Trumpet Battle: Which is Better, Vintage or Modern? Two Trumpet Showdown at ACB - Olds vs. Adams!

The Debate!!! Which is better a vintage horn or a modern horn? Two Trumpet Showdown at ACB!
I often hear in the shop:
"Vintage trumpets are the best!"
"Forget Vintage, Modern horns make your playing life easy!"
So I thought I would do a video comparing two of my absolute favorite horns (one of them is for sale btw at the link below) currently hanging out at my home studio!
A superb restored Olds Recording trumpet (in my personal collection and NFS)
and
"EXCALIBUR" which is now for sale:
www.austincustombrass.biz/tre...
Raw, un-edited lo-fi audio.... and raw chops ;-)
I used the following ACB mouthpieces on this clip:
ACB MV 1.5C Clear Acrylic top with the KA-3 backbore (for more info email [e-mail])
ACB Christian MOD (a new prototype I'm making for my friend Christian Scott!)
As always we have tons of goodies at:
www.austincustombrass.biz
Austin Custom Brass is one of the world's premier brass pro shops. We routinely have hundreds of instruments in stock. If you are looking for something in particular please let us know via email at [e-mail] or call 781-944-6247 or 816-410-0826 today!
Please subscribe to our YT channel!

[@austincustom]

I should say the Adams is considerably easier to play but there's a magic to this particular Olds! I'm so happy I purchased it!

[@robertkerr9738]

That’s kind of what I was thinking. With you behind the wheel they both sound very similar (and awesome). I think where you really realize the difference is behind the horn, not in front of it. I compare new and vintage horns to driving an automatic to a manual transmission car. The automatic is more efficient and easier to drive (it’s what I want to drive on a daily basis to get the job done), but on weekends when I want to have a great time, I want to drive the stick shift through the hills because it makes me really feel like I’m driving and it’s just more fun. If I had to drive the stick shift every day, however, I would probably long for a more efficient car that was just less work to drive! Thanks for the video!

[@kevin_soda]

The Olds has more character but Adams sounds cleaner. On mic or in a recording session, maybe the Adams is a better choice but any natural acoustic environment would favor the Olds.

[@MichaelTalbottJFN]

So, I own a bunch of Bb horns; some vintage, some not so much (1961 Conn 36B, Bach 37 built in ‘97, old B+S 43 bell equivalent, maybe 70-80’s) They all sound different, and I use them for different purposes, but I’ve also played the Adams A5 (don’t remember the bell gauge) and it was the easiest horn I ever played across all genres I play (big band, brass stab/fill band for Christian contemporary music, 50’s-60’s rock band lead and fills.) Based how easy A5 was to play for me, I’m confident I can make the A5 work across genres by picking the right mouthpiece, and by “thinking thru” the sound I want. It’s also a light lighter, and therefore easier to get thru a 4 hour gig, which is important since those standing gigs are not as easy at 72 after playing about 50+years. Trent, I think I’m gonna have to come back down to K.C. and “negotiate” a deal, maybe thinning my herd a bit...

[@lenwoodturneriv6169]

The Olds has this ‘Character’ and ‘Core’ to it that seems to pull ahead of the Adams to my ears. I had a silver Olds Recording in High School and lost it on a tour, years later. I feel like the Adams would be easier to get around on. But, I love the characteristics of the horn. **sidenote-I met Vernon Davis once. He was actually taking up trumpet. He was talking to me about the metal in older horns being ‘milled’ differently and having more body to the sound🤷🏾‍♂️

[@bartoszponczek1320]

Both great; Olds seems more lively and vibrant, attractive. Adams more smoky. I would 'give' Olds to Doc Severinsen and Adams to Wynton Marsalis, both brilliant but other styles.

[@andycormier2475]

The winner is: Trent! Both horns sound great. The Olds seems to have a warmer, bigger(?) tone than the A5, but to "declare victory", you have to account for 1) which horn feels better for the player given their playing style, and 2) which horn best helps the player in their particular musical expression. The A5 may kill the Olds in someone else's hands, and vice versa. The more horns I try, I think it's mostly about the relationship between player and horn. Great video Trent!

[@TheHuntermoss]

Exactly!!!

