Olds O20 Valve Trombone

[azagbaw]

I have an Olds O20 Valve trombone with slide as well. Since I'm a trumpet player, I want to stick with the valve section. My question is does anyone have experience pairing some of the different Olds bells with the O20 valve section? I'm specifically thinking about the Recording, Super, or Studio for rock, R&B, funk, soul, or commercial music.

[JohnL]

Any of the following should work:
R-20 Recording w/F-attacfhment
R-15 Recording
S-15 Super (except friction fit)
T-15 Studio
L-15 Special
A-15 Ambassador
A-20 Ambassador
V-20 SuperStar
P-15 Custom
P-16 Custom
Standard (except friction fit)

What won't work:
Any of the Opera family (O-15, O-115, O-23, O-25)
Friction-fit models (some can be modified to fit by replacing the tenon receiver with one from a newer Olds trombone)

You're unlikely to encounter one, but there are a few larger bore (LLM's and L's) Supers out there in the world have a tenon nut but have larger diameter tenon parts.

If you're looking for maximum punch, I'd suggest one of the Studios with a nickel silver bell flare.

[azagbaw]

Thanks John for the great information. I just bought a 1959 Olds Super and paired it with the O20 valve section. It sounds pretty powerful and able to get high notes pretty clearly. It seems the bell makes a difference, but I wonder why. I'll take your advise and be on the look out for a reasonably priced Studio to try as well.