This 1960 "Olds Recording" trumpet is the top of the line at Olds at the time it was made. It is an example of the exceptional quality of the musical instruments that came out of the Olds factory during the Zig Kanstul era. Since the 1930s and into the early 1970s, Olds produced the finest professional instruments used by many of the legends in the film industry on the west coast. The Olds Recording, was designed by the great Olds & Sons designer, Harold "Pappy" Mitchell and was the choice of many, including the great trumpeter, Uan Rasey. This horn is amazing. There are many innovative features put into the design of this horn.

1) The bell and the leadpipe are made of a special copper alloy known as "Re-O-Loy" providing "extra tonal color and interest,"

2) The "balanced" placement of the valve cluster is in the middle of the horn so the weight is balanced front to back.

3) The offset 2nd valve is ergonomic to the length of the middle finger,

4) The nickel-silver outer slide tubes eliminates the corrosion that occurs when two copper tubes are in contact. The leadpipe material also prevents corrosion (red-rot) that typically occurs in older yellow brass leadpipes. These are the reasons why we can offer a vintage 53 year old horn that is in factory play-ability condition.

5) a 3rd valve slide trigger

6) Marvelously hand-engraved by the great Leonard Garcia. Every horn is unique and every detail has been carefully preserved.

7) Pearl inlays on the valve slide nubs.

Most importantly is the way this horn plays. It is a free-blowing trumpet throughout the full range of the instrument with outstanding response and a tone that is rich with overtones. The intonation is impeccable and "tension free." Anyone that has played an Olds Recording, made in this era, will identify with this description of play-ability.

This horn is refinished by hand intentionally leaving some imperfections rather than removing material to make it look "new." These imperfections have no impact on the playing performance of the horn. The tri-color beauty is enhanced by a multi-stage process which is brushed and finished with a thin coat of gold epoxy lacquer on the brass and and a thin coat of clear epoxy lacquer on the Re-O-Loy and the nickel-silver components.