Limited budget plus repair skills=what horn?

[cheburashka]

Yep, that's one tall bell. About the same length as a sousaphone bell, only straight. Why if you were to put it on a sousaphone you'd get. . .

Awwww. Don't tell me somebody's going to buy this fine old horn just to create another Helicabomination. I've seen Olds upright bells used for this before.

I plan to bid, and to bid high. Higher than my previously-stated limit. Lots higher. Just so's I don't get into a bidding war with anyone who has a tendency to buy things like this just for the bell, I imagine a hostage trade could be worked out. I'd be mighty happy with it as a bell-front horn too.

[Donn]

Well, I don't want to talk about auctions that are under way, but you sure have different tastes in these matters. Patience will be rewarded. Who knows, something truly worth working on could show up tomorrow. Like this old whale of a helicon, maybe Russian? just ended a couple days ago -- http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Helicon-TUB ... dZViewItem

[cheburashka]

In fact, I was intrigued enough to bid on it. However, at $150 shipping, I didn't want to go too high. Plus it's a complete monster. I'm certain I don't have enough wind yet to fill that thing.

Yeah, I know, I'm all over the map on horns. I remember back in High School when I first discovered girls. I knew exactly what I wanted, but I couldn't have that. However, I knew that I could learn a lot from virtually anyone who was willing to let me--uh--blow into her and play with her valves--if you know what I mean.

Yes, I wasted a lot of money, and I discovered that there were a lot of nasty "instruments" out there that didn't respond no matter how good my technique, but I sure had fun.


Isn't midlife crisis interesting??

[ThomasDodd]

3/4. I forget the bore size, something like .670. Bach Mercedes is the same thing, or at least the direct descendent.

I think it's 0.651--just a smidge smaller than the York 0.655. A very nice playing horn for a 3/4 IMOHO.

Every place I've seen it published, it's 0.656. I remember measuring the valve slilde I.D. as matching.

The Bach Mercedes is the same horn. They bough the tooling at some point, after Olds closed shop.

I've always seen it called 7/8 size, a little bigger than a 3/4, but not quite 4/4. I would only trade mine for a 4 valve verson (O-991?). Small, light, good intonation, versitile horn.

[Dan Schultz]

I think the Olds 0-99 is a great little horn. I don't currently have one but there have been several come throught the shop in the last year or so. About the only problem I see with them is that parts are in short supply. Last time I checked, there were no pistons available any more.

As far as the King 1140 is concerned... I don't like 'em. The bracing seems quite flimsy. Of course, most of the Kings I see have had the living hell beat out of them by school kids. I'll take the Olds 0-99 over the King 1140 in the same condition any day.