1963 Olds Opera Premiere Large Bore Bb cornet

1963 Olds Opera Premiere Large Bore Bb cornet   

The Olds Opera trumpet and cornet models were introduced in the  early 1960's as a new addition to the Olds lineup.  At the time, the Mendez was the highest priced model and the Opera was priced just below the Mendez and more than the Recording model. It featured a nickel-silver bell and leadpipe, 1st slide trigger, octagonal finger buttons (and matching top and bottom caps) and a .468 large bore.

Unlike some other Olds models, the cornet version of the Opera model must have been produced in much smaller numbers.  They are fairly uncommon in the used market.   The Opera Premiere and Fanfare (brass bell) trumpets first appear in an  Olds price list dated1960, although the first batch shows up in the Olds Register with serial numbers circa 1957.   The Opera Premiere cornet is not in a 1960 Price List, but first appears in the 1961 Catalog.  The first batch of Opera Cornets are in the Olds Register circa 1960.  There is no record that an Opera Fanfare Cornet was produced.   By the 1973 Catalog, both models were gone from the lineup.  The Opera Trumpet is in a Trumpet model brochure dated 1970, but there are no Olds Register entries for the Opera Trumpet or Cornet after 1968, so the Opera Cornet may have only had an eight year run.  

This particular cornet is in very good condition.  The valve compression and action is excellent.  The lacquer finish on the brass and nickel-silver sections is good, with some scratches in various locations, but no large patches of missing lacquer.  There are a couple of dings in the leadpipe and evidence of some dent removal in the bell tail.

This cornet comes with it's original case in very good condition.  It does not come with a mouthpiece, but standard cornet mouthpieces fit this cornet.  We can provide a Yamaha or Bach mouthpiece if the buyer does not have a cornet mouthpiece.

FEATURES:  

• Nickel-silver Bell and leadpipe
• Nickel-silver trim with lacquer finish 
• Nickel plated valves  
• Bore: .468" Large Bore 
• Matching serial numbers on all valve spring barrels
• First slide trigger