Olds Ambassador Flute Serial Numbers
Flute and Sax Serial Numbers A compilation of serial numbers of the most popular manufacturers of the 20th cenntury. Olds Selmer SML. It's a slight upgrade from the Ambassador model. This flute is so late that the serial is not on the look-up. And I have these flutes and their serial numbers. Flute and Sax Serial Numbers A compilation of serial numbers of the most popular manufacturers of the 20th cenntury. Olds Selmer SML.
Olds Special Cornet 1958 - Reconditioned, Original Case and Olds 3 MP
Olds Special Cornet 1958 - Reconditioned, Original Case and Olds 3 MP - Bore.460 - Serial# 289 . Early Fullerton Special model, excellent player with solid fast valves with excellent compression.Brand: Olds$40.77 shippingFinish: Brass LacquerCustoms services and international tracking providedOlds Studio Trumpet
Used Condition. Extras, with two mouth pieces and hard case.Brand: Olds$66.36 shippingFinish: SilverCustoms services and international tracking providedOlds Recording Trumpet 1963 Excellent Original Condition
Excellent Original Condition, Professional Level Horn. Original case in excellent condition(only had to install a new handle). -Original Lyre. Just serviced, including ultrasonic cleaning, dent removal(only 2 small dings on bell!).Brand: Olds$186.59 shippingCustoms services and international tracking providedTHIS WAS A ONE-OWNER HORN. IT HAS LOTS OF FINISH WEAR, WAS PLAYED A LOT, BUT WAS CARED FOR BY THE OWNER, ALWAYS CLEANED AND OILED. INCLUDES ORIGINAL OLDS #3 MOUTHPIECE, ORIGINAL KEY FOR THE CASE, MUSIC HOLDER, A MUTE, AND SALES RECEIPT FROM 1958 (HIS MOM RENTED IT FOR A YEAR BEFORE BUYING).Brand: Olds$58.75 shippingFinish: Brass LacquerCustoms services and international tracking providedCornet OLDS Ambassador, Los Angeles,Ca. Great Playing Cornet in Original case
OLDS Ambassador Cornet, Good Playing cornet in Original case. serial number 747xx. made in Los Angeles, Ca. case in fair/good condition with Ambassador brass plate, mouthpiece.Brand: Olds$35.00 shippingCustoms services and international tracking provided1934 Olds Symphony Trumpet with Original Case - Amazing
This is a two owner horn. Horn was well used in orchestras, jazz and marching bands. Case has a great streamlined and compact shape. Included is a size 7 Bach Mouthpiece and the original Lyre Sheet Music Holder.Brand: Olds$81.05 shippingFinish: LacquerOlds Studio Trumpet
This Olds Studio Model Trumpet is in very good condition. The silver bell on the Olds Studio trumpets give them a unique sound, warm and rounded with smooth overtones and good intonation.Brand: Olds$99.87 shippingCustoms services and international tracking providedVintage Olds Ambassador Trombone Fullerton, Ca - With Case
I was unable to pinpoint exact year (did not find a serial number). Original mouthpiece missing.Brand: Olds$121.32 shippingFinish: Brass LacquerCustoms services and international tracking providedVINTAGE OLDS #M130597
I will look it for you. HoweverI will provide courteous and responsive service.From Japan$30.00 shippingBrand: OldsLarge Shank Vintage Olds 3 Cornet Mouthpiece
Brand: Olds$14.63 shippingCustoms services and international tracking providedVintage Olds Recording Trumpet (Excellent Condition )
Vintage Olds Recording Trumpet from 1972.Excellent condition. No dents,dings,laquer is 95 plus.Excellent compression. Just professionally cleaned ($100).All slides and valves work freely.Has silver nickel lead pipe with rose brass bell.Second valve is offset,with forward balanced valve section.Comes with original two handle case.Leather trim on case edges is worn,but a good solid case.Brand: Olds$91.99 shippingCustoms services and international tracking providedFor consideration is a F.E. Olds and Son F Alto trombone. This old trombone is believed to be from the late 40's or early 50's. The slide moves smoothly and freely and although i am not a player, i've no doubt that one who is, could play this trombone right now.Brand: Olds$70.94 shippingCustoms services and international tracking providedBrand: Oldsor Best OfferF. E. Olds & Son Ambassador vintage TRUMPET & Case / movie star prop
This is a used Olds Ambassador Model Trumpet with original case. Though the horn has much finish wear, the actual dents and dings are fairly minimal. Also, all the tuning slides, and the pistons, are working well, so this is ready to play.Brand: Olds$91.16 shippingFinish: BrassCustoms services and international tracking providedcornet Roth Cleavland ,Ohio serial 74560 some restoration required
Cleavland Ohio,serial # 74560.Brand: Olds$100.00 shippingFinish: BrassVintage Olds Ambassador Trombone with King Mouthpiece * Must See! No Reserve!