[@albertconforzi5113]

The olds had a livelier sound to me. The Adams more dark colours.

[@austincustom]

Thanks for your comments please keep them coming!

[@johnlaperriere9099]

Personally, I prefer the Olds. The Recording has the sound that I prefer.

[@afoot4silver800]

Great information, can’t believe I missed this one.

[@vidiupload4174]

To my ear, the Adams had a cleaner, compact, focused sound, while the Olds had a broader, fuller, more resonant sound. Both seemed to fit the genres of music played. If I had to choose, I'd pick the one that's easier to play, as I'd be able to concentrate on the music itself, rather than the playing of the music. Both sound beautiful, which we can attribute in no small part to the sound generator behind the horns. ;-)

[@Monkey-ut7ke]

Thanks for showcasing the two, after previous mention to the legendary instrument. They only made the double lead pipe on Super Recording models 1938-46 You have to understand the very early Olds Super Recording trumpets are VERY Rare They just didn’t make many They were hand built by the very best craftsman of the era and tested by pros all the way through the build. Extremely amazing instruments, lightweight and powerful.

[@austincustom]

I have a few super recordings in my collection waiting to get restored. They are truly special.

[@justinsmith2530]

Cool horns. I have been interested in that Adams since you built it. I never really thought of a Olds recording being a great commercial horn, a little harder work, but I loved the sound. Two great horns.

[@justinsmith2530]

What is the thickness gauge of the A5 Excalibur?

[@gneveln]

I don't have my dream trumpet yet. I still have my 60 year old Olds Ambassador and also a Blessing ML1S that, I suppose, is probably a 'vintage' horn by now. Both wonderful horns.

[@golf4funjn532]

Loved this!

[@Couesnonfl]

I think your talent makes both sound very good. That said, I liked the OLDS a bit more. I thought the tone was a tiny bit cleaner. My own take on that is that it may be the composition of alloy. I've been playing over 50 years and I'm an ok lead player. Love searching antique stores for horns. I find that most old horns used a thicker heavier brass that has such a rich sound...as long as the horn is in decent shape. So, by a hair...the OLDS.

[@perryparsons9960]

To be 100% honest, with you playing, the Olds won hands down. If it were me playing, and attempting to do what you did technically, would need a modern trumpet to even get close. And close would be the best I could hope for, especially on 'Joy Spring'. I can faithfully butcher it on anything in my hand, while I can get the flow on a vintage cornet, can never get the intonation right. Again, apples to apples, the Olds won hands down.

[@ftera4]

I love vintage trumpets (vintage everything) as well. I do believe a WELL MADE trumpet from any decade with good quality brass will sound and play great. Whether a professional or student model as well. Along these lines I've witnessed one of my teachers make a hose attached to a funnel sound great. I also believe instruments we love subconsciously or consciously inspire us to play better as well.

[@walterhertman7683]

Would love to see a sound frequency spectrum analysis alongside the recorded examples. Human perception and lack of codified descriptive language are so subjective.

[@Trollet532]

what is heard by the human ear is the only thung that matters though 😎

[@mattburke9193]

Both sound like you, Trent! There's not a great deal of difference from this side of the bell. Of course, the biggest differences will be for you, the player. You sounded like you could get around slightly easier on the Adams, and the tone sounded a bit more uniform across the range. Having said that, the Olds sounded more open and rich in the lower register to me and has slightly more varied tone colours between the notes, which I like. Both sounded great though. Lovely trumpet playing and demonstration, Trent. Thank you taking the time to post this very interesting video.

[@rev.edwardmartinez468]

I love the velvety sound of the Adam, but the vintage had a clearer sound which is more to my preference. I wish you had said something about, ease of flow, roof hitting the higher notes, were they both the same? Still very interesting comparison.

[@aragon1253]

The Olds has a lively bouncy sound to it but you could also hear it was more of a struggle to play. The Adams was so smooth and even but was missing that pop. Both awesome. The car analogy was accurate.

[@ccrider5398]

There is so much to comparisons. Some people prefer a 50 year old Bach to the same model made in 2022. Then there is the difference between what people hear in front of the bell to what the player hears behind the bell. Some orchestras force you to buy "their brand" instrument whether you play principle or 4th. Still you have to have something that you as a player (practicer!) like to hear. I could tell the differences as you played these two trumpets, but which is "better?" I don't know. Maybe you could do a comparison with a 50 year old Schilke B3 and and new one, or some other make and model of the same horn only separated by decades in manufacture and materials. Keep up the good work.

