AboutMike Pawul Expertise I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
Question Hi, My daughter is using my husbands old OLDS trumpet, My husband's uncle was a friend of Harry James and Betty Grable and he got one of Harry's practice trumpets as a present for my husband back in the 1950's. The serial # is 650. Is this a valuable trumpet? It goes to 5th Grade band class every day. Just wondering? Thanks!
Answer Lynn, The horn itself is a very good pro player that is one of the first trumpets made by Olds. It would be from 1929 and that is the first year they made trumpets. It would be fairly valuable to a collector of early Olds models. If you have any documented proof that it was owned by Harry James that makes it considerably more valuable. I couldn't give you an actual value without knowing more information and seeing the horn. However, here is a link to the best website about Olds horns that is run by Alan Rouse: http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm
