I am growing increasingly frustrated at my tuning slide trigger mechanism. I have a relatively new Sterling Virtuoso Custom, and this sticking is driving me crazy. It doesn't gum up every time I use it, but it has at the worst times. There's no way this horn should already be having issues. I can confirm that there has been no damage to the horn. I currently use Denis Wick Ultra Pure Linkage and Lever Key Oil. Am I missing something with the screws on the assembly? Thanks for the help!
Sponsor Banner
Collapse
Sterling Virtuoso Main Tuning Slide Trigger Sticking
Collapse
X
-
When I had a triggered Sterling, I used trombone slide cream. Oils and greases were sticking, but the slide cream worked great. I had to add a little every few days, and I cleaned and re-creamed it every couple weeks or so.Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
-
-
What part of the trigger is sticking? If it's the slide then Dave's suggestion should do the trick. If it's something more mechanical then you might want to reach out to Paul Riggett.James Kircoff
Genesee Wind Symphony - principal euphonium (Adams E3 Custom .60mm yellow brass bell w/ K&G 3.5)
Capital City Brass Band (2019 NABBA 2nd section champions) - 1st baritone (Besson BE956 w/ Denis Wick 6BY)
Comment
-
-
As far as trigger slides go, on my horn the usual suspects would guarantee sticking every session. This works very well on ALL slides:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPER-LUBE-...from=R40&rt=nc
DDG
Comment
-
-
I'm pretty confident it's the slide (not the main tuning slide, but the one attached to the main tuning slide). On another note, my 4th valve is awful noisy. I have Mead springs in all my valves, but the 4th is the only noisy one.Ben Dawley
Music Director
Solo Euphonium, Five Lakes Metro Brass Band
Besson Prestige 2052 (Gold)
Shires Q41S (Medium Shank)
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by bdawley81 View PostI'm pretty confident it's the slide (not the main tuning slide, but the one attached to the main tuning slide). On another note, my 4th valve is awful noisy. I have Mead springs in all my valves, but the 4th is the only noisy one.James Kircoff
Genesee Wind Symphony - principal euphonium (Adams E3 Custom .60mm yellow brass bell w/ K&G 3.5)
Capital City Brass Band (2019 NABBA 2nd section champions) - 1st baritone (Besson BE956 w/ Denis Wick 6BY)
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by jkircoff View PostWhich part of the valve compression / release cycle is noisy? Most of the time in my experience noisy valves result from felts that are worn out and need replacement. A relatively new instrument could need felt replacement if it's heavily used.Ben Dawley
Music Director
Solo Euphonium, Five Lakes Metro Brass Band
Besson Prestige 2052 (Gold)
Shires Q41S (Medium Shank)
Comment
-
-
When an instrument is stored in its case in typical fashion, the 4th valve is at the bottom. Water will probably soak up the felt on top of the piston and make it noisy. First thing to check is just to remove the piston and press on the felt/pad on top of the piston with your finger. If it squishes, there's your answer.Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
Comment
-
-
Tuning slide trigger and noisy valves
Some tips on servicing your Sterling.
First: I have gotten fantastic results on my 9 year old Sterling's tuning slide trigger mechanism by:
- Extremely thorough cleaning of the the slide and the receiving tubes the slide goes into. I use hot soapy water to clean the slide and an old t-shirt and Brass-Saver cleaning brush to swab out the tubes.
- When the horn was new, I used Wright's Silver Cream to polish the legs of the tuning slide to ensure smoother action. This must be done judiciously as you are not trying to "hone" the fit, just get a smoother action.
- I use Hetman #6 slide oil on the slide and on any pivot points. It doesn't washout easily. I found trombone creme a bit too light after it got wet.
Second: I use standard Besson-style finger button, top cap, and piston felts. The piston and finger button felts are synthetic and are receptive to being washed in hot soapy water and dried out to get rid of accumulated oil and moisture. I change the felts out about once a year. I purchase replacement supplies each year on my trips to England when I am at IBBSS, but they are readily available via eBay as well.
Third: For the fourth valve, it accumulates moisture more than the other three so felt cleaning/replacement is more important. Also, I bend the tab holding the valve in just a bit so that the valve is held slightly off the valve cap, thus not compressing the felts.
I might mention, that all three of the service procedures I describe above were also done on my Besson Prestige and the second two on ALL euphoniums I have owned since my 1980 Sovereign. Also, I use Mead Springs on my Sterling as well.Last edited by daruby; 08-08-2018, 03:32 PM.Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
Comment
-
Originally posted by davewerden View PostWhen I had a triggered Sterling, I used trombone slide cream. Oils and greases were sticking, but the slide cream worked great. I had to add a little every few days, and I cleaned and re-creamed it every couple weeks or so.Last edited by Jasonium; 10-11-2018, 10:15 AM.Yamaha Neo 642TSII
Denis Wick SM4 Ultra X
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Jasonium View PostDid mix water with it like a trombone player would?Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece DC3, Wick 4AL, Wick 4ABL
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
Comment
-
-
Tuning your Sterling trigger!
Ben,
The issue here with Euphonium triggers is not just lubrication, but also cleanliness and how it is serviced. Here is how I got the trigger on my Sterling to work smooth as silk (did the same to my brand new 2007 Besson 2051 Prestige as well). I repeat this service about once a year.
