Pristine LA Olds Recording with counterweight

[mooretrombone]

Hi folks,

I’ve come into possession of a BEAUTIFUL Olds (LA) Recording that I’m looking for some assistance with. It was donated by the widow of the owner, and I rescued it from getting used by a young beginner.

It looks immaculate - I’d love to know if anybody sees signs of an overhaul, or can otherwise confirm/deny its original condition. I believe the serial number, 34xxx, dates it to around 1948. It does have the duo-octagonal tubes (plating looks great) and original counterweight! If anybody has a guess at a value, I’d be glad to hear it. I do plan to eventually sell it, but am in no hurry and am researching for now.

[Doug Elliott]

Very nice! They made such nice looking details.
LOL.. "rescued it from getting used by a young beginner"
I was one... my first horn when I was 8 was a Recording and I still have it.

[JohnL]

I'm thinking it might have received a really well done refinish at some point. It looks like there's some rounding on the partial serial number in the third picture. That's an area that tends to see significant corrosion/wear, so it ends up needing more buffing than most of the other parts of the horn when it's refinished.

How do the inner surfaces of the inner tubes look? I've seen horns that were beautiful on the outside but the inside of the inners looked like they had termites.

Did it come with the original case, mouthpiece, etc.?

[mooretrombone]

Very nice! They made such nice looking details.
LOL.. "rescued it from getting used by a young beginner"
I was one... my first horn when I was 8 was a Recording and I still have it.

Yes, a beautiful horn all around! It plays very well - certainly better than my first. But I hope this will end up with somebody who appreciates it for what it is (and then maybe a handful of decent trombones can end up in students’ hands in its place ).

I'm thinking it might have received a really well done refinish at some point. It looks like there's some rounding on the partial serial number in the third picture. That's an area that tends to see significant corrosion/wear, so it ends up needing more buffing than most of the other parts of the horn when it's refinished.

How do the inner surfaces of the inner tubes look? I've seen horns that were beautiful on the outside but the inside of the inners looked like they had termites.

Did it come with the original case, mouthpiece, etc.?

I was hoping you would weigh in - thanks! I’m uploading a couple more pictures of that area in case it helps to confirm. In doing so, I noticed the a tiny wear spot on the slide brace.

I tried to get a picture of an inner tube for you… tricky! It looks to be in good shape inside, but some build-up or something towards the bottom. For reference, I haven’t tried any cleaning, etc.

It did have an Olds 3 in the case (also pictured below). Unfortunately, it’s just in an SKB hardshell case… Good condition and fit, but not original.

[greenbean]

I believe it has been re-lacquered. And very nicely done!

[JohnL]

In those pictures, the numbers look pretty sharp. If it's been refinished, they had a gentle hand with the buffer.

It's really hard to get a good pic of a tube's ID, but it looks OK.

I don't generally offer opinions on value. It's such a small market (few buyers and few sellers); even smaller if you're looking at an early one in really good condition. Prices can very quite a bit depending on who is in the market at a given time. I'd suggest watching eBay for a few months to get a feel for which way the wind is blowing. Watch out for ones like this (https://www.ebay.com/itm/285126252447) that didn't actually sell.

[Posaunus]

If this trombone has been relacquered /restored, it was done very well.

I have a similarly pristine R-15 Recording (rescued by greenbean from a decades-long hibernation in a closet), but it was made in Fullerton, CA in 1968. I added a counterweight - I'd never seen the Olds original. I just played it yesterday in a small jazz ensemble - what a delight that trombone is!

The Olds 3 mouthpiece is just too small for this wonderful full-throated instrument. It is happiest with an Olds taper mouthpiece. I use a setup provided by Doug Elliott: ST 100 Rim, ST D Cup, D3* / Olds Shank. Glorious!

If you plan to sell it, then handle and play it - and maintain it - with great care so that it remains pristine. John is right that the market for these instruments is small. My guess is that you might be able to get as much as $1,000 if you are patient. But an eager buyer could pay more. In any case, this magnificent instrument deserves to be played by someone who will love it.

[hyperbolica]

Aw, that's really nice. Mine has the potential to look that good, but it's unlacquered right now. Really beautiful instrument.

[Doubler]

My guess would be "refinished" for the same reasons JohnL gave. I'd sure like to know who did the job; the bell engraving, which usually suffers the most from polishing, is magnificent!

[Doug Elliott]

Looks original to me. But if it was refinished, not everybody is heavy handed with buffing, especially if it's not needed.

[TromHanks]

Is it a friction fit trombone?

[BGuttman]

Is it a friction fit trombone?

It is NOT friction fit. There are pictures that you may not be able to see that show that.