This is another Subfamchicago Investment Quality Instrument Auction

This is one of the most physically beautiful streamlined and expressive trombones that I have seen produced by F E Olds. It is unusual  in the design, which lacks a second brace on the bell, and in the balance of the horn, which is remarkable. 


Manufactured in 1923 in Los Angeles, this horn has the slightly thicker metal throughout typical of L.A. manufactured horns.   Because this horn was lovingly taken care of, it was easy to make the adjustments that have returned it to a state that is as like new as possible.  We replaced the water key, the springs and cork and the rubber bumpers.  We also removed a few dents to the rear of the bell and the slide.  Once these corrections were made it was wonderful.  Of course it has been cleaned and polished as well as sterilized. It is very difficult to tell the difference between it in its present condition and what it must have looked like when the horn came out of production in 1923. The tuning is in the slide, and the horn is a press-fit in design.  For Olds, the lock washer horns did not come along until the 1930s.

 This horn is truly is one of the most beautiful and new looking very early Jazz horns I have ever seen. 

Jazz trombones were the heart of the early F.E. Olds line. Olds, known for master craftsmanship, was only making trombones at the time of the manufacture of this horn, and it was one of the most popular trombones ever made.  It is pitched in B-flat and is in immaculate like-new condition.  The horn has been completely gone over and is in what we believe to be its original factory specifications.  It has also been sterilized. All work is fresh, having been completed in the last 90 days.  From the rubber tip at the end of the slide, to the graceful flare of its yellow brass  bell, all has been scrutinized.  All valves, springs and moving parts are in superb working order.  Both tuning and playing slides work without hesitation.  There are no creases at the seams. It has no wear or loss of plating, not a mark on the sleeves. Not even a scratch. The brass and nickel silver ferrules and grips are 100%.

The horn is circa 1923 (bell serial#504X, slide serial #437X). During that golden age of Jazz, it was common for the musician to select the parts of the horn independently, which is why the numbers are not alike.  The slide is yellow brass, as is the bell, with nickel silver accents.  It was manufactured at the Los Angeles, California Olds plant.  The ferrules are nickel silver as are the braces, which are corinthian style.  The bell is 7" wide, and is dual bore, .485/.500.  The tuning slide crook moves effortlessly.  The slide is very fast with excellent compression and allows the player to achieve remarkable slide vibrato with simple ease. In addition, the slide is very light in weight.  The range of the horn is also remarkable. It handles both low and high tones very well and is one of the most responsive instruments we have seen.  It is an excellent horn for orchestra, symphonic band, or small combo work, and of course it is great for solo or ensemble Jazz performance.

The slides are round.  The inner tubes were re-plated in this restoration.  The slide action is very good, and in fact seem to be as fast as fluted tubed.  The outer tube falls under its own weight when held at a slight angle.  It has very good compression.  The horn has a very bright yet full sound that results in a "dark sound" normally associated with heavy bells, without the corresponding weight.  I believe the sound quality and production is somewhere between the Olds Super and the Olds Studio.

Of course the horn also has the wonderful, distinctive Olds logo and floral design on the bell. This horn was at the forefront of Jazz innovation in the twenties, and it has retained its remarkable versatility.

This is a top-notch professional instrument.  It is perfect for both the musician as well as the collector.  It has great playablity, and is also a wonderful investment.  It is particularly apt for Jazz trombonists, and those folks who are doing Jazz like things in the Pop and Rock areas of music now.  Its distinctive looks and its lighter weight are perfect for the musician who appreciates fine quality!


The horn comes with one refinished silver (sterilized) like-new and reconditioned mouthpiece which retails for about $50.  Incredibly, the horn is being auctioned with a brand-new, never used Conn black trombone case large enough for accessories as well as the trombone itself. The case comes with keys, and is one of the finest on the market and is valued around $200.

This is an exhilarating horn to play, and will walk all over most anything coming out of bone factories today, including Yamaha, Getzen, Schilke, Martin, Holton and even the Bach Stradivarius. 

I hope that you are as excited about obtaining this horn as I am in offering it.  If you care about quality, and don't want junk or somebody else's worn out instrument, then this is the horn for you.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  See our other items!  Be sure to add us to your favorites list!


Subfamchicago's Commitment to Excellence

I.  We shall auction no horn with damaged inner or outer tubes.
II.  We shall auction no horn that is missing parts.
III.  We shall auction no horn with faulty valves, springs, triggers,locks,corks or other moving parts.
IV.  We shall auction no horn with brass rot
V.  We shall auction no horn that has noticeable dents, cracks, creases, holes or otherwise damaged brass.
VI.  We shall auction no horn whose lacquer is less than 100%.
VII.  We shall auction no horn that shows poor compression or leaks.
VIII.  We shall auction no horn that would not be considered aesthetically handsome or beautiful.
IX.  We shall auction no horn that has not been made near perfect to its core, in alignment with original factory specifications.
X.  We shall auction no horn without a new or like new hard case and professional mouthpiece.