Store it or play it?

djm6701 · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:18 pm Post subject:

I have the chance to purchase an UNPLAYED (!) Los Angeles-era Olds Recording through an acquaintance at what I think is a fair price.

The question is, I'm looking for a horn to play on. Given this horn is in totally mint condition, I am a dufus in thinking of buying it to play, or should this horn be kept as a museum piece and I should pass on it so a collector could pick it up?

Opinions? Suggestions?
_________________
Dave M.
Richmond Hill (Toronto) Ontario
Kanstul WB1600, 1952 L.A. Olds Recording, 1975 L.A. Benge 3x, 1960's Olds Flugel, Yamaha 631 Flugel

GR 65.6 Mouthpieces
a jazz.fm member

radiobob · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:29 pm Post subject:

Well, I've thought about this too and I say play it. Horns were meant to be played, and it'll last you a lifetime.

Bob

Hokie_Pokie · Regular Member Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 39

Play it, because that's what its meant to do, but you might wanna get a backup horn for those rough gigs.

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

If you can buy that horn and NOT play it, you have more self discipline than I do!

bulos · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:51 pm Post subject:

Is the bell red-brass (Re-0-loy) or more yellow?
_________________
Marquis de Sade: "In art, one has to kill one's father."

djm6701 · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:55 pm Post subject:

Good question - I will ask that one - the horn's on the other side of the continent at the moment.

The horn dates from just prior to the move to Fullerton.
_________________
Dave M.
Richmond Hill (Toronto) Ontario
1956 Olds Recording, 1959 Olds Studio, 1952 Olds Super, 1960 Olds Mendez, 1968 Olds Ambassador, 1975 L.A. Benge 3x, 1986 Bach Strad 37, Yamaha Mike Vax,Yamaha 631 Flugel

GR 65.6 Mouthpiece

[ This Message was edited by: djm6701 on 2004-04-23 18:56 ]

_Happy Canuck · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:26 pm Post subject:

Dave, I really think you should pass on this, it truely is too good to be true!!

And then after I buy it, come over to see it at my place!

Go for it, decide later if you should play it or not. DO NOT pass on it!!!

You know how I feel about Recordings!! And I know how you feel about them!

Lucky Bugger!!!
_________________
Bill

Olds Mendez, Recording, Super, Special & Ambassador trumpets/GR Butcher 65.6M
Olds Opera, Ambassador Shepherds Crook cornets/Sparx 4B
Olds L-12 Flug/GR Butcher 65.6FL
Schilke MII trumpet/GR Butcher 65.6M

Nails · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

I was in a similar situation. I purchased a "NIB" Bach 37 made in 1971 off of Ebay. I was sceptical until it arrived, it was better than new! It still had the buffer wheel polish around the rim of the bell! It is my primary horn now, complete with worn off silver plate, dents, the whol nine yards. Best horn I have ever played.

Nathan

ARB · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

Put a leather valve guard on it to protect it, then play it.
_________________
Allen - 'Chops-in-Hotlanta'

00 Schilke S22
77 LA Benge 5X
63 Burbank Benge C

"It's what we think we know that keeps us from knowing"

musicmork · Heavyweight Member Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 1530

Here's what I think....
If you wanna sit and stare at the horn then perhaps take several photos of it and make an album.But Trumpets were made to be played ..and by playing them they develop "character"
The dings, dents, creases, lacquer or plating wear, pitting, crustiness....it ALL shows that the horn LIVED.

I would take that bad boy and play it until the wheels fall off.

ENJOY LIFE.....it'll be over before we know it !!!

_________________
Mark
Trumpets:
'92 Bach Strad (Elkhart)
'56 Olds Special (Fullerton)
'54 Olds Ambassador (Early Fullerton)
Keys/Pianos:Kurzweil PC-88,Yamaha S80,Korg 01Wfd,Hallet & Davis acoustic

[ This Message was edited by: musicmork on 2004-04-23 21:06 ]

BeboppinFool · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 6:27 am Post subject:

I understand the difficulty of this decision. Finding a horn such as that in time-capsule condition is a dream, of course, but I might think "Who am I to alter its unplayed condition?"

