Really Cleaning Your Horn

[daruby]

Spring Cleaning

On the Besson and York horns, the spring dampers are a rubber washer that fits in the bottom valve cap and another (different one) that fits in the bottom of the valve. The spring seats in these two rubber washers so that theoretically, there is no metal to metal contact between spring and valve. It not only quiets the valve, but theoretically should reduce valve bounce, allowing lighter springs to be used.

Doug

[davewerden]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Restoring a thread that lost its way!

[RickF]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

I gave my euph a good bath today in the tub using Dawn dish washing detergent. I'm always amazed at what comes out of the horn in spite of always 'brushing my teeth B4 playing'.

I used a new snake that I bought when at NABBA a couple of weeks ago. It has a bristle brush at both ends with a rubber coating over the cable to prevent scratching. It was perfect for the lead-pipe... but wouldn't make turns through all of the tubing turns. The 'Brass Savers' still worked great for these turns.

I then polished the silver finish paying particular attention to the 'valve cluster' this time (sometimes this area gets omitted by me). Hagerty's Spray silver polish worked really well here then using strips of soft rag to run through the cracks and crevices. Even seems to play better now.

[bearphonium]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Getting me all motivated to clean my tuba! First time with a silver horn, though.

[Tonya]

Really Cleaning Out Your Horn

Originally posted by: RickFWhat surprised me though was when I turned on the hose, a small lizard shot out through the lead-pipe and scampered away. For a second I said, "What the... ?". Then I realized the lizard was in the garden hose looking for a cool place to stay

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I just about spit coffee all over my keyboard. Some of these older threads are hilarious. I'm not sure I could play the horn again after seeing a lizard shoot out of it.

[Snorlax]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Originally posted by: daruby

I have done this several times. Once when I was cleaning a silver 2280 in the hot tub at a hotel in Michigan!
Doug

Doug, I really think you're a GREAT guy and a GREAT player, but that is the wimpiest use I have EVER heard for a hot tub in a motel!!!

[daruby]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Originally posted by: Snorlax

Doug, I really think you're a GREAT guy and a GREAT player, but that is the wimpiest use I have EVER heard for a hot tub in a motel!!!

Hey it was Muskegon!....

[Snorlax]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Originally posted by: daruby

Originally posted by: Snorlax
Doug, I really think you're a GREAT guy and a GREAT player, but that is the wimpiest use I have EVER heard for a hot tub in a motel!!! [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

Hey it was Muskegon!....

'Nuff said.

[prototypedenNIS]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

You're lucky it wasn't a Hot Tub Time Machine!

[RickF]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Don't know how many read Dave Werden's blog, but he recently reviewed a new product for cleaning out your horn. It's called the 'QHR' (Quick Horn Rinse with Sudser). It has a built-in dispenser where you can add detergent and and a valve to control how much detergent is added to the forced stream of water. I just ordered one today as this looks very useful. Thanks Dave for this review. AND... there was no shipping charge when I ordered mine (at least so far).

Here's a link:
QHR

[daruby]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Originally posted by: RickF

Don't know how many read Dave Werden's blog, but he recently reviewed a new product for cleaning out your horn. It's called the 'QHR' (Quick Horn Rinse with Sudser). It has a built-in dispenser where you can add detergent and and a valve to control how much detergent is added to the forced stream of water. I just ordered one today as this looks very useful. Thanks Dave for this review. AND... there was no shipping charge when I ordered mine (at least so far). Here's a link:

QHR

I ordered mine about 10 minutes after Dave posted his link and received mine last Thursday. Very quick shipment. It has been raining and I want to use this outside so I haven't had a chance yet, but the device seems well built. Can't wait to try since my Sterling really needs a cleaning!

Doug

[RickF]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

I got to try out my new QHR today. It worked pretty well and only took about 15 mins. With the added soap, a couple of slides blew out (1 & 2), but I kind of expected that. No big deal as I did this on my front lawn. The only regret is I couldn't use warm water since it was from a hose in the front yard. But, still seemed to do a pretty good job. (Maybe it rinsed out a bad note or two but not sure.)

[davewerden]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Originally posted by: RickF ...a couple of slides blew out (1 & 2), but I kind of expected that.

I'm not sure how to handle the first valve slide issue, but there is an easy fix for the 2nd slide. Get an old-fashioned eraser (Pink Pearl type) and trim it a bit on the ends until it fits tightly between the inner tubes of the 1st and 3rd slide, fitted up against the bottom of the 2nd slide.

And/or you could try a little more soak time and a little less water pressure!

It hasn't been a problem on my Sterling. The 2nd valve has the Amado water key, so I'm not constantly pulling that slide. It tends to get a little stuck from lack of movement, and water pressure is not going to blow it out.

[RickF]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

Thanks Dave. I'll have to try that.

Oh, the 1st slide that blew out was the comp slide - as I had the 4th valve locked down. I wasn't clear.

BTW, I know this quick rinse is no substitute for an annual cleaning at my local tech shop.

[RWiegand]

Really Cleaning Your Horn

I received mine a few days ago and really like the design and manufacturing quality. I was expecting something a little less "nice" - fwiw...It will be a little while before I give it a try since I am entering my Band's summer concert schedule. I like to keep a clean horn and expect this will do the trick.