[@CameronJay]

Hey Trent, your man in Scotland here, (still loving what you did to the B7L, it's now got a #3 copper bell and is getting a new receiver - it's just stunning). Anyhoo. The Olds wins this video for me and more importantly, you sound so much more at home it so maybe that's a familiarity thing but regardless of that, the old wins sound-wise. The Adams is great too. Can't beat vintage though. Cheers for the video. Ever done a vintage Strad V new Strad comparison? I've often wondered about what a NY Corp Strad sounds like against a 190 edition. Anyway. Cheers man.

[@jsmith748]

Mee too...Strad V Strad

[@Scjdrilldesigns]

I like the Olds on everything but the ballad jazz. A little more color high and low end of the sound. Curious on sound in a larger room, as that is where I notice the difference on horns that record well vs those that fill a room.

[@piedpeter1]

Olds just has "more" going on. Would love to see an Olds Recording compared to Conn Constellation 38b.

[@danladore2688]

Both sounded great. I honestly couldn't hear much of a difference between the two. I'll have to replay it a couple of times.

[@blainekelley816]

Really noticed the difference flipping between the 2 horns on Joyspring. Adams was warmer and buttery. What I would call 'darker'. The Recording has a lovely voice, I just like the Adams a tad more. Is the A5 always in raw brass (both now available on your web store are that way)? I imagine it might sound different with lacquer or silver plate? - Would have loved to have heard the Recording vs. the A3 Fulcrum you played earlier this month.

[@WasatchWendigo]

Sounds like playing the Olds is easier for you, so it's interesting that the opposite is true. I guess that goes along with what most people say, they love the sound of the Olds but it wears them out more quickly to play one.

[@matth6932]

Thanks Trent. I have an 1956 Olds Ambassador that I picked up at a Pawn shop for $50 in 1993. I have been tempted to pick up another horn as it needs a bit of an overhaul, but how can I...I feel like I would be betraying my Olds if I try something different. Great vid. Love your shop. Watching from Canada.

[@austincustom]

The ambassadors in my opinion are overrated and overyhyped they are nothing like the high end Olds instruments. They are decent student trumpets but IMO that's it. Thank you for watching the channel and keep on keepin' on! T

[@elbakara]

​@@austincustomI totally agree in regards to the Olds Ambassador being overated. I have a 1955 one and it plays like a student horn. I only purchased it because Lee played one briefly. I was definitely disappointed with the sound of the horn. The horn is in fantastic condition by the way.

[@chris430811]

Both are very close based on the first mouthpiece, with the olds just a little brighter, not much, With that said it sounded on both horns spit needed to be released. With the commercial mouthpiece the Olds seemed to be more warmer, less edge but just as clean. Both horns sound excellent in all other aspects! Wow!

[@budobrass]

The Adams seems to have more lower overtones whereas the Olds seems to have more highs

[@rev.edwardmartinez468]

The Adams sounded a little bit muffled compared to the Olds, which has a clear brassy sound crisp and clear. That's just comparing the sound. It's a great looker too.

[@timsmith8813]

The Olds is mucher cleaner sounding on the upper end, in my opinion. I've never played an Adams, but playing Olds trumpets for over 50 years, they do take a lot of effort and wind, but the tone, they just work. Not ever playing the Adams, I'd bet it probably gets the job done with less effort. The Olds Super recording is my Dream horn. Thank You Trent for posting the comparisons, you play beautifully!

[@austincustom]

Thank you for listening!

[@normaninnes1274]

The Olds is stunning with a brass forward sound.

[@jbj6495]

For the lyrical melody I like the Adam's because of its warmth sound . For the fast poppy tunes I like the old. Both are great in their own perspectives.

[@keithrollings2536]

The Olds for me. Beautiful tone.

[@charlescavanagh]

More clarity and richness in the Olds..overall a tone I prefer.

