Hello. Has anyone had experience playing a vintage (1930’ s-40’s) Olds Standard trombone? I’m curious about how it plays/sounds.
Thanks.
John
Olds Standard - Opinions?
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- JohnL
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
The usual caveat up front - Olds small-shank mouthpiece receivers are significantly undersize, so some people do have issues when using mouthpieces with a standard shank.
Which "Standard" are you thinking about? One like this?
http://itsabear.com/horns/TIB_Standard/ ... ndard.html
Which "Standard" are you thinking about? One like this?
http://itsabear.com/horns/TIB_Standard/ ... ndard.html
- hurry
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
I have an Olds Special(1947).
I like the sound.
Olds horns made by Calf. factory are popular.
I like the case similar to fender guitar's 'tweed' too.
hurry
I like the sound.
Olds horns made by Calf. factory are popular.
I like the case similar to fender guitar's 'tweed' too.
hurry
hurry, not in a hurry
- ghmerrill
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
I have a '47 Standard (with the unusual "serpentine" braces) that I bought off Ebay a couple of years ago for $125. So I can't really complain.
I think the cost of the horn in 1947 was around $2,000 or a bit more in today's currency. It was the #2 pro horn in the line at that point.
I don't play it much and got it just for fun and in case I need to play tenor somewhere. I like it, but find it to be a bit slide heavy. With the original Olds #3 mouthpiece it has the classic Olds sound -- which is noticeably brighter than more modern horns, I guess. But it really likes that mouthpiece. Would be a good jazz horn. Doesn't blend so well with modern tenors in a section.
I have a Kelly 7C mouthpiece for it that I sanded the shank down on to fit the Olds receiver, and with that it sounds more like a normal contemporary tenor.
Can't say anything more about it. I just don't have the experience. But it's a hoot to play.

I don't play it much and got it just for fun and in case I need to play tenor somewhere. I like it, but find it to be a bit slide heavy. With the original Olds #3 mouthpiece it has the classic Olds sound -- which is noticeably brighter than more modern horns, I guess. But it really likes that mouthpiece. Would be a good jazz horn. Doesn't blend so well with modern tenors in a section.
I have a Kelly 7C mouthpiece for it that I sanded the shank down on to fit the Olds receiver, and with that it sounds more like a normal contemporary tenor.
Can't say anything more about it. I just don't have the experience. But it's a hoot to play.
Gary Merrill
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
Amati Oval Euph
1924 Buescher 3-valve Eb tuba
Schiller American Heritage 7B clone bass trombone
M/K nickel MV50 leadpipe
DE LB K/K8/112 Lexan
1947 Olds "Standard" trombone (Bach 12c)
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Thank you all!
JM
JM
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Doug Elliott has a shank designed to fit LA Olds receivers, as well as some alto bones. You can use a "modern" size cup and rim that fits the horn.
Jerry Walker
Happily Retired
1957 Conn 6H
Bach 6 3/4C
1989 Yamaha YSL-684G
Bach 6 3/4C
Happily Retired

1957 Conn 6H
Bach 6 3/4C
1989 Yamaha YSL-684G
Bach 6 3/4C
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Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
I'm playing a 1940 Olds Standard. Fantastic horn esp. since I got the leadpipe replaced so it takes a mpc other than a vintage Olds mpc at the correct depth. BAC Horn Dr. did the work.