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Expert: Mike Pawul - 5/21/2009


Question
My Grandfather has had an old trumpet lying around forever and he and I are getting curious as to how much it might be worth. It's an FE Olds and Sons Military with the Serial number of 7663 or 7668 it's a little hard to make out. It also says Los Angeles CA on the bell near the label.

Answer
Luke, With either serial number the horn dates to 1932. The Military model is pretty rare and is very striking with a hand hammered bell. The value is determined by the wear to the horn and the valves and where and when you sell the horn. I rarely see them for sale and when I do they are always over $1000, if in good shape.

Here is a link to learn more about Olds and their horns on a website run by Alan Rouse:
http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm

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Mike 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 several bands and have many "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 600 with more than 400 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 work on over 900 horns.

Organizations
Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band, River Cities Concert Band, Derby City Brass Band, University of Louisville Community Band, Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN), Bugles Across America (BAA), Member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT)

Education/Credentials
I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College. Of course, I am still learning from all my friends that play and work on trumpets around the world.

Awards and Honors
Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.

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