crowmadic

Without making popular demand, or monitary value an issue, which of these two horns would you keep if you had to get rid of one of them, and why. 1963 Holton Collegiate and a 1958 Olds Ambassador.

MFfan

I found I liked my 73 Ambassador's qualities better than my 53 Collegiate cornet, so when I had the opportunity to trade the Holton for a Getzen 80 cornet, ( actually the story is more complicated), I did so. The Getzen is a cooler horn and has a better tone, to me, than the Holton, which was sounded thinner and the design of the grip and the horn were not as pleasing to me as the Olds and the Roth. About 50's Ambassadors I personally know not, or if the 63 Holton is materially different from the 53, I know not.

Just my opinion on the horns I have or had.

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Dave Rafferty
07 Barrington Trumpet, 1972 Reynolds Medalist
55 Besson 8-10 trumpet
55 Roth by Reynolds Cornet
73 Olds Ambassador Cornet
30's Czech small bore Trumpet
Getzen 80 cornet, 33 American Standard cornet
66 Olds Ambassador Trumpet
www.kalamazooconcertband.org

A.N.A. Mendez

I think the older Holtons were better? No?

__________________
(Above) Alexanders ragtime band-circa 1960

"Baby, I'm already the coolest, and the hippist, now you want me to be on time too?" Buddy Love

"We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and our best generals to edit our newspapers." Robert E. Lee

Indian

Of the two and year instruments I would keep the Olds. The Collegiates were GREAT student horns but I think the valves on the Olds Ambassador give it the edge especially in the years you specify. However I have a sixties vintage Holton made in France that I would keep over the Olds. Just depends on the models, years, etc. but most importantly the individual. I am sure others will feel differently.

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Rob,
King Liberty SilverTone (3)
King Liberty (7) Super 20 (2)
Conn Vocabell 40A - Conn 80A (6) - Conn 81A (1) - 22B - 4B Symphony
Conn 16B (Coprion Bell)
Holton French LeBlanc (1) - Al Hirt 550
Olds Studio (1) - Special (1)

A.N.A. Mendez

What were the better or best years for the Holtons? What models were the better ones?

__________________
(Above) Alexanders ragtime band-circa 1960

"Baby, I'm already the coolest, and the hippist, now you want me to be on time too?" Buddy Love

"We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and our best generals to edit our newspapers." Robert E. Lee

Indian

This is a personal preference so everyone probably has thier own ideas. Some Holton models I like are the early Llewellyn horns, very nice with a unique main tuning lock and adjuster. The Revelation 45, Revelation 48 and Revelation 51 were also nice, I like the 48 better. The one I have has excellent silver plating. It was an eBay find for $70.00. They made a Harry James version that I have never seen but I have heard that they were a large bore screamer. These are some personal favorites. It would be interesting to see what others prefer.

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Rob,
King Liberty SilverTone (3)
King Liberty (7) Super 20 (2)
Conn Vocabell 40A - Conn 80A (6) - Conn 81A (1) - 22B - 4B Symphony
Conn 16B (Coprion Bell)
Holton French LeBlanc (1) - Al Hirt 550
Olds Studio (1) - Special (1)

79connvictor

I have been keeping my eyes open for a Vintage Olds myself so I would lean towards the Olds. Though, as far as comparing it to a Holton I think you are in the best position to determine that! You have them both side by side. Of the ones you have, why don't you tell us what you like and don't like about each one?

oldlou

Because I have,currently, two Collegiates and an Olds Ambassador, as well as an Olds Special,all cornets, I can state that the Olds horns have far superior valves and better tone,no matter the mouthpiece choice. The Olds horns make music for me, while I fight to get any form of music from the Holtons. I am not calling the Holton cornets bad horns, just not 'quite' as good as the stuff from California.

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Couturier trumpet
York Master Model trumpet
York Elite trumpet
York Airflow cornet
King super 20 Master Model cornet
King Liberty trumpet
Reynolds Professional cornet
Bohm & Meinl professional trumpet
Besson 10-10 trumpet with Holton M.F. bell
Olds Special cornet Los Angeles
B&H Sovereign cornet
G.R.Band Instr. cornet
Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Getzen Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Many others no room to list