Even though I work religiously to keep my horns clean, I also use a professional service to clean them every couple of years, or so. The Herco Spitballs, various cleaning swabs, and my Quick Horn Rinse all do a good job, getting rid of the "green stuff" and generally keeping the horn clean, but they do not deal with the gradual buildup of calcium deposits on valves and tubes, nor do they adequately clean out construction residue (polishing dust, etc.). Plus, as an amateur, I do not have the means to correct solder blobs, make minor repairs, or insure perfect valve alignment that a professional technician does.
Since I have reduced my collection to just three horns (Sterling Virtuoso euphonium and baritone and Adams E3 euphonium), I decided to splurge this winter and all three have been treated to the professional chem clean service at Osmun Music in Acton, MA. Jim Engele and Jim Becker at Osmun's do a fantastic job, but the service is pretty expensive ($259 for a 4 valve compensating horn). My 11 year old Sterling euph needed some solder repairs in addition to cleaning and my 2 1/2 year old Adams had never been professionally cleaned since new so some of the construction residue (polish compound etc.) was still in its innards. I supplied valve felts and guides as necessary since I maintain a supply. I also had all three horns checked for valve alignment upon re-assembly.
Voila! Three like new horns for the New Year. Happy New Year all!
Doug
Last edited by daruby; 01-01-2020 at 10:18 AM.
Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
Concord Band
Winchendon Winds
Townsend Military Band