A tale of a future music ed major and TWO Bessons
Originally posted by: daruby
Originally posted by: Eupher6 ...All had issues with the valves bedding in, though admittedly this Virtuoso was dirtier than the others during that process. Just the nature of the beast. With enough cleaning and steady, regular practice, the problem went away and the valves are the best I've ever had on any horn. Bottom line is, I know what's happening with my horns. When they're dirty, I clean 'em. It's really that simple.
There are two threads and I have already replied to the O.P., however I wanted to comment on the need to clean a new horn multiple times. I just purchased a new Virtuoso 18 mos. ago. Previous to this I had a nearly new Besson (pre-owned for less than 6 mos and never washed by the previous owner). The Sterling was much dirtier (internally) than the Besson's and Yamaha's I have tried. Having been to the shop where these are hand made, the issue is that Paul Riggett and crew buff the horns both before and after they go out for plating. After that, they assemble them for shipment. The buffing rouge/powder that is in the air gets through the horn, settles, and then solidifies in the internal tubing. Paul does not have the facilities to give the horns a complete "bath" prior to shipment. Since the outside finish is in pristine shape and since he doesn't oil the horns prior to shipment (they ship dry to keep from gumming up in shipment or storage), they go right into a plastic bag and shipping material to be sent to the customer. The black buffing dust does not wash completely clean with just soap and water. Valve oil will tend to act as a solvent and the black crud continues to come out of the leadpipe, valves, and tubing through several wash and rinse cycles. It took me about 6 mnonths and 3 or so bath cycles to get my Virtuoso through its break-in. Not all horns require as much work as the Sterlings, but the need to carefully clean the horns duiring breakin is still an issue that I would be cocnerned about. Doug
Thanks for your comments, Doug. Puts a great deal of perspective on this tiny sidebar issue.
U.S. Army, Retired (built mid-1950s)
Adams E2 Euph (built 2017)
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euph (built 1941)
Edwards B454 Bass Trombone (built 2012)
Boosey & Hawkes Imperial Eb tuba (built 1958)
Kanstul 33-T lBBb tuba (built 2010)