shinytrumpetgirl

Hi i need help. i was wondering if i should buy a vintage trumpet or not for about 350. its a 1960s H.N. White King Liberty Trumpet

A.N.A. Mendez

I would say for that much you could get an Olds special or super which in my opinion would be an easier/better player for you.

oldlou

As the owner/player of several Olds trumpets/cornets,such as L.A. made Ambassador,Special,Super,Studio and some Fullerton horns, along with four King Liberty and Silvertone trumpets, I cant agree with 'some of' your advice. An early,( L.A. made ) Super 'might' be a better horn, as well as the Studio of that same era, BUT, the 1960's Liberty's were pretty darn fine and had a brilliance of tone that I have found nearly impossible to equal. As our mutual friend Scooter1 will attest, I am a fan of bright sounding trumpets and dark sounding cornets. Like Scooter1 I also have a collection of Olds and H.N.White horns and enjoy them all.


OLDLOU>>

Scooter01

Try before you buy as with any horn purchase. A 1960's vintage King Liberty #2B would be a very nice all around horn. I have a couple of older Kings: c.1935 Liberty #2, c.1963 King Super 20 Symphony SilverSonic; And two nice Olds: c.1953 Studio Cornet, c.1953 Super. All four play very differently from each other. It really depends on your sound concept and what you are trying to achieve. I personally appreciate the build quality, affordable (all four together cost less than $1500) and they are all pro horns. I use them in concert band jazz band and for solo and small combo. If I had to recommend one of the Liberty's it would be the 2B. It's an outstanding lead horn, very flexible and solid sounding instrument. For small combo I like to use the Liberty #2, in concert band I'll use the Olds Super or Studio Cornet and I use the Super 20 Symphony for concert band or jazz band.

WARNING! Once you start on this path it's hard if not impossible to stop.

OdieLopez3

Yeah I agree when you play a horn or try out a horn it is to see what best suits you. Whatever it is that makes you comfortable playing go with that dont buy a horn just because someone you know owns one or a celebrity plays on one. It all comes down to you and you alone whatever it is that you're looking for whether its lead playing in a big band, solo literature, orchestral playing or maybe mariachi playing you alone can decide. Its a hard process to find that perfect horn but eventually you will and it'll all come down hill from there. Unless you dont take care of it then thats a different story.