Olds O-98

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:34 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLDS-SON-TUBA-NO-BE ... dZViewItem

I have seen references here and there ( http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds66/price.htm ) to an Olds O-98 detachable bell tuba, but can't find any pics online of this instrument with the recording bell attached. Looks to be a 4/4 size horn similar to a King 2340. Too bad this one has no bell.

Eric "Olds fan" L.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:23 pm

the elephant wrote:Too much medication. Not enough sunlight.

No DNA, I hope.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:59 pm

the elephant wrote:I'm thinking about replacing it all with red Jello.

Even red 'cellos are good with Jello!

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:10 pm

bloke wrote: The "O-99" designation referred to BOTH the SMALLER 3-valve AND 4-valve Olds tubas (16" NON-detachable bell / c. .640"...?? bore). I think (??) the 4-valve version carried some designation like (probably not exactly, but) O-99-4...again I THINK...

Correctamundo: http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds73/olds73price2.htm I own an O-99 three valve (thanks TubaTinker), and I know someone who owns a four valve. They are 3/4 (maybe 7/8 ) sized horns.

bloke wrote: The O-98 - otoh - is BIGGER (4/4 size...more like a Reynolds "Contempora" or a King 2340 or 2341).

What I thought based on the photo...

There is a Reynolds Contempora BBb (with an UP bell!) at a local music store here in Tucson. It is definitely on the larger side of 4/4, 19-20" bell, and it is a tall horn. Kinda like an American piston take-off on a Kaiser tuba. It is in fair shape, but has potential... It is just too similar to my King to justify buying it, at this point at least.

Eric

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:12 am

The larger Olds might have also found its way into the Bach line, along with its smaller sibling. From vague recollection of their brochure in the mid to late 80's.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:49 am

I've always been a little confused about the models/naming of the Olds and Reynolds tubas. I have a Reynolds 'Contempora' four-piston horn now that I am in the process of putting back together. The bore is .657" and the bell is 16". Even though there is no easily understood standard, I would have to regard this horn as a 3/4 or 7/8 tuba. The upright bell is made in two pieces with a band that attaches the flare to the stack. The bell is engraved 'R' with 'Contempora' below that followed by 'Abeline, Texas'. It's no secret that the Texas horns are less respected that the ones made at Fullerton, CA. Evidently the 'Contempora' logo was used on a wide variety of tubas. Does anyone know of a source for informaiton?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:22 pm

http://contemporacorner.com/low_tuba.html

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:35 pm

windshieldbug wrote:http://contemporacorner.com/low_tuba.html

Thanks! I had not stumbled across that website. It looks like what I have is a TB-09... the four-piston version of the one pictured.

Interesting patch on the bell!

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:40 pm

Looks a heckuva lot like a Conn 11J, even down to the somewhat clunky two-piece bell. I understand there was some sharing of parts and assembly between Olds/Reynolds and Conn for a time on the smaller XJ horns. I guess Abilene wasn't that big of a town back then.

Eric

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:32 pm

Ah, thanks Joe. Any comments on the sharing of design/assembly between Olds/Reynolds and Conn on these particular horns?

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:55 pm

bloke wrote:The Olds/Reynolds 16" bell actually wasn't two-piece.

Rather, the Reynolds version (TB-10) had a thin band of brass (decoration...??) soldered around the bell where the bell throat began to enter the bell flare.

The Olds version (O-99) did not have this brass ring feature.

I took at look at the Reynolds I have here in the shop. It has that ring you describe but I thought it was there to join the stack to the flare. Close inspection indicates that there does not seem to be a solder joint. I can't imagine the industry adding a part simply for 'pretty'. They must have had a problem with the resistance welding bond between the two parts and added the ring to cover up a 'nasty'.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:34 pm

bloke wrote:It appears to me as though Olds made Conn's tubas around the same exact time that Yamaha made Conn's trumpets (P-XXXXX series trumpets).

I would guess (??) that during that time, Conn was in their relocation mode away from Elkhart, Indiana.

Probably right. Another interesting thing is that many of the Reynolds/Olds/Conn bells shared the same or very similar characteristics. I haven't made very good notes but I seen to recall putting Olds bells on Conn tubas and vise-versa.... especially the pre-1987 12J & 15J Conns. I think UMI screwed up big time when the dumped the Conn 12J/15J in favor of the King 1140. Yuck!

Dave Hayami · Post by **Dave Hayami** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:49 am

Hi,
I have to agree with Joe. My Conn 2J (4 valve CC), Old's 099-1(3 valve BBb) and Reynolds TB-09 (4 valve BBb) all share the same valves, & slides.
I am guessing that the Conn 4J (4 valve BBb) would be the same.
My Reynolds does not have the "trim" ring around the bell, it looks identical to the Olds bell.
The Conn bell is wider and has a bigger "flare".
Dave "Picture posting challenged" Hayami
Hey Dan, any pics of the Reynolds that you are working on?

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:57 pm

Dave Hayami wrote: Hey Dan, any pics of the Reynolds that you are working on?

Sure! Here....

Dave Hayami · Post by **Dave Hayami** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:19 pm

Thanks Dan.
Dave