Overview
The Olds P-16 is a rare .500 bore jazz tenor trombone produced during the final Fullerton-era years of F.E. Olds & Son. Designed with a lightweight slide and compact bell, the P-16 offers fast response, clear articulation, and a flexible tonal profile suited for jazz and commercial playing.
This particular example, serial number A40532, reflects the model’s consistent design approach—efficient, responsive, and easy to play. Compared to more familiar small-bore instruments such as the King 3B, the P-16 provides a similar level of agility with a slightly different feel and tonal character.
For a complete overview of the Olds P-16 model, including design characteristics and historical context, see our Olds P-16 .500 bore jazz tenor trombone overview:
👉 https://www.thebrass-exchange.com/content/olds-p16-500-bore-jazz-tenor-trombone-vintage-model
The P-16 is part of a broader lineage of innovative trombone designs produced by F.E. Olds & Son during its final decades of operation. Players and collectors interested in exploring related models can browse our Olds Historical Collection for additional context and examples:
👉 https://www.thebrass-exchange.com/archive-of-sold/olds
✦ Historical Perspective
Produced in the 1970s during the Fullerton, California era, the Olds P-16 represents one of the company’s later small-bore jazz designs. By this point, Olds had already established a reputation for innovative trombone construction, and the P-16 reflects a refined approach to lightweight, player-focused performance.
Built around a .500 bore handslide and paired with a 7.5" yellow brass bell, the instrument emphasizes speed, clarity, and ease of articulation. These characteristics make it particularly well suited for lead playing and small ensemble work.
While not as widely known as models like the Olds Super or Recording, the P-16 has developed a reputation among players who appreciate its responsiveness and efficiency.
✦ Condition & Player Notes
This example was in very good playing condition at the time of sale. The handslide remained smooth and precise, supporting clean articulation and consistent response across the range.
The instrument included two removable leadpipes, offering flexibility in resistance and feel depending on the player’s setup. The outer bell lacquer showed expected wear for its age, but the instrument remained structurally sound with no damage affecting playability.
From a player perspective, the P-16 feels immediately comfortable for those familiar with instruments like the King 3B or similar small-bore jazz trombones. It responds easily and offers a balanced, flexible sound suited to a variety of jazz settings.
✦ Olds Leadpipe & Mouthpiece Context
As with many vintage Olds instruments, the P-16 was designed around a specific mouthpiece taper used by the company during this era. While modern small-shank mouthpieces will fit, many players find improved response and balance when using period-correct Olds tapers.
The Brass Exchange maintains a collection of vintage Olds mouthpieces and continues to evaluate how these original designs interact with instruments like the P-16.
📸 Photography From Our Early Archive
The images on this page originate from an earlier phase of The Brass Exchange photography workflow. While newer listings reflect current fine-art photography standards, these images remain a reliable visual reference and document the condition of the instrument at the time of sale.
Questions Trombone Players Often Ask
What makes the Olds P-16 a good choice for jazz players?
The P-16 offers quick response, strong articulation, and a flexible tonal profile, making it well suited for lead and commercial playing.
How does the Olds P-16 compare to a King 3B?
The P-16 provides a similar level of agility and ease of play, with a slightly different feel and tonal response due to its design and construction.
Are multiple leadpipes typical on the Olds P-16?
Some examples include removable leadpipes, allowing players to adjust resistance and response to suit their preferences.
🔧 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.
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📌 Archive Reference & Next Steps
This example is preserved as part of our ongoing documentation of the Olds P-16 model.
Looking to compare models, research a similar instrument, or explore available inventory?
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