Vintage Trumpet For Sale
There are many great musicians who know the quality and performance of
vintage trumpets better than me, so please do not consider this guide as definitive or authoritative. It is more my observations based on owning, playing and trading over 200 vintage olds trumpets. I am sure this guide will alter over time, and I would appreciate your comments on olds trumpets or this guide by contacting me through ebay.
LA trumpets versus Fullerton trumpets
I know trumpet players and collectors that get very happy about LA horns which were made pre 1953. I really am not worried how a horn looks today, only how it plays. I have had great playing 1970s Fullerton Ambassadors and crap playing 1950s LA Recordings.
With vintage trumpets, it is my opinion that each horn is unique and should be judged so; not dismissed just because it is a beginner horn, a 70s horn; similarly it should not be revered because it is a Recording trumpet, a 4 digit serial number instrument or an LA trumpet !
All vintage fans have surely read that Olds quality declined in the 70s. I would say that 3 out of the best 10 vintage trumpets I have played have been from the 70s. There has only been one Olds 40s horn that I have played that could be compared to modern horns in a section.
Custom Bb (Ultrasonic)
The Custom vintage trumpet for sale was made in the 70s, when it was reported that Olds quality had decreased. The Custom trumpet was endorsed by Bobby Shews and was a lightweight model. It was presented as being above the Recording and Mendez trumpets and gossip were that Mendez himself actually wanted a Custom trumpet. I have only played 2 of these but have found that they are at least likeworthy to the Mendez model.
These are very underrated and I have heard many people describe them as a sleeping titan waiting to be found. The term "Ultrasonic" I assume referred to the bell design, and whilst my knowledge of the Ultrasonic Custom and Super is very positive I know people who found the Ultrasonic Mendez not to his liking. Ultrasonic was engraved on the leadpipe/receiver of the vintage trumpets that had the ultrasonic bell design. When the Custom was first offered for sale the purchaser had the option of a choice of leadpipes or bells, hence the name "custom".
Mendez
I have played over 20 of these varying from a 52 model to a 76. They have all been extrodinary trumpets. I have had professional players around my house just to try a selection of vintage olds. They all say that the Mendez has the edge. The bracing on a mendez is unequal to all other olds which I think makes it more efficient, I may be wrong but they certainly produce a solid sound.
Opera
These were presented in 1960 and were targeting symphonic player because they had huge bores of 0.468". They are great players for those that like very large bore horns. I am not a fan of these horns !!
Recording
The valve block is nearer to the bell end, middle valve offset and it shares the same 3rd trigger mechanism as the Mendez. This is a one off horn in style and playing abilyties. It has a rose brass bell that makes it a dark sound but can be clearer with the lacquer stripped, and in my belief does not benefit from being silver plated (i would say that with all olds). These are really very nice playing trumpets that are still played by professional players. As a matter of choice I recommend the red brass leadpipe to the yellow brass or nickel.
Super
The Super was targeted at the pro player and had a silver (brass on rare occassions) tone ring to the bell, I believe this was a gimmick and was duplicated from or by the Reynolds Contempora and the Getzen Super Deluxe. I have found these very conservative players except for a 70s Ultrasonic version which was very open and with the best Olds I have played. I know many people feel that they have a clear tone suited to Lead playing.
Studio
Pre 1967 Studios had a silver end to the bell flair, it looks great on a restored horn and gives the trumpet a distinctive sound. I have not found a bad playing pre 67 Studio and would put them right up there with the Mendez for operating satisfaction. They are not as dark sounding as the Recording or as clear as the Super and it lacks the huge sound of the Mendez, but a great all round trumpet. These are very underrated and under priced for the standard of the
Post 67 Studios were nickel plated and had a first slide trigger. The nickel takes away the zingy sound, the typical Olds tone. In my opinion the revamped Studio was a setback.
Special
Another nice trumpet but it went through many stages of development from being an ambassador with a different name to being a nice tri coloured trumpet. There must be some exceptional playing Specials around (my first trumpet was a 48 special) but I have not found one yet.
Ambassador
The Ambassador is a trumpet many people have played or know musicians who has played one. If you need a good second trumpet or a solid beginner trumpet then you can not go wrong. There is a load of garbage said that they are equal to many pro horns that are produced today. It may have been the case when they were new but you have to get in mind that they have been around for between 30 to 60 years. Like all Olds vintage trumpets they will have aged uniquely, depending on the how much use it has had, how often it has been cleaned, the acidity of the musicians hands or breath etc.
Out of over 60 Ambassadors that I have played I would say that maybe half of them would hold their own as a section horn in a big band or concert band. 6 or 7 of them have been extrodinary and you could surely say that they were as good as many pro vintage trumpet for sale made today ( by pro horn I mean those that claim to be such as the top of the range Blessing, new kings and new conns - surely not as good as the xenos or strads).
French Model
These are very rare, and I have been lucky to have played one of them. It was a good horn for a 75 year old but thats all in my opinion. I think you have to draw the line somewhere at what is still a pro standard playable trumpet and what is a collectors horn. I have not found a instrument pre 48 that I would play on a gig.
Lacquer
You are lucky to discover an original Olds with lacquer intact. Losing the lacquer is part of the aging process and what make the tone of the vintage horn special. I would recommend if it is too patchy and you are worried about the look of it, strip it down rather than risk the relacquering altering the sound. It is very tempting to have a collectible vintage horn restored but do not be surprised if it sounds totally different when it comes back.
Raw tarnished brass can turn your fingers green. When you have polished raw brass try finishing it off with furnature polish. This keeps its shine for loner and stops the green on your hands.
Super Recording
The Super Recording is a vintage trumpet that I have not had the pleasure of playing. They are rare and collectible and everyone who I know has owned one speaks very good about it.
Pinto
The pinto was an experimental failure, very ugly with a moulded valve block. I played one the other day and was surprised at how good it was!!! It was only student standard but not as bad as I thought
Purchasing vintage musical instruments are not as hard as you think. On Ebay you will find many good objects.