iainmcl

Hi all,
I have the opportunity to buy an Olds Ambassador (1957) for NZ$300 (that's about US$225). I owned one for a short time years ago but found it wasn't too hot in the intonation dept. I know now that it was probably more the player than the horn.
Would this be an ok buy?
I'm thinking of adding it to my collection and maybe one day get it modified somewhere

Also, on a side-note, I'm after a Flugel to replace my ailing old Courtois. Maybe a Yamaha or something similar. Second-hand for around US$500 I could afford right now. Postage to New Zealand is pretty full-on though so I might just have to wait until something turns up here that isn't made of tin-foil or a $200 rip-off from somewhere in asia

Cheers,
Iain

note360

I love flugel discussions!!! I don't have one, but one day I will. Not any time soon though as I just bought a Ambassador cornet.

Any way as for flugels I hear the Getzens are pretty good and the Yamahas too. Good luck finding the flugel.

As for 250 for a ambassador... You probably can find a cheeper one elsewhere.

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)

Brass crusader

I'd agree.... an older Los Angeles Ambasssdor could be yours for sub $200(U.S) on ebay.
As far as flugels go, in that price range, a Yamaha 2310 flugel might be something to look into. Yamahas are fantastic horns, and you could probably get a 2310 used for around $500 in good shape. A store near me sells them brand new for $649.
My first flugel experience was on a loaner 2310. I now play an older 631, the true pro grade yamaha. There are several differences in the setup and bore. The 2310 is generally regarded as a "student" flugel, but works quite well.
Be sure to check out Yamaha's website, they have several different models or lines of flugels. Also, keep asking here, there are many great and knowledgeble people here.
Ebay is a great place to look for flugels, although the prices occasionally seem a bit steep. In terms of variety and quantity of horns, its all there.
Good luck with both your searches, and let us know how they play out!

__________________
~Brass Crusader

Yamaha Xeno Custom w/ reverse leadpipe
1947 Olds Super Recording trumpet
1947 Olds Special trumpet
1952 Olds Ambassador cornet
1967 Olds Special cornet
1970's Yamaha 631 Flugel w/ Rose brass bell
1970's Conn 17b Coprion director
Other assorted Conns and Olds
Yamaha and Bach Mouthpieces
1929 Martin Handcraft "The New Master"
1935 Conn 22B NY Symphony Special tpt
'83 Callet New York Super Large Bore trpt.
'35 Conn 32H trombone

davereit

Here's a related question. Suppose a new-to-trumpets person is looking for an inexpensive cornet that sounds REALLY "dark and cornety" (as opposed to "bright and trumpety") what kind of setup would your recommend?

Thanks,
Dave

__________________
----------------
Dave Reitmeyer, Director
The Route 55 Jazz Orchestra
www.55jazz.com
-----------------
MTPA, IAJE, Raleigh Piano Teachers Assn.

Brass crusader

Dave,
It would depend totally on your budget. For around $100, I'd go with an L.A Olds cornet. This would be an ambassador model. For a bit more, if you could find an L.A. Special cornet, spend the extra cash.
I've also got a late '60's Special, that has the Rey-o-loy(rose brass) bell section. That's a great horn.
I also hear great things about the Conn Coprion Director Cornets. I've got a bunch of Director trumpets, and have owned the Coprion-belled Director model trumpet. A really nice, dark tone. This can mostly be attributed to the coprion(copper) bells.

As far as mouthpieces go, I play a Bach 7bw in my Special. The Ambassadors from L.A have large-shank recievers, thus limiting me to the original Olds#3 mouthpiece. You can, however, use a standard flugel mouthpiece in these horns, but you get a very mellow tone as a result. I use the Ambassador as my more jazz cornet, and play the Special for everything else. It's a terrific all-around horn.
Good luck

__________________
~Brass Crusader

Yamaha Xeno Custom w/ reverse leadpipe
1947 Olds Super Recording trumpet
1947 Olds Special trumpet
1952 Olds Ambassador cornet
1967 Olds Special cornet
1970's Yamaha 631 Flugel w/ Rose brass bell
1970's Conn 17b Coprion director
Other assorted Conns and Olds
Yamaha and Bach Mouthpieces
1929 Martin Handcraft "The New Master"
1935 Conn 22B NY Symphony Special tpt
'83 Callet New York Super Large Bore trpt.
'35 Conn 32H trombone

note360

I wish a flugel was in my budget. I am debatign whethere to take my L.A and use it as a poor mans flugel, or to get the recierver replaced and swapped out for a regular receiver for a cornetty ness.

I want it for jazz mainly... Improv

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)

Brass crusader

I'd reccomend keeping the reciever the way it is now. You will never get a true flugel tone out of it, but it's a bit different/unique when you do play a flugel mpc. It's nice and mellow, real dark and smooth. If worst comes to worst, and you just want a cornet, you could either get the reciever swapped out, or get a mouthpiece's shank modified. There are a number of techs who do this work, or so I've heard.

cheers

__________________
~Brass Crusader

Yamaha Xeno Custom w/ reverse leadpipe
1947 Olds Super Recording trumpet
1947 Olds Special trumpet
1952 Olds Ambassador cornet
1967 Olds Special cornet
1970's Yamaha 631 Flugel w/ Rose brass bell
1970's Conn 17b Coprion director
Other assorted Conns and Olds
Yamaha and Bach Mouthpieces
1929 Martin Handcraft "The New Master"
1935 Conn 22B NY Symphony Special tpt
'83 Callet New York Super Large Bore trpt.
'35 Conn 32H trombone

note360

sorry to steal your topic mate, for one question.

Return to his question ignore mine.

I hear good things abotu the Getzens too as far as flugels go. Not the best, but Getzen always makes solid horns. YOu probably can find a used one on the cheap somewhere.

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)