1967 Olds Ambassador

[walldaja]

I learned how to play trombone on an Olds small bore trombone with TIS. It was a horn with a history but being young and dumb I traded it for a new and shiny Besson 10-10. Always had a soft spot toward Olds.

I came across this 1967 Ambassador pretty much by accident. It was on eBay and I tossed a bid at it and forgot about it until I got the email saying I won. When the horn came I was impressed how nice it was but it did need a little love. The corks on the slide tubes were gone and the slide wasn't the best. I took it to a small local shop and they did a nice job aligning the slide and taking a divot out of the bell. The damage to the bell was caused by someone not putting the slide back properly. Unfortunately, I had to dump the case. It just smelled too bad!

The more I play this horn the more I like it. Slide started getting balky so I rodded out the outer tubes and they gave up gunk. Fresh lube on the slide and it's a 10! Glad I bought a small bore sock for the cleaning rod.

I'm surprised by the sound of this horn, especially the low notes. Amazing what can come out of a .485 / .500 small bore with little effort.

[FEWeathers]

I have a 1950 Ambassador, and I concur.

It slots really well, has a centered high register (High E in 2nd position/ High Bb in third), and a really solid sound in the low range for such a small bore horn. They're really good.

Mine is an early, LA one, without a reverse tuning slide, and without the additional brace.

Verdict: built like a tank, but sings like a canary.

[dxhall]

I’ve read that Ambassadors differ from the Olds “pro” horns in that (1) the brass is thicker and (2) there is more clearance between the outside of the stocking and the inside of the outer slide tube. I wonder if this is true.

[walldaja]

For those of you who have sharp eyes, it is put together to play left-handed.

Always played left-handed until I got my first Bb/F trombone. At that point I was faced with not getting a trigger or playing it right handed. Being mostly left-handed it was a lot easier for me to return to playing right-handed. I learned the right way but changed in high school to be different and at that time I don't think I had ever seen a trigger on a horn.

For me, this horn just wants to be played left-handed.

[Mamaposaune]

I’ve read that Ambassadors differ from the Olds “pro” horns in that (1) the brass is thicker and (2) there is more clearance between the outside of the stocking and the inside of the outer slide tube. I wonder if this is true.

I think one of the differences between the Ambassadors and the pro horns is the brace on the outer slide - it is one piece, not 3, which is cheaper to manufacture but also makes it harder for a tech to re-align the slide. Also, there is no nickel trim. I'm not sure about the brass being thicker; I suppose it would make them more durable but also heavier. My son still has his '59 Ambassador, his first trombone that I found on eBay when he was in the 4th grade. It has almost no lacquer, but otherwise is in great shape and the slide is very smooth with no plating wear and good compression. He has not played at all for a few years, and was fine with me selling his Yamaha 421, but wants to hang on to the Olds.