Olds Los Angeles #3124

[Syz]

I just found this instrument. I know next to nothing about it. From reading this board, I know that it’s got a tune-in-slide and from a list, I believe it’s pre-1923. Any info would be appreciated

[BGuttman]

This is the original Olds trombone, patent 1912. I have one that is a little newer than yours and silver plate. Mine has an engraving of a bear playing trombone on the bell (Olds slogan "It's the Bear").

They came in several sizes: L, LM, and M. They are dual bore (upper tube is smaller than the lower tube). Bells range from 7" to 8" (mine is 8", yours looks more like 7").

They play very nicely, but can be a nightmare to hold if there is no counterweight.

More information on JohnL's site www.itsabear.com.

[JohnL]

Olds built only one "model" of trombone at the time this one was made ("The Olds Trombone"), but it came in different sizes. Look around the tenon area (where the two halves of the instrument fit together) and see if you can find some letters. You're looking for S, SM, M, LM, L, or SYM - those are the size designations that Olds used. M (for Medium) and LM (for Large Medium) are by far the most common sizes. The others (S for Small or Solo, SM for Small Medium, L for Large and SYM for Symphony) are quite a bit rarer. You'll probably find at least one serial number and possibly two in that same area; don't worry if the bell and slide serials don't match, as that's generally the rule rather than the exception for Olds trombones of that era, particularly the LM and M versions.

The finish looks like it might be gold plated; I can see some contact areas that look like gold has been worn through with silver underneath.

The serial number lists are guesstimates, but mid-1920's is about as close as you're going to get; it's "F. E. Olds" rather than "F. E. Olds and Son", so it's before 1925.

[mwpfoot]

I have a very plain 70xx 'L' that is fun to play. The slotting is kind of extreme, which makes it ... zippy? It sits here waiting for a traditional jazz gig, inside, where I'm not pressed into tuba service. Fun to rip around in the right setting like this!

I also have a 103xx '7 1/2 LM' with a deco "The Olds" etching and a sculpted bear counterweigh. It is maybe more of a conversation piece, in my hands at least - not bad, just nothing special other than how cool it looks.

On my really old horns I have found that equally funky old mouthpieces are needed to unlock them and make them come to life (for me). On both of these I've settled on a Frank Holton 84, which looks a bit like a small classic Olds mouthpiece but it has a less chunky rim. Your mileage in this regard will vary, but if it plays a little dead or wonky I definitely recommend cycling through a bunch of rando mouthpieces, even if they skew smaller than what you are used to. Something strange just might be the perfect link between you and the horn.

Cool horn!

[mwpfoot]

If you are just wondering re: resale, there are a surprising number of them still around and not too much demand for small old horns. So they tend to go for Ambassador prices despite being the Olds "pro" horns of their time.

[biggiesmalls]

I have M1778 in raw brass with nickel trim, and S2583 in silver plate with gold wash inner flare, both with original cases. It's fun to have a pair for occasionally playing period duets.

In addition to JohnL's excellent site ( http://www.itsabear.com/ ) Robb Stewart has an interesting and informative webpage on early Olds trombones: https://www.robbstewart.com/olds-early-trombones