[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] Re: Trombone enquiry
The "Olds" name is long and distinguished, with many fine instruments mad=
e
over the years. However, the brand is now a "stencil line" - a name put o=
n
other peoples products.
The Olds name is now owned by an American - Ray Benedetto - who's based i=
n
New Jersey. He gets "Olds" brass instruments made mostly in the Blessing
&
Getzen factories in the US and sells them mostly internally in the US.
In the UK a small number are imported and distributed by a wholesale comp=
any
(Bill Lewington) - mostly to smaller retailers.
As a result the brand hasn't really took off as both Getzen & Blessing ha=
s a
presence in the UK - and because the "originals" go through "less pairs o=
f
hands" before the player - they're usually cheaper.
The model you've been offered is almost certainly a Blessing B88 with a
different badge. It's not a bad instrument - made about a mile from the B=
ach
factory in Elkhart it's based on the Bach 42b (many instrument workers in
Elkhart regularly move between factories!) - but should be considerably
cheaper.
Normans have imported the Blessing range into the UK for over 25 years -
and
we currently have 2x 88h on the shelf available to test on a SOR basis at
UK=A3 595 each. If you like the Olds - consider the Blessing !
Gareth Haines (Normans!)
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