The end slide is stuck. The case is functional, if not pretty. It is old and a bit musty, the ends have been reinforced by tape. The etching is really hard to read, I made out Ambassador and Calif., but that's about it.0 bids$89.25 shippingEnding Wednesday at 2:14PM PDT2d 4hBrand: OldsEarly 1951 Vintage Ambassador Olds Cornet made in LA SN57153 Plays well
Notes:- Early 1951 Vintage Ambassador Olds Cornet made in Los Angeles sn57153 Plays well w/ no issues w/ mute, case, music holder, music, etc.Brand: Oldsor Best OfferOlds Valve Trombone With Original Sales Reciept From 1967
The tuning slides move great and seal well. On the valve trombone itself it has a little bit of wear on the lacquer from use and a little bit of discoloration where it was most handled, otherwise it's clean and free of dents except for two almost unnoticeable ones on the top of the tube in front of the valve assembly.Brand: Oldsor Best OfferVintage Olds Special Trombone Fullerton Calif. with case and mouthpiece
The trombone seems to be in good condition with a few dings and marks from age and use.0 bidsor Best OfferEnding Wednesday at 9:59PM PDT2d 12hBrand: OldsFinish: BrassVintage Olds And Son Trombone Ambassader
Vintage Olds And Son Trombone Ambassader. Used worn and not sure how it plays.0 bidsEnding Wednesday at 12:48PM PDT2d 3hBrand: OldsVintage Olds Special trumpet
1943 Olds Special trumpet sn 144560 with original case. Made around 1943.Brand: Oldsor Best OfferFinish: Brass LacquerVINTAGE around 1973 OLDS AMBASSADOR BRASS JAZZ CORNET SERIAL920384 'WORKS'
VERY SHINNY. THE MOUTH PIECE ISN'T BRASS MUST HAVE REFLECTED OFF THE CORNET. THE CASE IS THE ORIGINAL NOT BAD CONDITION SHOWS AGE. WILL NEED TO BE CLEANED AND REFURBISHED BUT WILL BE WELL WORTH IT.Brand: Oldsor Best OfferFinish: BrassOlds baritone overhauled, bell upright, 1973 vintage
Used Olds Ambassador baritone, Mod. A-35(catalog page shown of 1974), Ser. Number lists put manufactured date in 1973. This fine upright bell baritone has horizontally mounted valves for ease of playing, and the bore size is. 560'.Brand: OldsFinish: LacquerVINTAGE OLDS SPECIAL TRUMPET
0 bidsEnding Thursday at 7:09PM PDT3d 9hBrand: OldsVintage Olds Ambassador Trombone
I have noticed a few dings on the horn - the slide is smooth until near the end.0 bidsEnding May 26 at 7:03AM PDT5d 21hBrand: OldsFinish: Brass
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- Olds Recording Trumpet 1963 Excellent Original Condition+$186.59 shipping
- Vintage Olds 1 Cornet Mouthpiece. very scarce. Large Shank+$19.69 shipping
- Cornet OLDS Ambassador, Los Angeles,Ca. Great Playing Cornet in Original case+$35.00 shipping
- F.E. Olds & Son F Alto Trombone in Case with Mouthpiece Vintage 40's 50's+$70.94 shipping
- 1934 Olds Symphony Trumpet with Original Case - Amazing+$81.05 shipping
- $900.00Make Offer
- $232.00Make Offer
- $118.99Make Offer
- Vintage Olds Recording Trumpet (Excellent Condition )+$91.99 shipping
- Vintage Olds 3C Cornet Mouthpiece, pristine condition+$14.18 shipping
- $176.00Make Offer
- $99.99Make Offer
I figured I would write this guide after an unfortunate experience I had on Ebay purchasing an Olds Ambassador for my son due to a deceptive listing. Having previously done my research I am sharing it here so those in search of this wonderful instrument can hopefully avoid my unfortunate experience.
Olds Ambassador Flute History
James Donaldson's Trumpet Gearhead web site at dallasmusic.org provides wonderful information about trumpets. He gives useful advise on purchasing trumpets, care, testing, what not to do etc..
Look Up Flute Serial Numbers
One topic he covers is the Olds Ambassafor Trumpets, which were made for the student market. This is where I learned about these wonderful trumpets, including the other models made by F.E. Olds in the USA until the company went under in 1979.