[@famillefoucher4263]

May be you should try this type of contest by comparing an old French C trumpet (Aubertin, to name the top of the line) with most modern C trumpets. The difference would be more striking :-) Apart that, the olds has a terrific design and has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of sound.

[@southsidejazz]

The Olds Recording for me, every time. It sounds better and boy isn't it the prettiest horn you've ever seen!

[@willallen4080]

To me it's hard to beat the clarity of note from the Olds.

[@chasefreak]

The differences in vintage vs new, at least for me, is that the vintage horns used a different metal (thickness, materials) than current horns. Most horns are made with combinations of copper and brass alloy. Many of the older horns actually used traces of lead in the valve block/casings, most new horns don't have this for safety reasons hence, they are slightly lighter in weight but some tend to lack a certain resonance the older horns had. The same with say vintage guitars which were made with a certain type of wood quality and like older brass, provide more resonance. Again, there's no right or wrong...just preference

[@jonrobertspiano]

I’m interested that you’ve kept the recording in your collection but not a super recording. I think the recordings are amazing but the super recordings I’ve played have been as easy to play as almost any modern horn I’ve tried. The exceptions have been horns that are over 4 times the cost (I live in Portland so have spent a lot of time at the Monette factory). But I haven’t played Adams trumpets. Maybe a trip out to ACB is in my near future. In any case, why did you sell the Super Recording you had come through a year or so back?

[@austincustom]

I have a super recording as well but not the really good one I had a while back!

[@austincustom]

That super recording which is in the collection of a very dear friend is arguably one of the best trumpets I've ever played!

[@BrassThunder]

The Olds seems a little more live in he tone I am assuming the Adams is a physically heavier horn?

[@stuartcombie8736]

Both sound fantastic! I have to say though, you know your horn in, horn out rule? Don’t do that with the Olds.

[@waynebates5283]

I prefer the Olds sound in this comparison. I has what I would call more of a ring while the Adams sounds silkier to me. Both sound great with your skill behind the bell but I prefer that Olds sound just slightly.

[@waynebates5283]

OK. I switched from listening on my cell to my home office setup. There was less of a difference. I really liked the Adams on Joy Spring! You displayed more fluidity on the Adams there. Conclusion for me is that it's all comes down to how easy it is to play and sounds in your hands. For those that are not collectors, one must answer the question "can the horn be your daily ax"?

[@finemasterviolins]

I was surprised, i prefer the Olds Recording trumpet by a long long way.

[@vroomoon]

The Olds all the way. Overall tone, quality of articulation, core, and clarity are all superior to the Adams. I just upgraded to my first modern horn though, and I will say everything is easier. The valves are thrashed on my old horn though, so I can't really make an accurate comparison.

[@BopWalk]

You know, it's quite clear that vintage horns usually have a cooler more unique sound. My old Besson sounds way better than any current Adams offering or Bach offering imho

[@campbellmckinnon2080]

Anyone know the name of the tune Trent plays at 5:23

[@BoazKimMusic]

Campbell McKinnon Clifford Brown’s, “Joy Spring.”

[@robertthomas7343]

sound comparison ....... Olds (personal preference)

[@Dave_Herrick]

I LOVE the sound you get from that Olds, so rich yet lyrical and well rounded. I like the Adams too but I bet that Olds is a great lead chair horn too, the projection is fantastic and I'm betting it cuts a little better than the Adams.

[@awreckingball]

It takes a few weeks to get used to a horn and make an informed judgement. Side by side tests are interesting but don't provide the full picture.

[@LAUptegrove]

Not really something for a fair comparison. Every player has his/her favorite sounding horn. Those who love Bach's look down on Olds, and vice Versa. Conn folks vs King folks have always been at odds with one another and folks with a pre-war Selmer won't even TALK to anyone else. So how does this old vs new competition of differing brands really compute? I don't know, but I enjoyed the video.

[@stevenuttley]

The Olds is cleaner and the sound better defined with more overtones, but probably just as warm. This isn't confirmation bias because I was expecting the exact opposite to be honest. Furthermore the Olds is better centred and sounds more in tune. I thought that was subjective so I put the electronic tuner on the last tune and found the Olds more in tune both absolutely and relatively (with itself). Again that confounded me. I was going to ask the question re ease of playing but you've answered it below. I expected the modern horn would be easier to play and that is the case. It would be better if you could find a mint but unrestored Recording because it is hard to say how much the restorer has brought to the party and whether it accurately reflects the sound the horn made when factory fresh, but I doubt many exist, if any. Interestingly your experience reflects my own. I own a couple of vintage Kings, unrestored but pretty tight and in good condition. I think they sound better than my modern horn but they are slightly harder work.

