Olds Trombone Made for Wilbur DeParis
I have no documentation for this trombone beyond the engraving on
the bell. It was donated to the Long Beach (California) City Schools
many years ago and fortunately the staff realized that it wasn't an
appropriate instrument to give to a kid, so it didn't get much use
there. It was brought to me by a teacher to repair the slide action. I
explained that the old nickel plated slides never work quite as well as
a modern chrome plated slide and the weight of the tuning
mechanism gives it a heavier feel. I suggested that I could trade a
Bundy trombone in virtually new condition for it and that was what
she was hoping to hear. Then as now, Olds trombones just weren't
worth very much. I wasn't aware of who Wilbur DeParis was at that
time but I was happy to have a custom made Olds trombone in such
nice condition and with original case. The serial number, 2739,
indicates that Olds had been operating for some time and the bell
engraving predates the inclusion of Olds' son. The company name
had changed to F.E. Olds and Son by 1924. My guess would be that
it was made early on after moving to the new factory on Raymond
Ave. in 1922, but it is possible that it was made in the barn behind
the Olds home before that date. More Olds history here.
I'm hoping that some readers will have found this page by searching
the internet for "Wilbur DeParis" and already know a bit of his
career. He was born into a musical show business family in 1900
and took to jazz early. Throughout his career he played with many
of the greats including Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Duke
Ellington but is most known for his own band with his brother,
Sidney, playing traditional jazz after the war. I have not been able to
find a photograph of him holding an Olds trombone like this, but
most photos of early bands that he might have played in do not
identify the players. If you have such a photo or reference, please
contact me.
Although this trombone is in excellent condition with attractive
engraving extending the full length of the bell and appropriate finish,
it has been refinished after extensive but careful use. It is marked
"M" for Medium and has a 7" bell. The slide is dual bore: .497/.509"
which is the bore used on many Olds models until the end of
production in 1979.
the bell. It was donated to the Long Beach (California) City Schools
many years ago and fortunately the staff realized that it wasn't an
appropriate instrument to give to a kid, so it didn't get much use
there. It was brought to me by a teacher to repair the slide action. I
explained that the old nickel plated slides never work quite as well as
a modern chrome plated slide and the weight of the tuning
mechanism gives it a heavier feel. I suggested that I could trade a
Bundy trombone in virtually new condition for it and that was what
she was hoping to hear. Then as now, Olds trombones just weren't
worth very much. I wasn't aware of who Wilbur DeParis was at that
time but I was happy to have a custom made Olds trombone in such
nice condition and with original case. The serial number, 2739,
indicates that Olds had been operating for some time and the bell
engraving predates the inclusion of Olds' son. The company name
had changed to F.E. Olds and Son by 1924. My guess would be that
it was made early on after moving to the new factory on Raymond
Ave. in 1922, but it is possible that it was made in the barn behind
the Olds home before that date. More Olds history here.
I'm hoping that some readers will have found this page by searching
the internet for "Wilbur DeParis" and already know a bit of his
career. He was born into a musical show business family in 1900
and took to jazz early. Throughout his career he played with many
of the greats including Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Duke
Ellington but is most known for his own band with his brother,
Sidney, playing traditional jazz after the war. I have not been able to
find a photograph of him holding an Olds trombone like this, but
most photos of early bands that he might have played in do not
identify the players. If you have such a photo or reference, please
contact me.
Although this trombone is in excellent condition with attractive
engraving extending the full length of the bell and appropriate finish,
it has been refinished after extensive but careful use. It is marked
"M" for Medium and has a 7" bell. The slide is dual bore: .497/.509"
which is the bore used on many Olds models until the end of
production in 1979.
