Olds Custom P-16 Trombone; serial number A485xx; 1979 - email to hpw3@mindspring.com

This is an Olds Custom model P-16 trombone that was made around 1979. I bought this horn to replace a Custom that I sold a couple of years ago. But now I need the funds more than I need an extra horn.

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The Custom is a .500" bore trombone with a 7-1/2" bell. [See below for detailed specs.] The bell flare is engraved as follows:

Custom Crafted
P-16
F.E.Olds & Son
Fullerton
Calif.

The serial number is A485xx, indicating that the horn was made in 1979 or so. Includes an Olds 12C mouthpiece. The case is a tan semi-slimline case [my words] in good condition and includes the keys.

This horn is in excellent condition. No dents. The handslide is excellent. There's a worn spot very close to the handgrip area. And there are some slight scratches on the neckpipe area where a protector was used earlier.

Here's a description of the Olds Custom taken from a 1977 Olds brochure:

The production of the P-16 Custom Trombone expertly combines the innovations of designer Burt Herrick and the advanced engineering techniques with traditional handcrafting skills of Olds. The P-16 assures the mature artist a truly responsive instrument capable of meeting the most exacting requirements. The precision calibrated bore affords exceptionally clear projections in all registers. Special alloys selected for resonance and workability in very thin gauges have been used. The .500 bore compliments the 7.5" bell. The mouthpipe venturi is precisely located to permit ease of blowing while the widely spaced slide tubes allow feathertouch slide action. Both of these features deliver a fatigue-free performance over long periods of playing.

Also from the brochure:

Specifications:
Bore: .500" Bell: 7.5"
Materials (Finish): Thin gauge brass; nickel-silver hard chrome plated inside slide; baked epoxy finish.
Weight: 38 oz.
Case: Supplied in Deluxe Case with accessories.

Someone knowledgable in such matters told me that, based on the brochure's description, he guessed that "Burt Herrick must have designed the leadpipe. Burt was a well known leadpipe maker in LA, many of the great trombone players play or did play his leadpipes."

In addition to the picture that appears below, here are links to a few others. Click on each link to see the referenced picture. Then use your browser's "back" button to return here.

Click here to see the P-16 inside the case.

Click here to see the bell.

Click here to see another view of the bell.

Click here to see inside the bell.

Click here to see the logo area of the bell.

Click here to see a close-up of the engraving on the bell. This picture was taken with flash. [This is the same picture that's shown below.]

Click here to see the slide crook.

Click here to see another view of the slide crook.

Click here to see yet another view of the slide crook. This picture was taken with flash.

Click here to see the closed case.

Click here to see the handgrip area. This picture was taken with flash.

Click here to see another view of the handgrip area.

Click here to see yet another view of the handgrip area.

Click here to see the tuning slide area. This picture was taken with flash.

Click here to see another view of the tuning slide area.

Click here to see yet another view of the tuning slide area.

Click here to see the neck area area.

Click here to see the Olds 12C mouthpiece.