Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/10/2007

Question
Hi!  I recently purchased an FE Olds on eBay.  There are a lot of scratches and it is very tarnished, but very few if any dents.  The tuning slide is easy to adjust, and the slide lock and water key both work fine.  The seller test played the horn, and it produces a very nice tone.  It has a  7.5" bell, and was made in Fullerton, CA.  The serial number is 180135, the number 46 is on the hole where the slide connects.  It came with an Olds original brown plastic case, with worn reddish velvet, and 3 silver-tone clasps.  You can see photos on eBay, item #140140104985.

I'm wondering when this horn was made.  The websites I looked at seem to say 1955-56.  I'd also like to know an approximate value and whether it would be worth it to restore this instrument?  What might that cost?

Thanks so much!  Kim

Answer
You have student model trombone from 1956.  The Olds instruments are all very durably made, and are all in all decent instruments.  It doesn't sound like it needs much work to be a good playable instrument.  But, there is not much point in spending a lot of money on it to make it pretty.