F.E. Olds & son "Ambassador" (1970)

This is an Ambassador Alto Horn in F, manufactured by the renowned F.E. Olds & Son company in 1970. Bearing the serial number 745989, this specific instrument was originally supplied from the factory with two separate, interchangeable main tuning slides to allow playing in both F and E♭. Unfortunately, the E♭ slide has been lost over the decades, leaving the horn configuration strictly in F. I specifically acquired this piece because no serious alto horn collection is truly complete without at least one front-bell, front-action model. It remains in excellent, fully playable condition.

While instruments of this specific style were historically dismissed or pigeonholed as mere 'peck horns'—relegated strictly to pumping out basic off-beat rhythmic accompaniments in traditional marching bands—this Ambassador proves to be highly capable of playing beautiful, fluid melodies as well.