Pre-Owned Vintage F.E. Olds & Son "Recording" Bb Trumpet - Fullerton, CA
We have a true piece of American jazz history in the shop today. The F.E. Olds "Recording" is a legendary vintage trumpet, heavily favored by mid-century jazz greats (including the legendary Lee Morgan) for its incredibly colorful, vibrant core sound and unique mechanical design.
Based on the serial number (638471), this Recording was built in the late 1960s at the famous Olds factory in Fullerton, California. It features the signature Olds balanced layout and custom trigger mechanics. If you are a vintage horn enthusiast, a jazz soloist, or a commercial player looking for a trumpet with massive character and a warm, fat tone, this is an incredibly fun horn to play.
Key Features
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Balanced Valve Design: The valve block is intentionally shifted forward (closer to the bell). This shifts the center of gravity directly over the player's hands, resulting in a perfectly balanced trumpet that drastically reduces fatigue on long gigs.
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Olds 3rd Valve Trigger: Instead of a traditional slide ring, this horn features the unique, spring-loaded Olds trigger mechanism for smooth and effortless intonation adjustments.
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Legendary Olds Valves: Olds was renowned for having some of the best valve action in the world during this era, utilizing a unique dual-point valve guide system.
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Fullerton Build: Features the highly desirable "Made by F.E. Olds & Son - Fullerton Calif" bell engraving.
Condition & Shop Inspection
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Cosmetics: Heavy Player's Condition. We want to be entirely transparent: this horn has been played heavily and shows significant finish wear. Approximately 40-50% of the original lacquer and plating has worn away, leaving behind a raw brass patina. There are some minor scratches consistent with its age, but it has a fantastic, unapologetic vintage aesthetic. It is structurally sound and ready to work.
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Mechanics: Bench-Tested & Ready. Our in-house repair team has gone through this trumpet to ensure it functions as it should. The valves are quick, the compression is solid for its age, and the 3rd valve trigger mechanism works smoothly.
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Accessories: Otiginal case
Specifications
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Brand: F.E. Olds & Son
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Model: Recording
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Serial Number: 638471 (c. Late 1960s)
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Key: Bb
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Era: Fullerton, CA
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Finish: Heavy Wear / Raw Brass Patina
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Condition: Pre-Owned / Player's Condition
The Fleming Music Commitment When you purchase a professional instrument from Fleming Musical Instruments & Repair, you aren't just buying a horn—you are gaining a dedicated support team. Every instrument is meticulously inspected and regulated by our on-site master technicians before it ever leaves our hands. We back our inventory with a 14-day return window and a full 1-year warranty, so you can invest in your sound with absolute confidence.
Have questions about financing, need to discuss a potential trade-in, or want to hear how this horn sounds? Reach out to our team directly: https://flemingrepair.com/pages/contact.
Local to Houston? We always encourage you to visit the shop and put air through the horn yourself! Keep up with our latest arrivals, repair videos, and local events on our social channels: https://linktr.ee/Fleming_Music. Thank you for supporting independent music retail!
