Wind instrument

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

How to free a seized 2nd valve slide on a trumpet some suggestions to soak in vinegar and or use boiling water.

It's a trumpet on the lower end of the price range but is not very old but been unused for a few years.

Excessive heat has to be avoided due to the soft soldered parts.

Any non damaging suggestions please.

Paul

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

[Phil H 1Participant @philh1]

Hi, Interesting snag.

I assume you have managed to unscrew the bottom cap of the valve housing and the top of the valve (the sort of piston gland) so you can add soapy water to the actual valve ends? Also try removing the middle, short slide that connects to that valve to give greater access along the body of the valve and of course the 1st and 3rd valves and their tuning slides?

I played during my school years and I was lucky enough to always have THE best quality Boosey and Hawkes Sovereign silver plated instruments (the best in the world at the time – made in England of course).

Some people proposed the use of valve oil and all sorts of daft cleaning agents e.g., brasso!!! or silver polish but the way to clean an instrument is to use warm soapy water – preferably the bath. Try removing as many components as possible – slides etc and give it a hot soapy bath. The seizure might well have been caused by the use of the dreaded, nasty, valve oil.

PhilH

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Thank you PhilH I'm not a musician but like listening and since making a part for my friends antique trumpet have learnt more about wind instuments.

It's 2nd valve slide (a short U shaped pipe) not the actual valve that has seized.

Paul

Edited By Windy on 21/08/2014 15:14:19

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Windy I was a bass trombone player for many years I would remove the 2nd valve and soak in either hot water or vinegar In the army we used to wash with amonia to remove the verdigris that forms inside you could try that as well It will need a thorough washing after best of luck and don't force it

Roy

[Phil H 1Participant @philh1]

Paul, Ahh I see you are lucky If it is just the tuning slide. Id still try the hot soapy water bath first but I agree with Roy – don't be too brutal with it.

PhilH

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

I'd definitely go for the hot soapy water approach to start –

I do have a silver plated Bb Cornet somewhere, haven't seen it in a decade or so…probably needs a long soak in hot soapy water by now

Steve

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Thanks all might get another concert in the garage last time my ex military neighbour joined in when working on a friends wind instrument great when you get live music while you work.

Paul

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