Assorted discoveries, facts, & theories relating to trumpets and cornets made by F. E. Olds & Son from 1929 to 1979

We have added some new content and reorganized a few things, but we have also attempted to preserve the information from the original Olds Central website. See About for the history and recent changes to this website. We welcome any comments or suggestions. If you have questions, comments or content you’d like to provide, please contact us.

Recent additions:

7/2/2026 New article:

F.E. Olds and Son Cornets of the Los Angeles Era

This new article is an exciting, detailed analysis of the cornets manufactured by Olds in Los Angeles. This covers all Olds cornet models from the early 1930’s through 1954:

Olds Register database

All new entries for submitted in through June 25th 2026 have been added. The Register now has 8,729 entries, an increase of 2,856 entries since the Register was brought back to life!

Here is a chart showing the % of entries in the Olds Register by type of instrument and model. Obviously some models were only produced for a few years and others for decades, but this clearly shows the dominance of the Ambassador in terms of total production.

TOPICS	CATALOGS
Serial Numbers and Data Serial Numbers Serial number estimates by year from 1929 to 1979 with analysis by year. Olds Register database This is database of owner submitted information for Olds brass instruments. Olds Register form Submit your Olds Trumpet, Cornet, or other brass into the database! Olds Trumpet production data from 1969 to 1978 Olds war-time production (WWII) – This impacts production and serial number estimates from 1938 to 1950! Guarantee Certificates – examples from different eras.	1930’s Early Olds Trumpet Brochure (Circa 1932) 1933 Olds brochure – NEW 1933 CMI Catalog Revised date 1935 Catalog 1937 Catalog Revised date 1939 Catalog
Photos – interesting/unusual Olds instruments & photos of interest NEW Recordings by Olds artists and of Olds instruments	1940’s 1941 Catalog 1947 Olds Catalog 1949 Catalog
Information about different models of Olds trumpets and cornets Chart of Olds trumpet & cornet models by year Prices of models in 2025 dollars!	1950’s 1951 Olds Catalog 1952 Olds Catalog 1957 Olds Brochure 1957 Complete catalog Circa 1959 Brochure
Technical data: Mouthpiece specs Leadpipe specs Custom model trumpet codes Large Shank cornet mouthpieces Table of Trumpet Weights Valox valve guides Parts diagrams of Olds models 1931 Patent	1960’s 1960 Olds Price List 1961 Olds Catalog 1962 Olds Catalog (partial) 1962 Full Olds Catalog @ It’s a Bear 1963 Olds Price List 1964/65 Olds Catalog 1966 Olds Catalog 1967 Olds Price List 1968 Olds Price List 1969 Ambassador brochure
Histories about F.E. Olds & Son Interviews/articles by & about Olds employees NEW STORIES ADDED! Newspaper articles Advertisements SEVERAL NEW ADS! Other information from the legacy Olds Central website Links to information about Olds on other websites	1970’s 1970 Olds Trumpet Brochure 1973 Olds Catalog 1973 Olds Price List 1973 Reynolds Price List 1973 Superstar Brochure 1974 Olds Price List Undated Superstar Brochure 1976 Olds Price List 1977 Olds Catalog 1978 Olds Price List

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