Olds Register photo guide – Los Angeles

Question 6: Bell Material

The majority of Olds instruments have bells made of brass, but there are some variations among the models that are worth noting.

Which best describes the bell on your instrument?

The bell is all brass. This generally describes most Ambassador, Mendez, Special, Olds, and Standard models

The bell has a Nickel-Silver Tone control band (most Super or Super Recording models)

The bell has a brass tone control band (Super and Super Recording models for a few years in the 1940’s)

The bell is made of Re-O-loy brass (an Olds trade name for Gold or Red brass which has a higher copper content and has a much darker color than the yellow brass used for other parts of the instrument. Typically only the Recording model.

The bell has a brass tube and a nickel-silver flare. Typically the Studio model.

The bell is plated so it is not possible to determine the material under the plating.