Pre-Owned F.E. Olds & Son "Recording" Professional Bb Trumpet - Fullerton, California
Crafted during the golden age of the F.E. Olds & Son workshop in Fullerton, California, this trumpet is one of the most distinctive and innovative horns ever built.
The Olds Recording is famously asymmetric and feels slightly off-balance compared to a standard modern trumpet. Olds achieved this by utilizing specialized internal acoustic tapering and varied nickel-silver accent placements, including their signature nickel-silver balusters and balance forward design elements. It gives the horn a completely unique structural silhouette and hand-feel.
The Olds Fullerton Legacy & Innovation F.E. Olds was a true pioneer of American brass manufacturing, known for obsessive mechanical precision and avant-garde acoustic engineering. The Recording model was developed to offer players an unprecedented level of dynamic focus and dark, velvety core projection. Featuring nickel-silver trim accents on the slides, a custom bell taper, and notoriously fast-acting, lightweight valve clusters, Olds horns from the Fullerton era remain legendary among vintage brass collectors and lead players alike.
Key Features & Specifications
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Fullerton, California Craftsmanship: Built during the premier era of Olds production, showcasing meticulous American hand-tooling and elite build quality.
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Distinctive Nickel-Silver Accents: Outfitted with classic nickel-silver slide trims, balusters, and bracing that provide a striking two-tone look against the warm lacquer.
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Asymmetric Balance Design: Features the classic Olds forward-balanced geometry that gives the horn its unconventional physical feel and legendary grip.
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Lacquered Brass Finish: Preserved under a clear lacquer coat highlighting the vintage body and accents.
Condition & Shop Inspection
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Cosmetics: Phenomenal Vintage Condition. This trumpet is in really good shape. It shows very little signs of use, and even the minor cosmetic marks that exist are difficult to spot. It presents as an extraordinarily well-preserved time capsule.
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Mechanics: Bench-Tested & Ready. Our in-house technicians have fully inspected and regulated the instrument. The valves are fast, the slides move fluidly, and it plays with that unmistakable vintage Olds core.
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Accessories: Comes housed in a hard "coffin" style case—a big, sturdy, heavy-duty rectangular relic of a case that offers maximum vintage protection. (Please note: Mouthpieces are not included with our pre-owned instrument sales.)
Specifications
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Brand: F.E. Olds & Son
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Model: Recording Model Bb Trumpet
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Serial Number: 65202
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Origin: Fullerton, California, USA
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Finish: Clear Lacquer with Nickel-Silver Accents
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Case: Vintage Hard "Coffin" Rectangular Case
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Condition: Pre-Owned / Exceptional Vintage Condition
The Fleming Music Commitment When you purchase a vintage professional instrument from Fleming Musical Instruments & Repair, you gain a dedicated support team. Every instrument is meticulously inspected and regulated by our on-site master technicians before it leaves our hands, backed by our 14-day return window and full 1-year warranty. Reach out to our team directly at https://flemingrepair.com/pages/contact to discuss pricing, financing, trade-ins, or the instrument's unique playing characteristics. Local to Houston? We encourage you to visit the shop and put air through the horn yourself. Keep up with our latest arrivals and local events on our social channels at https://linktr.ee/Fleming_Music.
