My son started 6^th grade band intending to become a percussionist. The band director requires every new student to play a wind instrument and then has percussion tryouts in January. My son picked the trumpet because he thought he would play Dad’s old Couesnon from college days. Wrong. He started on a rental and really enjoys it. He has decided to stick with the trumpet and that’s fine with me. I looked at the rental contract and if I fulfilled the rent-to-own terms I would pay over $700 for a used Holton student horn.

I bought an Ambassador from Fred at Quality Brass website He picked out a horn from his inventory while we were talking on the phone and checked it out before he shipped it. One of the leadpipe solder joints came loose during shipping and he took care of it. The horn was as he described and he was a pleasure to deal with during the whole transaction. Thanks, Fred!

I bought Ambassador #533XXX. It was in good functional condition. It played easier and slotted better than the rental. It has King finger buttons, but that certainly won't effect how it plays. The finish was in bad shape and was missing >40% of the lacquer. I picked up Rust-O-Leum Aircraft Remover at Wal-Mart and it made short work of the remaining lacquer. We hit the rough areas with rubbing compound and finished everywhere with polishing compound and Maas.

My son has decided he enjoys playing his horn much more than polishing it. I can’t say as I disagree with him! He has decided to polish the bell and bell tube and let the rest of the horn go native. It’s his horn and I think it will look cool. Attached are some pictures. And yes, for some reason a previous owner carved the number 6 into the bell.

I owe a round of thanks to you guys on TrumpetMaster. I would never have thought a 45 year old horn was a smart buy. The threads on stripping/polishing were easy to follow and we have had no problems. This is a great website. If you need a horn, call Fred.

The horn looks in great shape. You ddid a good job at conditioning the horn as well. The Ambassador was my first horn and I really enjoyed and progressed rapidly as a result of this horn. I decided to reward it for it's kindness, and sent it off a couple of weeks ago to have it refurbished by a professional - Gold beading the main horn body, and laquering the slides, valve caps and inner side of the bell.

Nice choice and it had to be better than any of the rentals!

I just polish (with MAAS) the inside of my bell flare on gig days and also the nickel bits on the tuning slides... the rest is raw brass.
There is a nice cone shaped foam buff wheel at the autoparts store that attaches to a handheld drill that works great on the inside of the bell flare.

Well done, Sir VladTheImpaler. Your son is fortunate to have you as a father. Someone should have smacked the six scratcher!

Just the story any trumpet player should read at bedtime. Another worthy Olds Ambassador finds a professional, loving home. Think I'll turn off the computer, go hug my raw brass Ambassador, and sleep in peace. Good night to you all...

Your Ambassador once sat on a school music room shelf. The number six was scratched into the bell out of frustration by a young teacher who was at his/her wits end with kids switching the intruments around into different cases. If there are, say 90 instruments in the storage room this is much faster than using serial # lists. Doesn't make the 6 any more paletable, but that's how it got there. It's journey to Fred's shop is probably an interesting story too. A good repair man could buff it almost completely invisible without hurting it as the brass on these old Ambassadors is pretty thick.

Originally Posted by Jackson Arch

...Someone should have smacked the six scratcher! ...

I don't know! I think it gives the horn six appeal!

Originally Posted by Jackson Arch

...Think I'll turn off the computer, go hug my raw brass Ambassador...

Speaking of six appeal, get a room!

Already have a room, man! That baby sleeps atop the cedar chest at the foot of our bed.

Originally Posted by Jackson Arch

Already have a room, man! That baby sleeps atop the cedar chest at the foot of our bed.

OK, now I will sleep so much better tonight after clearing that up.