Donaldson recommends the Olds Ambassador model as one of 'the best ever' that are still very available. There are plenty to find on Ebay. However, there is a certain caution as the horns for sale are not all the same. I have seen Ambassadors for sale that have been totally restored like new without knowing what their serial number is since it was removed during the polishing so it is unknown what year model you are getting sometimes. Unless of course the restorer does not buff out the serial number. Refinishing can vary from a brushed finish or a restoration as the horn was orignally sold or even unlaquered brass. Purchasing a restored horn, regardless of the type of restoration usually costs more and the buyer should still beware and ask the seller lots of questions before bidding or buying it now.
Another condition is original with rub spots in the lacquer. While the condition of the lacquer can vary from horn to horn depending on the care it was given by the prior owner or owners, having a horn with at least 70% of its lacquer can usually be a sure bet the horn is in good condition. I have seen horns from the early 50s with a lot of their lacquer and minimal wear or mininal dings.
Also consider that improvements to lacquering can affect a horn depending on the year model. For instance the Ambassadors manufactured in Los Angeles when found today often have a darker color probably due to the type of lacquer used. Often the Fullerton models retain their color better which may be due to a change in the lacquer used.
Climate can also affect lacquer on an instrument and how the instrument is stored. Humid climates can take their toll on brass instruments unlike dryer climates.
The next category of condition Olds Ambassadors have been up for auction on Ebay are those that have been the subject of self-help restoration or those that have been modified or sustained damage. While seller descriptions may not be thorough, buyer's should beware and look at the pictures carefully.
Such horns subject to self-help polishing reduce the value of such instrument and should be avoided unless the buyer is experienced in restoration and knows what they are doing. It is often easy to spot such self-help polished instruments as the brass is bright and shiny and not a mellow warm tone color of an instrument with most of its original lacquer. These self-help Ambassadors are often listed as estate finds with the seller knowing nothing about instruments.
Buyer care should also be taken with instruments that have damages. Carefully review the description and pictures for any damages. Dings and minor dents don't usually detract from an instruments playability. What should be the upmost concern for Buyers is whether any of the tubing is bent. I encounterd such a problem with an Ambassador in which the Seller neglected to describe that a main tube was not only compressed it was bent and this was not visible in the photos.
While an instrument with a bent tube may play, it may not play up its top quality. Also repairing such an instrument can be costly as the tubing usually needs to be replaced when it is damaged beyond a simple ding. Hence Buyers should ask if any of the tubing is bent or out of the original alignment or if there appears to be repairs to the bracing or if any parts have been rewelded.
While may prize the Los Angeles Ambassadors, the early Fullerton ones are also gems. The early Fullertons have the same bracing as the Los Angeles ones as it was later on that Olds changed the bracing, mouthpiece receiver and the pinky ring to a finger hook, which may have been around 1958. Also the engraving from the early models changed and this is evident comparing the 50s models to the 70s models. The earlier engraving is much more elaborate.
Serial numbers are another important factor to consider to date a horn. It is fairly easy to date the Los Angeles models that have 'Los Angeles' engraved on the bell, as those were made until Olds moved to Fullerton around 1954. After the move the Ambassador trumpets had engraved Fullerton on the bell. The Ambassadors manufatured in Fullerton had a much longer run. Musictrader.com on their Olds page lists Olds serial numbers from March 1952 at 73000 (anything earlier would be before that date) to number 999999 in September 1977.
The serial numbers are also carried on each of the 3 valves and this is another consideration a Buyer should query a seller. If a valve has been replaced it will not carry the same serial number or may not have one at all. Seller's should disclose this information in their listing as it is easy to determine by removing the valves from the horn.
Several other details that Buyers should beware are whether any of the slides are stuck, whether the valve covers are stuck in place or the threads stripped, the water keys are in working order or missing, any parts are missing. Purchasing an instrument with these problems can be quite costly to repair or find replacement parts for and may not be worth the investment.
As James Donaldson stated in his wonderful guide 'these are great playing horns, often better than other companies' allegedly professional models, built to withstand all the rigors of the school band room, marching field, and street. They were built to be played at Armegedon.'
Donaldson points out that these vintage Ambassadors 'are not the prettiest things around' and considering Olds stopped production in 1979 such horns are at least over 30 years old and goes on to state that those 'worn and in need of some repair . . . I wouldn't bother with . . . unless you know pretty much what you are doing.'
As Donaldson said '[l]ook at the more expensive ones--they are essentially ready to go . . .' although 'they may have some splotchy lacquer.'
And just that, an Olds Ambassador with some cosmetic wear, minimal dings or none at all, aligned tubes and some splotchy lacquer, with a little TLC, can make some nice music.