[@pebblebeach8517]

Quality old metal verses high tech computerized State of the art new age design...both of best worlds

[@timoteoluna3789]

I thought the Olds sounded better but then again I'm only listening on my cell phone .

[@kirbyhill3411]

Olds every time. By far.

[@lwskiner]

Adams is more open but your 'singing' quality was quite a bit more apparent on the Olds.

[@richardaileen5842]

The olds has a warmer sound

[@etaylor2k]

I want to know more about that Christian MOD mouthpiece...

[@57dogsbody]

The olds wins hands down.......it has a prettier sound. And boy are they well made, if it were manufactured today it would be horribly expensive

[@nickriggs8037]

Olds by a mile! How a trumpet should sound.

[@timoteoluna3789]

Does anybody out there in KZbin land know what type of trumpet Ray Anthony played when he had his television show 🤔

[@thedamndiz2343]

I think it was either a King liberty or a Selmer 25 with a parduba. Not sure what size though. Hope kinda helps.

[@timoteoluna3789]

@@thedamndiz2343 you are right he played a selmer although it didn't say which model. It did say he switched over to a Yamaha 40 years ago.

[@johnroberts5515]

In this cpmparison, I prefer the tone of the Adams every time - it sounds "cool", wheres the Olds Recording has more "bite". Don't get me wrong - I have a couple of Olds Recording trumpets and an Olds Recording cornet , all with copper bells, and Olds Opera, Ambassadors etc., and love them all - but regularly play a Schilke S42 trumpet and a Puje for gigs; but daily practice is usually done on an Olds Ambassador cornet - because it is handy, out of its case .....(it has no case).

[@ClintAshlock]

Jeez, they’re so subtly different to my super subjective ears. The Adams does seem more veiled and a darker attack response, if that makes sense. The Olds has - not a better - a different character. Brighter? Crisper? Smaller? The Adams seems more resonant and less tubby in the lower register, and the Olds seems more vibrant with a sizzly thing... ...but good gravy, there are a lot of things at play. All that said, I’d listen to you play on a foot and probably enjoy it.

[@johnvancura6835]

Olds sounds richer.. imo

[@Valkyry5]

I can hear that both are equally good in their attributes with the first mouthpiece respectively, but with Olds having bit of projection and the Adams having a "raw brass" fat/ Laid-back, yet introspective sound. Where I stand, the Olds seems to come alive with the shallower Mouthpiece; possessing a "small bore", agile, Lyrical, locked in, centered sound. Kinda between Michael Brecker and Satchmo?(if I spelled it right.) The Adams with the shallow mouthpiece, comes alive too...in its laid-back way. It may definitely resonate with you in all the right places but it just sounds (from my end).. Ok. I can't put my finger on which Adams horn but, I've heard "better" Adams you played in the past. If you had a Puji or a STC-1 I heard you on, then I would say those. But you didn't, so I would say please keep the overhauled Olds. You gave it new life to speak it's wisdom again.

[@dereklimback8917]

They both sound like Trent Austin! lol. Obviously both great horns. I also don't think there is a "winner", but both seem to have some advantages. The adams seemed to play more open in the low register while the Olds seem to close in or compress in the low register but I liked the Olds sound in the upper register as it seems to zing a little more. The Olds has a crisper sounding front on the articulation and the adams has a thicker/darker front of the articulation. I'd be curious more to know how each horn feels to the player. Trent makes all these horns sound good! Is either one easier? More in tune? Can you push each horn? How does each horn respond to different mouthpieces? What are the intonation tendencies on each one? I like that Trent didn't bias us on this vid, but how about a follow up and have your shop mates join in for their impressions! The Debate 2.0!

[@jsmith748]

Excellent analysis. I agree that listening to an instrument is obviously a critical element, but HOW it plays is also very important.

[@jefsut]

No difference to me ...