OLDS CORNET SERIAL NUMBERS PLUS
OLDS CORNET SERIAL NUMBERS PROFESSIONAL

The Recording model trumpet and cornet were probably designed shortly before the war halted production. There were also some french horns made in the late 1930s, although they didn't appear in the catalogues at that time. This is likely the first production bass trombone with two valve levers. The Super bass trombone could be had with two valves, both actuated by levers. This was the standard finish for the Military line. All but the Super models could be ordered with a distinctive hammered finish on the bell. Other models introduced in the 1930s include the Special, Military, Symphony and French models. The Super Olds line of trombones, trumpets and cornets was introduced in about 1932 and soon became legendary. His new trumpets were not offered for sale until after his death. He died suddenly and unexpectedly, suffering a heart attack, and was buried at sea. City of Los Angeles (later commissioned, USS George F. was traveling with his wife and other prominent Californians on the S.S. Also, during these years, they were working on trumpet design, finally tooling up for its production by 1928. was most likely responsible for using the slogan: 'It's a Bear', and otherwise modernizing the image of the company and its products. It was about 1924 that Olds started making mouthpieces with ivory rim and cup and the trademark 'Golden Bear' playing the trombone was first engraved on the bells. With R.B.'s enthusiasm, Olds published their first catalogue in 1925 and introduced new models shortly after. September 11, 1899) came to work with his father in 1920, having served in the U.S. These new trombones apparently met with success quickly, and with the help of Earl Strickler and Earl Williams, Olds expanded production to about 200 a year and moved into a large facility by the early 1920s. Most Olds trombones were made to order at this time. Model designations were Solo, Small Medium, Medium, Large Medium, Large and Symphony, which did not indicate a particular bore and bell combination, but a relative size. From the earliest years, he was offering a variety of bore sizes (.485' and dual bores from. Implementing new ideas patented in 1912 (some of these are incorporated in trombones today), Olds started producing quality trombones on a small scale. It was probably about this time that he first offered his new trombones for sale. This early work was done in a small workshop behind his house, which was just south of downtown Los Angeles. In 1901, he was a machinist with the Locomobile Company of the Pacific, branching out from bicycles to automobiles.Īll along experimenting with trombone design, he was repairing band instruments full-time by 1910. 1886 also marked the arrival in Los Angeles of F.E.'s future bride, Helen Daisy Birdsall.

Hazard, establishing the Los Angeles Tool Works by 1887. By 1886, he had established the first electroplating shop in Southern California, doing silver plating with H. An amateur trombone player and entrepreneur, he first set up a shop to build bicycles, which was the only one in Los Angeles at the time. In 1885, he moved to Los Angeles, California. Conn and learned the brass instrument making business. went to Elkhart, Indiana to work for C.G.

While a child his family moved to Toledo, Ohio. He was named for the Civil War hero Frank Ellsworth of the Ellsworth Zouaves.

Olds and Sons, based in Mountainside, New Jersey.įrank Ellsworth (F.E.) Olds was born in Medina, New York in 1861. Reynolds in 1964) have since been bought and revived in 1983 by a new company under the name F.E. The Olds and Reynolds names (Olds merged with F.A.

OLDS CORNET SERIAL NUMBERS PLUS

That plus competition from other companies and cutbacks in school music budgets led to the firm going out of business in 1979. Construction quality declined as production quotas were emphasized.

OLDS CORNET SERIAL NUMBERS PROFESSIONAL

The company made brass instruments, especially trombones, cornets, and trumpets.īy the late 1960s or early 1970s, although still producing some professional level instruments, the company had become better known for mass-produced student instruments. Olds was a manufacturer of musical instruments founded by Frank Ellsworth (F.E.) Olds in Los Angeles, California in the early 1900s. 1927, with the trademark 'Golden Bear' and date of the 1912 patent.į.

Olds cornet serial numbers