Storing your horn

[Jmac]

I’m a trombone player new to trumpet so please excuse the question if I should know this. Is there a best way or proper way of storing your horn so the moisture drains? I currently put mine back in the case and I think the bell faces down. When I take the horn out to play it usually has spit leftover in it. If I leave my trombone on the stand I have the same problem. I usually take the outer slide off and let it drain. I just don’t want my horn to have problems down the road because I could have done something different. Thanks

[Craig Swartz]

If the instrument is kept in an environment where it will warm and cool, and the temp differences need not be too extreme, you'll end up with condensation inside anyway... Oil the pistons, grease the slides, I always put a tiny dab of slide grease on the top and bottom valve caps and then put a few drops of valve oil in the mouthpiece receiver and blow like hell through the pipe, moving the pistons rapidly until it looks like there is smoke coming out of the bell. Then put it away. Good luck.

[shofarguy]

There is a product called Blow-Dry Brass that swabs and dries the entire trumpet with a sponge pellet (called a "bit") soaked in 99% Isopropyl alcohol. I have used it and never have residual condensation in my horns afterward. It is important to use 99% IPA, though, as lesser concentrations are diluted with water.
_________________
Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

[dstdenis]

Here's a suggestion for you: When I'm finished playing, I blow out all the water I can, then I pull a leadpipe swab through the leadpipe and tuning slide a few times to remove excess water. Then I lightly oil the valves to replace the water in the casings with fresh oil, put the trumpet in a trumpet bag I made with anti-tarnish cloth, pull the drawstring and put it in the case. The bag collects any leftover water or oil that otherwise might drip out into the case (which is what causes that funky smell in old cases).

Tim Wendt sells a leadpipe swab in the Trumpet Herald marketplace; that's what I use:
https://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=101055&s=The-Best-Damn-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-Period-
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Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi

[giakara]

[cbtj51]

[Brad361]

+3 for Tim Wendt’s leadpipe swabs, they work GREAT.
I think that’s maybe the single best way (never tried Blow Dry Brass) to help
prevent red rot, along with oil down the leadpipe .

Brad

[silverhorn]

Leadpipe swabs such as Tim Wendt's work great as well as Blow Dry Brass. I have used both. I too like to squirt some valve oil down the leadpipe and blow through to coat the tubing and prevent red rot.

[LittleRusty]

I wonder if just putting oil in the lead pipe and blowing to spread it through the horn really makes a difference. At least in the lead pipe. It most likely will not spread much to the sides or top of the pipe.

Not arguing about doing it, just wondering if it really makes a measurable/quantifiable difference.

[Brad361]

[yourbrass]

[jgadvert]

Wow. Interesting responses. Elaborate procedures and gizmos. Takes too much time. Just blow out as much as you can with the spit valves. At least once a day until the inside dries up...and go do something else with your time. I've learned the hard way to always keep all slides lubricated.

I can't imagine snaking out my tubing daily. My horn is a tool. Like a wrench. When it goes, I get another one.

I am not actually sure how long it takes a new leadpipe to seriously corrode. Got to be years.

[Craig Swartz]

[Brad361]

[Jmac]

Thanks for all the tips! I do play everyday so maybe a little moisture in the horn isn’t the end of the world. I clean my horns regularly too. I do own a beautiful old King 3b (trombone) that has a little red rot in the crook. I’m assuming it’s there because someone stored it with moisture in it. I’m just trying to do what I can, within reason, to prevent that. The 3b is from the early 60’s so maybe it’s just the aging process. I think I’m gonna give the swab with the string a try.

[Louise Finch]