The Olds Recording Trumpet and Cornet were the most radical departure from traditional trumpet design there ever was. If Frank Lloyd Wright had been a trumpet designer he might have created something similar to the Recording. It had the unmistakable "Art-Deco" look that was so distinctive of the 1940's and '50's.

        It first appeared in the mid 1930's as a sub-line of the Olds professional line of trumpets, the Super. It was called the Super Recording. It's concept was to be an instrument designed for "recording with prominent motion picture studio orchestras"; who were required to spend many hours in the studio, and needed an instrument that was more comfortable to hold and play for long periods of time.

        To that end, Olds consulted the studio trumpeter Harold "Pappy" Mitchell to discover what features of the trumpet needed to be made more comfortable. I suspect there were others also involved in the design process, but I was unable to discover any others by name.

        First, they balanced the valve section between the bell and the mouthpiece to make it seem lighter; and to be easier to hold and operate. In addition, it allows the player more freedom of movement in the right hand to facilitate operation of the valves.

        Speaking of valves ... the Olds valve has a reputation for a fast and smooth action, and when it was built onto a horn that was ergonomically designed to make the valves easier to use, it makes the Olds Recording unique in its ability to work for it's players and not hinder their technique. 

        The  valves are also designed to have a very high tolerance for intonation between the open horn sound and that with the valve half way depressed. This un-advertised feature allows the player to adjust the length of the stroke of the valves to their own comfort level. I discovered this by accident one time after cleaning my Recording. When I put the valves back together after soaking them; I discovered the felt rings under the valve caps had worn out. So, I replaced them with cork rings that were much thicker than the felt. It effectively shortened the valve stem from underneath the valve cap. I later added felt rings on top of the cork to eliminate the "slap" sound when bare cork hit the brass of the valve caps.

        The most notable and unique feature of the Olds Recording is the recessed middle valve, ergonomically placed to compensate for the long middle finger. To my knowledge this has never been done before or since. It is the simplest of innovations, yet it is the one change to basic trumpet design which truly made the Recording stand alone. As I later found out, it required a complete re-tooling of the valve making process. Not only was the valve case redesigned, but the holes inside the valves to accommodate the inside tubing had to be adjusted to compensate for the dislocation of the second valve.

        Around 1949 the word Super was dropped, and it was called simply the Olds Recording. One prominent feature was removed; the exclusive engraved Olds tone control band attached to the bell. Thereafter, all of the bells were hand engraved by Leonard Garcia. Another new feature was also added to the Recording; the third valve slide trigger; to ease control of intonation. To my great surprise, and to the astonishment of other of my trumpet associates; the third valve trigger helps control intonation of the other valve combinations as well. I know that it's not supposed to work that way, but I bring the pitch down on sharp top line "F's" and "A's" just above the staff all the time that way. Beats me how they did it, or if they even meant to do it. So many of the design features were so well thought out and meticulously constructed I suspect there was a reason they did not include a 1st valve thumb saddle or trigger. 

        Besides the design features that make the Recording a pleasure and comfort to play, there is the physical appearance of the instrument. Every detail was considered to make it as beautiful as it is functional. The high copper content (called "Re-O-loy" by Olds) in the bell and lead pipe sections give the horn a warm, rich and powerful tone; the yellow brass used for the valve section and tuning slide crooks make the instrument very sturdy, and the nickel plating on all the fittings and braces give this instrument a unique tri-tone color effect by offsetting the copper red, yellow brass, and polished silver. Every line and angle was carefully weighed for aesthetic value as well as function, and neither one were ever compromised.

        Unfortunately, the Olds company was forced to go out of business in 1979. They ceased production of their professional model instruments, closed the factory in Fullerton, California; and auctioned off most of the machine tools and parts.

        Some thought that was the end of the story, but Olds horns have done very well in the vintage trumpet market. Many of the Olds models, and especially the Recording, are sold at prices comparable to that of new professional line instruments. An Olds trumpet that has been taken care of will play just as well today as the day it shipped from the factory. That alone speaks volumes about the quality and pride in workmanship that went into each and every instrument that the Olds Company built.

        Early in 2002 I saw that Taylor Trumpets had begun production of their Heritage line of trumpets. They were modeled after the Olds Recording except the middle valve was not offset like the original. I was very disappointed when I saw that. After all, why make a copy of the Recording if your not going to include all of the distinctive features that made it unique and special? My apologies to Mr. Taylor, but it is true. He was very nice and very helpful when I called to inquire about it, and I know he admires and respects these instruments as much as I do.

        Although, it is a beautiful instrument; it just wasn't the same. When we spoke I asked Mr. Taylor if he could make just one with the offset middle valve. He told me about Zig Kanstul, and how he had been the factory superintendent at Olds, and that Zig was really the one to talk to about getting a new Recording made. Because, the machine tools required to make the valve section belong to Mr. Kanstul who acquired them from the Olds Factory when it was closed.

        Naturally, I called Mr. Kanstul to ask if he would be willing make a brand new Olds Recording. He seemed pretty surprised by the request, and told me that I was the first person in twenty years to ask for one. After several phone conversations, we finally got all the details and features worked out. It took several months after that to complete the project, but in April of 2003 I took delivery of the only genuine Kanstul/Olds Recording to be made since the Olds Factory closed in 1979. I was told later that Mr. Kanstul made the trumpet himself.

The Kanstul Recording - Serial Number 23488

        He designed it with all the original Olds Recording features. The offset middle valve. The balanced valve section, and third valve slide trigger.  But, we added a 5" diameter bell, a rounded tuning slide crook, and heavy bottom valve caps. Also, it has amati water keys on the tuning slide and third valve slide. Yet, it even has the original engraving on the bell. "Olds Recording by F.E. Olds and Son, Fullerton, Calif."

        I'd just really like to say "Thank you!!" to Frank Ellsworth and Reginald Birdsall Olds (F.E. Olds and Son) and also to Zigmant Kanstul for building my dream horn. It is the best trumpet I've ever played!