WTB: Olds Ambassador slide.

ttf_Mrjohnnydhall · Post by **ttf_Mrjohnnydhall** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:50 pm

I'm looking to buy an ambassador slide for use with my Olds 0-20 valve trombone bell section. Condition of the lacquer is of no concern to me, just want it to work smooth. Thanks

ttf_dershem · Post by **ttf_dershem** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:18 pm

I've been looking for one of these fore about a decade now... good luck!

ttf_bonesmarsh · Post by **ttf_bonesmarsh** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:48 pm

All small bore Olds slides have the same sized tenon. You don't specifically need an Ambassador slide for the job. They'll all fit.

ttf_ghmerrill · Post by **ttf_ghmerrill** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:26 pm

I'm puzzled about the scarcity of Ambassador slides. You might have to buy an Ambassador to get one, but they're certainly plentiful enough, and frequently at very low prices. The Craigslists around here very often have some advertized. Or check https://www.shopgoodwill.com/listings/ListByCatFilter.asp?catID=190&ending=Items on a regular basis.

You can find them offered for as little as $50, and under $100 isn't unusual. I've almost bought a couple of old Fullerton Olds horns just to get the mouthpieces. Of course, if you're hoping to pick one up for $20 including shipping, that may be stretching it.

ttf_greenbean · Post by **ttf_greenbean** » Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:30 pm

Yeah, forget it. Just buy a complete horn. They are a dime a dozen.

ttf_gregs70 · Post by **ttf_gregs70** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:28 pm

Quote from: greenbean on Jul 20, 2017, 08:30PMYeah, forget it. Just buy a complete horn. They are a dime a dozen.
Where do I send my dime?

ttf_Full Pedal Trombonist · Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:59 pm

So I have a raw brass Ambassador slide that I was going to pair with my Olds valve bone bell. I got it free because there is a paper towel or napkin stuck in ( always use cheesecloth, by the way) and I never bothered to dissolve it with hot water or something. Technically I don't need it because I have my Super slide that I like the best and another full LA Ambassador that I feel plays better than the valve bone bell.

ttf_ghmerrill · Post by **ttf_ghmerrill** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 4:28 pm

Quote from: gregs70 on Yesterday at 03:28 PMWhere do I send my dime?

Maybe a "dime" is mostly metaphorical. The prices on these things are all over the board. On the Craigslists in my immediate vicinity there are currently two offered near Greensboro, NC.

The first is asking $75. It's an LA Ambassador, circa 1950 with worn finish, but appears to have only a few very minor dents (not actually visible in the pictures). Includes the original case (including an "I like Ike" sticker that also appears to be original!). It also includes the original Olds #3 mouthpiece which appears to be unblemished. So probably a good-playing horn.

The second appears also to be an Ambassador of much newer vintage. It's quite shiny and is pretty obviously a "recent" Fullerton horn in one of the later plastic cases. The price on it is $300, and the seller says that he paid $1,000 for it in 2014 at Greensboro Music Co. -- which I'm afraid is probably true. It was bought for a middle school student who used it for two years. No comment.

Last year I passed up a 60s vintage Fullerton Ambassador in excellent condition for $45 (in New Bern -- being sold by the original owner) and ended up with a '47 Olds Standard in excellent condition (modulo some minor cosmetic finish issues) off Ebay for $125 (including mouthpiece and after maket hard case). I put $40 into having the slide alignment improved, and it's a fantastic player.

ttf_gregs70 · Post by **ttf_gregs70** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 4:41 pm

Quote from: ghmerrill on Yesterday at 04:28 PMMaybe a "dime" is mostly metaphorical. The prices on these things are all over the board. On the Craigslists in my immediate vicinity there are currently two offered near Greensboro, NC.

The first is asking $75. It's an LA Ambassador, circa 1950 with worn finish, but appears to have only a few very minor dents (not actually visible in the pictures). Includes the original case (including an "I like Ike" sticker that also appears to be original!). It also includes the original Olds #3 mouthpiece which appears to be unblemished. So probably a good-playing horn.

The second appears also to be an Ambassador of much newer vintage. It's quite shiny and is pretty obviously a "recent" Fullerton horn in one of the later plastic cases. The price on it is $300, and the seller says that he paid $1,000 for it in 2014 at Greensboro Music Co. -- which I'm afraid is probably true. It was bought for a middle school student who used it for two years. No comment.

Last year I passed up a 60s vintage Fullerton Ambassador in excellent condition for $45 (in New Bern -- being sold by the original owner) and ended up with a '47 Olds Standard in excellent condition (modulo some minor cosmetic finish issues) off Ebay for $125 (including mouthpiece and after maket hard case). I put $40 into having the slide alignment improved, and it's a fantastic player.

Just pullin' your leg, man. I have a Fullerton Ambassador in the basement. I tried to sell it to a kid for pep band but he wanted the newer King student horn I had too. The Olds is a better player, but it was his money!

ttf_ghmerrill · Post by **ttf_ghmerrill** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 6:15 pm

Yeah ... not much knowledge amongst the younger crowd for the older stuff. Better for us who care.

One of my section mates in community band plays a Bach 36 (with F), but she still has an Olds Recording she had as a kid.

ttf_Mrjohnnydhall · Post by **ttf_Mrjohnnydhall** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:18 am

I am aware that the tenons on the olds trombones are mostly compatible, I just figured it would be easier to find the slide of an ambassador than from one of the other models. I was kinda trying to avoid getting more trombone parts that I really don't have a use or need for, hence why I'm avoiding buying a complete ambassador.