Ian000450

I'm looking to switch from a cornet to trumpet. I went to my local band store and tried a few. My favorite was the Getzen 3050, but being a student, the price was too steep. I tried some of their lower priced ones and thought they were too pinched sounding in the upper register and blurty in the lower(G above and below the staff). Then the salesman brought out a Eastman ETR-520 and I thought it was great. It was definitely better than the lower quality Getzen, though it wasn't quite as good as then Custom. The price was amazing, only $900. I read about these and they were all good. I just wanted a last opinion. I also wanted to know if this would be good for switching from cornet to trumpet. Thanks!!

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Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

B15M

If it plays well for you then it's the right one. I don't know about re-sale. You might not get a lot of money back if it doesn't work for you. I played one and thought it was OK.

If it were me I would get a used Bach for around the same money.

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vntgbrslvr

Check out one of the discussions on Eastman Trumpets Here. (Andreas Eastman Trumpets)

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Pan America Pea Shooter
Conn Connquest
47 King Liberty Trumpet
Bach Stratavarious (everyday horn)
Yamaha TR-639 Rose bell
37 buescher Aristrocrat "custom built" Cornet
Olds Studio (nickel plate)
57 conn 12A Coprion
Holton Collegiate Cornet
Conn Victor Cornet
Conn 1914 Perfected wonder (C, B, A flat)
Conn 1912 perfected wonder (C, B flat)
Buescher 1903 Epoch Cornet
57 Olds Special Cornet
Olds Ambassador Trumpet
1935 Mahillon Flugel
Reynolds marching F

Ian000450

Hearing such good reviews I wondered, what about the Olds trumpets? I found some great looking ones on Ebay and my only question is, Is it a bad idea to buy without being able to try them out? I haven't heard anything bad about them, but if you have had any bad problems with them, please tell me.
Play on!

__________________
Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

ComeBackKid

I have some of all the models you mentioned, plus some others. The Eastman trumpets are great. I have two and they both play wonderfully and and are well-made. At the same time, it is very difficult to find a bad Olds on ebay (or anywhere). They were built like tanks and can take a lickin' and keep on playin' (to murder a cliche'). If you look carefully at the Ebay listing and ensure that the photos show enough of the surface to detect any bad dents or bends, you should be OK. The Supers are fantastic players as are the Specials.

But, back to your original question - what is a good trumpet to pick up to transition from a cornet? As the others have said, if it plays good for you, that's about all you can ask for. Kings, Conns, Getzens, Holtons, Selmers - all are good candidates. Just find one you like and go with it - then another, and another... Then you can join the 'shiny brass object' lovers club like the rest of us.

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Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

Ian000450

When it comes to Olds, is it better to go to the older one with more wear, or the "newer"(still vintage) one with less wear?

__________________
Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

missmybaby

Comeback Kid is your man there, but I believe most would go older, preferably LA. I picked up a like-new 1965 Olds Special Cornet (Fullerton). It's a step-up horn, according to Olds, but it is a really nice player. I went the opposite way as you, though. I went from trumpet to cornet. You can probably get a Super Olds for your budget and possibly have change left over.

ComeBackKid

The answer to that depends on the specific model. For example, the Special was the longest-running model (by name) that Olds had, starting in 1936 and going to the end (in 1979). But, it was also the most changed model. The originals were all-brass but when they moved to Fullerton, they added a nickel bell pipe with a copper-brass flare and also nickel valve balusters, and other highlights. Some were completly nickel-silver plated. Then the Studio model came along and they made it the reverse of the Special (brass bellpipe with nickel flare). So, with the Special and/or Studio, the later ones have a lot more dramatic sound qualities. But, all of the Specials had the valve block moved forward relative to the Ambassador for better balance.

The Supers all play great from beginning to end. The "tone ring"changed during WWII due to metal shortages but that didn't hurt the sound at all. If you are looking for a player more than a collector's item, the lower-time units will be better (less valve wear and fewer dings, etc). I don't have a Recording or Mendez (still working on that) so I don't know if there is any difference with the later models but I really doubt it.

So, my bottom line is to suggest that you look for the one in the best overall condition that you can afford regardless of year. If you decide to start a collection, you can look for the more collectible items later on.

But, as I said, earlier, if you are in a hurry and no really nice Olds models show up, the Eastman units are great and they are available.

So, have fun with your search.

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Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

Ian000450

Thanks all!

__________________
Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

The Dutch Guy

why not look for second hand trumpets?
you can find pro models that cost 3000 new for half the price used, in very good condition. (Even less if there is some silver/laquer damage or some dents. Besides that damage, the horn might play just as good as a new one. It just costs a lot less)

I got my Bach Stradivarius second hand. I got a 9 year old silver + gold plated Bach that still looks as new, and paid around 45% of the new price for a regular Strad right now. So it's definitely worth it!

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my trumpets:
Bach Stradivarius Model 198
Yamaha 8335 Xeno