New Valve Oil to Test!

[davewerden]

I'm someone who has had difficulty with synthetic valve oils. My spit seems to cause the synthetic oils (Hetmann, Yamaha, etc.) to "gunk up." I would be interested if the Houghton Horns oil is any different for people like me.

Are you saying that you do NOT get the gunk with petroleum oil? For me it seems able to show up with either.

[iMav]

Is the "Slide Oil 5" appropriate for trombone slides? (or do they have a product for such usage?)

Also, on my Adams E3, the second valve slide is loose enough that it has simply fallen out a couple of times while playing. Would you recommend the (what I assume to be) thicker tuning slide grease (as opposed to the gel)?

[iMav]

Hopefully, I'll be another happy customer!

[davewerden]

Is the "Slide Oil 5" appropriate for trombone slides? (or do they have a product for such usage?)

I have only just heard of the company, and the only products I have are the 3 shown in the photo. So I'm clueless about the other products.

Also, on my Adams E3, the second valve slide is loose enough that it has simply fallen out a couple of times while playing. Would you recommend the (what I assume to be) thicker tuning slide grease (as opposed to the gel)?

I assume a thicker grease would be the solution, but I don't know how the gel fits in. However, in the category of slide greases I have found that synthetics seems to hold up better, so I'd try a thick synthetic tuning slide lubricant on your 2nd slide.

BTW, I'm assuming your slide is pushed all the way in. There is so little grabbing area on the short leg that the 2nd slides on euphoniums don't do well if they are pulled. On the range of Besson/Sterling/Adams euphoniums I have had, I've experienced 2nd slides that are loose, just right, and tight. The variance seemed greater than on the other valve slides, and stories of 2nd slides coming out during performances are as old as time! So it would be good to experiment and find the right lube for anyone whose 2nd slide is loose.

BTW2, in cases where the 2nd slide is tight, I still like a synthetic lube, though a thinner one would be good. But in the event the 2nd slide gets stuck, it is possible to hold the horn somewhat level and blow the water through to the main slide. In that sense, a stuck 2nd slide is not as "fatal" to a performance as is a loose one that falls out!

[iMav]

Yes, the slide is all the way in.

I will try a thicker grease.

[mbrooke]

Is the "Slide Oil 5" appropriate for trombone slides? (or do they have a product for such usage?)

Also, on my Adams E3, the second valve slide is loose enough that it has simply fallen out a couple of times while playing. Would you recommend the (what I assume to be) thicker tuning slide grease (as opposed to the gel)?

Hi Larry,

With regard to Hetmans, the Hetmans 7.5 is better than Hetmans 8 (which is the grease). The 8 is more solid, but it is much less sticky and much slicker than the 7.5. This Houghton product appears to come in only a 7 and 8 (which supposedly corresponds to Hetmans 7 and 8), so I would go for the Houghton 7 or just use Hetmans 7.5.

Mike

[enhite]

Are you saying that you do NOT get the gunk with petroleum oil? For me it seems able to show up with either.

The "gunk" I get from using synthetic oils is more immediate. Of course petroleum based oils can cause build up, but, for me at least, it occurs over a longer time period.