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I bought an Olds marching trombone from a reputable seller a few months ago. It plays quite well and has good enough intonation to play with others.
However, it also arrived with a bad 1st valve, stuck 2nd slide, and waytoolong 3rd slide (13 barely tunes). The horn is straight overall and has spotty lacquer. I don't care one way or the other about the lacquer, but do about the other issues.

Is it worth it to the the 1st valve fixed (no idea whats wrong), get the 2nd slide freed, and get the 3rd slide cut down (would require moving braces), and probably get the 1st slide cut down (in tune all the way in) and get a ring put on the slide (like a regular trumpet) or should I just ditch it and get a nicer one or a Kanstul? That last issue is just my preference and not a problem of the horn. FWIW, this design is one of the most comfortable marching trombone I've played and I do like the sound. I am probably looking at least the cost of the horn to make it playable though...

the elephant wrote:I would definitely fix it, Bob. You have been scrabbling for a nice bass trumpet and you followed some excellent advice and looked for basically the same thing with a different name for a lot less money. Most bass trumpets fairly suck, even Bach. This is, with work, easily the equal to one of those. Please post photos when it is done, sir.

Actually, my Jin Bao rotary bass trumpet played pretty well but I couldn't used to the side thing. And my contratrumpet was something else all together.

This is a -bit- heavier than what I might want if I were -only- looking for a bass trumpet, but the model plays well enough that I can deal with it. Also, I don't exactly have the utility chair for the CSO. Although, with this, a euph, a nice contrabone, possibly a cimbasso on the way,...

My issue is not the extra mods but fixing what shouldn't have to be fixed (bad valve, stck 2nd slide, way too long 3rd,...). I don't mind throwing some money at a horn for slide flips and such; I am somewhat reluctant to double what I spent (possibly) to get it playable....



Tangent- The King played fine for me but the bugle wrap is uncomfortable for my left hand. RE the King marching baritone, I actually found the Yamaha marching baritone and marching euphonium to be much, much better than the Kings. The 2280 still rocks though (if only for a front valve version!).

I've always favored the Olds version over the King and others - I would fix it, definitely. Mine was ergonomically very good but I found the King marching baritone suited my needs nearly as well and was more readily adaptable for a 4th valve.

Bob Kolada wrote:I bought an Olds marching trombone from a reputable seller a few months ago. It plays quite well and has good enough intonation to play with others.
However, it also arrived with a bad 1st valve, stuck 2nd slide, and waytoolong 3rd slide (13 barely tunes). The horn is straight overall and has spotty lacquer. I don't care one way or the other about the lacquer, but do about the other issues.....

The stuck slides and the 3rd slide needing a 'cut' are not expensive items.

Regarding the 1st piston.... have you determined that it's actually the piston or perhaps a matter of distorted valve casing ports? Either way... it can probably be fixed. Even if it means a trip to Anderson to have the one piston refit.

Fix it. Send it to me. I will fix it for you.

I actually have a Flugabone with hard case in decent condition which I could be persuaded to part with.

Art Hovey wrote:I actually have a Flugabone with hard case in decent condition which I could be persuaded to part with.

I got all excited for a minute!

And then I realised that you live in the US so shipping would be prohibitive to say the least...