- The legs of the tuning slide will get corrosion and micro scratches over time which increases stiction. (Bad)
- Disconnect the linkage and remove the slide.
- I clean (first) then polish the legs of the tuning slide using Wrights Silver creme to make sure all corrosion is gone and they are very smooth. Don't do this on a triggerless horn unless you want the slides to fall out.
- I clean the receiving ferrules using an old T-shirt and Brass Saver brush. This insures that all old greasy, dirty oil, etc. has been removed.
- I use Hetman #5 Slide oil on the tuning slide and linkage. I put some on one leg of the slide, then stick the leg in the horn all the way, turning the slide back and forth as I do so that the slide and receiver are well oiled. Do the other leg. Now put the slide in and reconnect the linkage.
- The slide action should be good and not catch, however it may be somewhat sluggish as Hetman #5 is kind of thick. I then use Hetman #1 valve oil (just a drop or two) to lightly dilute the slide oil until trigger action is perfect. I also use #5 on the ball joints.
I have never used trombone creme on my euphonium triggers because it washes out too quickly. I like Hetman #5 (with or without dilution) because it lasts a long time and is somewhat impervious to washing out.
Any micro-abrasion or dirt that roughens the surfaces between the slide and receiver walls will eventually cause the slide to "catch". Please keep in mind that even the slightest mis-alignment may cause the tuning slide to cock in the receivers and catch. Since my horn has the Besson style belly pan (without Besson's heavy braces), I have to remove and re-install the belly pan carefully so it doesn't misalign the receivers.
DougAdams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
Comment
-
Originally posted by bdawley81 View PostI'm pretty confident it's the slide (not the main tuning slide, but the one attached to the main tuning slide). On another note, my 4th valve is awful noisy. I have Mead springs in all my valves, but the 4th is the only noisy one.Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by daruby View PostBen,
The issue here with Euphonium triggers is not just lubrication, but also cleanliness and how it is serviced. Here is how I got the trigger on my Sterling to work smooth as silk (did the same to my brand new 2007 Besson 2051 Prestige as well). I repeat this service about once a year.
- The legs of the tuning slide will get corrosion and micro scratches over time which increases stiction. (Bad)
- Disconnect the linkage and remove the slide.
- I clean (first) then polish the legs of the tuning slide using Wrights Silver creme to make sure all corrosion is gone and they are very smooth. Don't do this on a triggerless horn unless you want the slides to fall out.
- I clean the receiving ferrules using an old T-shirt and Brass Saver brush. This insures that all old greasy, dirty oil, etc. has been removed.
- I use Hetman #5 Slide oil on the tuning slide and linkage. I put some on one leg of the slide, then stick the leg in the horn all the way, turning the slide back and forth as I do so that the slide and receiver are well oiled. Do the other leg. Now put the slide in and reconnect the linkage.
- The slide action should be good and not catch, however it may be somewhat sluggish as Hetman #5 is kind of thick. I then use Hetman #1 valve oil (just a drop or two) to lightly dilute the slide oil until trigger action is perfect. I also use #5 on the ball joints.
I have never used trombone creme on my euphonium triggers because it washes out too quickly. I like Hetman #5 (with or without dilution) because it lasts a long time and is somewhat impervious to washing out.
Any micro-abrasion or dirt that roughens the surfaces between the slide and receiver walls will eventually cause the slide to "catch". Please keep in mind that even the slightest mis-alignment may cause the tuning slide to cock in the receivers and catch. Since my horn has the Besson style belly pan (without Besson's heavy braces), I have to remove and re-install the belly pan carefully so it doesn't misalign the receivers.
DougLast edited by Jasonium; 10-19-2018, 12:38 AM.Yamaha Neo 642TSII
Denis Wick SM4 Ultra X
Comment
-
Originally posted by daruby View PostSome tips on servicing your Sterling.
First: I have gotten fantastic results on my 9 year old Sterling's tuning slide trigger mechanism by:
- Extremely thorough cleaning of the the slide and the receiving tubes the slide goes into. I use hot soapy water to clean the slide and an old t-shirt and Brass-Saver cleaning brush to swab out the tubes.
- When the horn was new, I used Wright's Silver Cream to polish the legs of the tuning slide to ensure smoother action. This must be done judiciously as you are not trying to "hone" the fit, just get a smoother action.
- I use Hetman #6 slide oil on the slide and on any pivot points. It doesn't washout easily. I found trombone creme a bit too light after it got wet.
Second: I use standard Besson-style finger button, top cap, and piston felts. The piston and finger button felts are synthetic and are receptive to being washed in hot soapy water and dried out to get rid of accumulated oil and moisture. I change the felts out about once a year. I purchase replacement supplies each year on my trips to England when I am at IBBSS, but they are readily available via eBay as well.
Third: For the fourth valve, it accumulates moisture more than the other three so felt cleaning/replacement is more important. Also, I bend the tab holding the valve in just a bit so that the valve is held slightly off the valve cap, thus not compressing the felts.
I might mention, that all three of the service procedures I describe above were also done on my Besson Prestige and the second two on ALL euphoniums I have owned since my 1980 Sovereign. Also, I use Mead Springs on my Sterling as well.John 3:16
Conn Victor 5H Trombone
Yamaha 354 Trombone
Conn 15I Euphonium
Comment
Comment