AboutColin Murray Expertise I can answer about trombone equipment (instruments, mouthpieces, used horns, etc) and
trombone (especially bass trombone) playing. If I don't know right away, I have an extensive
network of experts to call on. I can't help you get a date.
Experience 25 years as professional bass trombonist (playing in big bands,orchestras, theatre, etc), 20 years as brass repair technician and retail and wholesale sales. Bass trombone instructor at Humber College, Toronto. Creator of website www.mrequipment.net - all about brass and woodwind gear and the people behind it.
Organizations National Association of Music Merchants, American Federation of Musicians, International Trombone Association
Education/Credentials B.Mus, L.Mus (Performance) McGill University, Montreal
Question Someone gave me an old trombone for my daughter. She has been playing for 5 years and she has a Holden. This trombone trombone just given to me is an Olds Ambassador. It has two numbers on it. One is 463 and the other is 590. When was this trombone made? Was it a student or professional trombone. What would it cost to restore it and would it be worth it. The trombone looks like it is in decent shape and my daughter played it. It has a nice sound. Would one of those numbers be the serial number? Thanks so much, Heidi Williams
Answer Hello Heidi,
The Olds Ambassador was their student model trombone. It wasn't a bad student horn, but not nearly as good as the Olds Ambassador trumpet. From a repair technician's standpoint, the Ambassador's slide was very difficult to repair. (If the slide works well now, you're in luck.) Apart from that, they're solidly built and sound pretty good, but if you're looking for an upgrade from a Holton Collegiate, this wouldn't be it. Without seeing it, it would be difficult to tell you how much it would cost to restore it, but apart from dent work and some work on the slide, I wouldn't advise putting more money into it. I certainly don't think it would be worth relacquering. Your local repair technician should be able to give you an estimate.
As for the serial number, it should be a six digit number, which you should find on the slide right where the slide lock nut is located. If you find that number and send it to me, I can date it, or you can date it yourself by looking up the serial number on this list: http://www.musictrader.com/olds.html. You can also find some information on the Olds company (which folded in 1979) at this website: http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm (It's mostly about trumpets, but there is some info about trombones, too.)
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Colin Murray
www.mrequipment.net
"It's not HOW you play, it's WHAT you play!"
