. Even if it is a clunker, it would be good to practice soldering on.

I would like to learn how to swap a lead pipe because my Bach 43 is going to need a new leadpipe in the near future. It would be nice to be able to do it myself.
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homebilly
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

that sounds like a plan

good luck. you'll have fun getting your soldering chops together

keep us posted
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ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
waiting for Fed-Ex to deliver a $50 trumpet to my door. shipping was prepaid by seller of course!
http://ronmeza.com
http://highdefinitionbigband.com
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