This instrument has been sold and is presented here as part of our Archive of Sold instruments, maintained as a historical reference for players and collectors researching rare Olds trombone models.
✦ Historical Perspective
The Olds P-16 occupies a unique and increasingly scarce place in American trombone history. Produced only for a brief period before the Olds factory closed, the P-16 represents one of the company’s final explorations into lightweight, high-efficiency jazz tenor design.
Built around a .500 bore lightweight brass handslide and paired with a 7.5" yellow brass bell, the P-16 delivers a fast, energetic response that favors articulation, clarity, and forward projection. Unlike more common small-bore standards, this model offers a distinct playing feel that appeals to professional players looking to step outside the familiar 2B–3B landscape while retaining control and flexibility.
This archived example was in exceptionally clean, super-mint condition at the time of sale. It retained all original parts, original lacquer, and the original case, a rare combination for a vintage instrument of this type. Structurally and mechanically, the trombone required no additional service to improve playability and was already performing at a very high level.
Tonally, the Olds P-16 is known for its sweet, centered sound with strong energy out front, allowing it to project clearly without becoming brittle or thin. Intonation on this model is notably stable, reinforcing its reputation as a serious professional jazz instrument rather than a novelty vintage piece.
✦ Olds Leadpipe & Mouthpiece Taper Context
Vintage Olds trombones are well known among collectors and professional players for their distinctive leadpipe (mouthpipe) tapers, which were engineered specifically to match the taper of Olds mouthpieces produced during the same era. Unlike many modern instruments designed around today’s standardized small-shank dimensions, Olds developed a taper relationship that was intentionally paired to its own mouthpiece line.
An example of the type of mouthpiece this Olds P-16 would have shipped with from the factory is an Olds 3 small shank. While modern small-shank mouthpieces — such as a standard Bach small shank — will physically fit and function, experienced Olds players often find that these instruments respond more freely, center more easily, and feel more balanced when paired with a properly matched Olds-era mouthpiece taper.
This is a detail that serious Olds collectors and long-time players pay close attention to, as correct mouthpiece pairing can noticeably enhance articulation, response, and overall playing feel.
The Brass Exchange maintains a large in-house collection of vintage Olds mouthpieces, representing many of the original tapers used during this period. While these mouthpieces are not yet fully listed online, they are preserved and evaluated as part of our ongoing work with vintage Olds instruments.
We often list vintage and rare mouthpieces in our Accessories section, where period-correct options are documented as they become available. Visit our mouthpiece listings to explore current and archival examples.👉
📸 Photography From Our Early Archive
The photographs shown on this page originate from an earlier stage in the history of The Brass Exchange. Over time, our instrument photography workflow has evolved significantly, with improvements in lighting, backgrounds, and fine-detail capture.
These early images remain part of our archive as an accurate visual record of the instrument and as documentation of the shop’s own progression. While newer listings reflect our current fine-art photography standards, these photos continue to provide reliable reference value for archived instruments.
Questions Trombone Players Often Ask
What makes the Olds P-16 different from more common jazz models?
The P-16 combines a lightweight .500 bore slide with a compact bell and Olds-specific design philosophy, resulting in a feel and response distinct from typical 2B or 3B-style instruments.
Is the Olds P-16 suitable for professional use?
Yes. While rare, the P-16 was built as a serious performance instrument and remains well suited for professional jazz and commercial players.
Why are original-condition examples so uncommon?
Because of their age and limited production run, many P-16s were heavily used or modified. Fully original, well-preserved examples are increasingly difficult to find.
🔧 Availability & Archive Status
This Olds P-16 .500 bore jazz tenor trombone has been sold and is no longer available. Archive of Sold pages are maintained for research, historical reference, and model comparison.
🏅 Why Players Trust The Brass Exchange
Trusted Brass Instrument Specialists Since 2010
For over a decade, The Brass Exchange has worked directly with professional players, educators, and collectors, evaluating and handling thousands of vintage and modern brass instruments. Every instrument is carefully inspected, accurately documented, and presented with transparency — building long-term trust within the brass community.
📌 Archive Reference & Next Steps
This Olds P-16 is preserved here as a historical reference for players researching rare vintage jazz trombones and late-era Olds production.
Looking for a jazz tenor trombone to play now or evaluating the value of a similar vintage instrument? Browse trombones currently available 🔎 or contact us for a valuation and explore your options ✍️ 📌
