Page 1 of 1
Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 8:26 am
by Jmindeman
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
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 12:57 pm
by JohnL
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
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 5:46 pm
by hurry
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
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 6:02 pm
by ghmerrill
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.
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:58 am
by Jmindeman
Thank you all!
JM
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:55 am
by Driswood
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.
Re: Olds Standard - Opinions?
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 12:25 pm
by sporto
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.