Olds Large Shank Cornet Mouthpieces

Prior to serial number 189,611, Olds cornets had a larger receiver than other standard cornets. In general, this applied to all models made by Olds earlier than September 1956. There are exceptions but they are relatively rare--probably custom orders or aftermarket modifications. Many students have played these large-shank horns with a common standard Bach mouthpiece (or other brand) by putting tape around the shank of the mouthpiece, or by simply inserting the mouthpiece too far and compensating with the tuning slide. Neither solution results in an ideal situation accoustically inside the receiver pipe. Many people, hearing of the great reputation of these horns, pick one up and suddenly find themselves on an unexpected quest for an appropriate mouthpiece. Here are a few I have tried, with my opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative.
Yamaha standard-line flugelhorn mpc Bach standard-line flugelhorn mpc Bach custom Olds-shank cornet mpc Mark Curry custom mouthpiece (IMO the best of the four options I've tried) Other options
	The Yamaha standard-line flugelhorn mouthpieces are probably the cheapest alternative for a new mouthpiece for your large-shank Olds cornet. (I got mine from Mouthpieces Express for around $26 plus shipping). Advantages: price Reasonably close-to-correct shank, with a reasonably close-to-correct length deep V cup (but with a slight curvature--not a pure V). Readily available--no long wait Disadvantages: Shank just a bit too large so it does not insert quite deeply enough, and plays a bit flat. (I can correct for it on all three of my olds cornets but there's not much room to spare on a couple of horns) More limited selection of rims & cups than for the standard cornet mouthpieces Throat hole is VERY large. Perhaps TOO much of a flugelhorn sound--you be the judge Back to top
	The Bach flugelhorn mpc is also readily available ($43 plus shipping at Mouthpieces Express) Advantages: price shank inserts correct depth...an excellent match to the Olds readily available without long wait Throat is a more appropriate diameter for cornet Disadvantages Quite a bit longer than the Olds, so the horn plays quite flat. I cannot fully compensate for this on some of my Olds cornets. You should try before you buy. Even deeper than the Yamaha, this is probably too much of a good thing. My cornets sound more like flugelhorns than cornets. Again, you be the judge. Back to top

	Bach will make a custom mouthpiece to fit the large Olds receiver. Advantages: Correct shank fit and correct length All standard Bach rims and cups are available Disadvantages More expensive (but not too bad, around $50 for my 1-1/2C from Mouthpieces Express) If you want a true V cup, it has to be a two-piece mouthpiece, driving the cost up near $70 from Mouthpieces Express. That's more than I wanted to pay for a mouthpiece that cannot be returned if I don't like it (since it is custom) Prices considerably higher if you order directly from Bach Long wait to receive your mouthpiece (took about three months for mine) Back to top
	Mark Curry (email) (1-800-695-1076) can make a custom mouthpiece that fits well. He actually uses a flugelhorn blank and cuts whatever rim/cup/bore/backbore you specify. IMO this is the best option in the $50 range (my cost direct from Mark, including shipping). Mark also can make a "replica" mouthpiece with the rim/cup/bore/backbore you specify, if you send him an original Olds. Advantages: Excellent fit Top quality mouthpiece construction, to your specifications. Mine is not a true V-shaped cup. Mark calls it a 1-1/2 DC. It is similar to a Bach 1-1/2 B, maybe a bit deeper. Still does sound cornet-like to me. Disadvantages There might be a longer wait than for a stock Bach or Yamaha flugelhorn mpc. However, Mark is much quicker than most custom mouthpiece makers. Once Mark received my original Olds #3 mouthpiece for measurements, he made the new mouthpiece the same day! Back to top
	Thanks to John McBurney for this info and picture! John says that his standard Laskey 68 DB (left) works just fine in the large shank Olds receiver (surprisingly). Next to that is the Warburton Olds large-shank reproduction, which is also a great option. then his Old large shank mouthpiece. All three of those fit fine. The mouthpiece on the right is his standard Bach 7c, which is too small.
	Other options for Olds large-shank mouthpiece replacements Obviously, you could locate another Olds large-shank mouthpiece. It's hard to find anything other than the Olds 3, which is about like a Bach 7B. You will usually need to do some buffing & replating to get it in useable condition. Anyone having information about other options, please send me email so I can share the info here with others. Back to top

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