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Dollarhide's
Music and Sound
Maintenance Recommendations
By Floyd Replogle
Brass instruments
with Rotors:
French Horn, Trigger Trombones, Tubas
EVERY DAY -
Glance
at the instrument to check for loose or missing parts. Check the cork stop
plate for missing screws or stop corks.
Check
for looseness of strings, screws, and rotor end caps. MOVE THE TUNING
SLIDES EVERY DAY - EVEN A HALF-INCH BACK AND FORTH. A major repair problem
with tuning slides is that they are "frozen" from corrosion.
Keeping them properly lubricated with slide grease and moving them every day
will help eliminate costly repairs.
Carefully
place the instrument in the case, checking for weak or broken case latches.
avoid placing excessive amounts of "stuff" in the case that might
damage the instrument. French horns and trigger trombones are lightly built
and books, etc. can bend the thin metal.
DO
NOTs -
Do
not place the mouthpiece in the lead pipe and "pop" it with the
palm of the hand to drive it in. Carefully "twist" or screw the
mouthpiece in place. Remove the mouthpiece by "unscrewing"
it with a twisting motion. Mouthpieces "driven" in the
receiver get wedged in by dust particles and require a mouthpiece puller to
get them out without damage.
Do
not attempt to remove a stuck mouthpiece by twisting with pliers, door jamb,
vise, or any other device other than a mouthpiece puller made for the job.
Do
not place the instrument on a music stand, chair, bed, or other surface from
where it can fall or where it can be sat upon. Most instruments are damaged
from falling or being dropped or being crushed. Always hold the instrument,
have it held by another player, or put it in the case.
Do
not use abrasive polish on lacquered brass, silver or nickel finishes.
Abrasive polish remove the protective lacquer finish and promotes dulling of
the finish. Overuse of polish causes unattractive accumulation between the
valves and is difficult to properly remove.
Do
not allow bumper felts under the valves become water-soaked.
Do
not wash the mouthpiece or instrument in water that is so hot you cannot
place your hand in it. Use liquid soap and avoid getting the felts and corks
soaked.
DOs
-
Protect
the rotors and slides from being dropped during oiling or cleaning. Rotors
are generally very delicate and can easily be bent and ruined.
Do
keep a small soft cotton cloth in the instrument case or available to wipe
fingerprints off the instrument. A few drops of plain water on the cloth
will help clean fingerprints off the instrument.
Do
learn to properly lubricate the rotors and tuning slides. Grease the tuning
slides monthly and be sure to move them back and forth every time the
instrument is played. Slide grease not only lubricates the moving parts but
also coats the inner slide - reducing oxidation - and helps avoid
"rusting" or corrosion caused by bi-metal contact.
RECOMMENDED
ACCESSORIES:
Handkerchief-size
soft cleaning cloth (periodically cleaned in the clothes washer)
Rotor
oil (use sparingly)
Tuning
slide grease (use sparingly)
Lacquer
polish (made for lacquered brass instruments - non-abrasive - NOT BRASS
POLISH)
Silver
polish (use sparingly - made for silver plated instruments - non- abrasive)
Mouthpiece
brush Brass instrument "snake" brush for cleaning bore of
instrument
Mouthpiece
pouch (protects mouthpiece from scratches, dings)
MOST
COMMON REPAIR PROBLEMS:
Missing parts from rotor cork stop plate or levers
Broken solder joints
Stuck slides
Lack of rotor lubrication and corrosion
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