Wow. It really ought to be in a museum . . . but I'd sure love to play that sucker!

Good luck with your decision. How much is the guy asking?

Rich

P.S. A few years ago I bought a previously unplayed Olds Custom from a guy in Tampa, and I sure do regret letting that one go!
_________________
Puttin’ On The Ritz

djm6701 · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 6:46 am Post subject:

He's asking $900.

trumpetmike · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 7:31 am Post subject:

Buy it.
Play it.
Enjoy it.
Let us be jealous!!

OR

Don't buy it.
Let me know his details.
Let me buy it.
Let me enjoy it.

camel lips · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 687

IF it were my horn and I got it at a fair and reasonable price I would do the following.

I would first review what offers and bids you could get for a mint horn of that vintage.If the bids or estimates GROSSLY exceed the amount of a new horn I would probably go ahead and resell it to a collector and go out and buy myself the finest horn money could buy.

I am not aware of many "trumpet collectors" out there that just buy horns for presentation purposes, but I feel certain that they are few and far between.

More than likely the difference in a vintage horn in NIB vs excellent condition is probably going to negligible unless you find the right collector willing to pay a inflated price for it.

So my advice is buy it, and play it like you stole it.

Still Trying · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 10:30 am Post subject:

I've got a brand new in the box / one of a kind / never to be duplicated again Eclipse due to arrive in the next few weeks. I could just put it in a show case and look at it-saving it for posterity so to speak. The posterity is my kids, who already want to know, who I'm going to will the horn to, when I pass on to my eternal rest. And I have a vintage Olds Recording that's still a thrill to play. I could play it instead of the Eclipse. But I'm not going to save the Eclipse for someone else to enjoy. I'm tearing into the wrapper on that baby as soon as it hits the front door and I intend to immediately play it until my lip gets too numb to feel the mouthpiece. Then I'm taking it to bed with me so it won't feel lonely. I surely intend to pass it on to posterity in as near mint condition as I can keep it, but it sure ain't going in any unplayed condition. Horns were built to be played. Pictures were made to look at. The Olds folks built the horn you're considering to be played also. Therein lies its real beauty. It will last you the rest of your life. Mine has already lasted since 1959.
_________________
S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?

plp · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 3:53 am Post subject:

The Eclipse is an existing production instrument and while every one is unique, you can call Leigh and have another one produced if this one were destroyed. The Olds is no longer produced, and if the condition is as described, has a value as a collector item above it's value as a player. BUT, if it is worth it to you, play it!

A few years back, I sold a presentation John Wayne Commerative set of .45 Colts and Winchester Model 73 with the saddle lever, all encased in a rosewood display case with the cherry tabs still in place. The winning bidder, who paid in the 5 figures for it, upon receiving it IMMEDIATLY ripped open the case, and asked me where the nearest range was!!! After picking myself off the floor, I gave him a box of .45 LC, driving directions to the range, and asked if I could go with him. After all, if you own it, it is yours to do with as you please.

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

Play it. You won't regret it!!

I bought Mel Broiles Benge Bflat, play it all the time and just love it!

Congrats.

tom turner · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 10:48 am Post subject:

Hi,

I want to offer a slight twist to the wise words of others.

Yes, there ARE a few well-heeled collectors and museums out there that are always searching for "time capsule" pieces. Because these instruments are sooooo rare to encounter, I'd suggest doing this before you decide to keep it and play it:

1. Offer it for sale on e-bay with a huge reserve (say . . . $5,000). For that collector who is waiting for that exact horn, if this person exists, he/she will be more than willing to have a bidding war with other collectors who bid on only perfect items!

2a. If it sells, take the $ 8,000 or whatever that the horn would bring and use a small portion of that to purchase a pristine but used Recording for $1,000 or so that will play just as well . . . and play that sucker!

2b. If it doesn't sell, rip it out of the case and play that sucker!!!!!!

Either way . . . you have nothing to lose and will at least offer the collector of unuesed items the opportunity to save that horn for the ages!

You lucky stiff!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

bulos · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 11:01 am Post subject:

Still Trying · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:17 am Post subject:

I retract my vote. Tom has by far the best idea.
_________________
S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?