Cleaning a Bach Strat 37

ashenfang · Regular Member Joined: 10 Oct 2018 Posts: 15

Long story short - the valves in this horn have considerable tarnish on the brass stem of the valve, and moderate scale/buildup in the valve ports. Washing with soap and water did nothing. I have read that soaking the valves in white vinegar for 15-20 minutes, followed by a 10 minute bath in baking soda will loosen these deposits. I have read the same process can be done with the entire horn. Anybody have luck with this process? (BTW, wasn't sure which forum to put this under)

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:17 pm Post subject:

I'd find a good local tech or send it off to one. Heavy deposits can be hard to clean properly.
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

zaferis · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject:

Yes, find a good tech that can "chem clean" or "sonic clean" the instrument.

Then take some lessons in maintenance... there are simple steps that will prevent the need for this kind of cleaning.
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

ashenfang · Regular Member Joined: 10 Oct 2018 Posts: 15

Thanks for the replies. I know how to care for a horn but this one is an 80’s era Strat given to me. It sat in the case for over a decade which led to the need for a deeper cleaning.

cbtj51 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 5:12 pm Post subject:

That's what techs do! The good ones are worth the $ that you spend and most often, much, much more. Do it yourself, in my experience, costs a whole lot more (the aggravation is the coup de grace)! Save yourself the time and all of the unnecessary frustration, let a professional do it correctly and be done with it!!!
_________________
'71 LA Benge 5X Bb
'72 LA Benge D/Eb
'76 Bach CL 229/25A C
‘92 Bach 37 Bb
'98 Getzen 895S Flugelhorn
'00 Bach 184 Cornet
'02 Yamaha 8335RGS
'16 Bach NY 7
'16 XO 1700RS Piccolo
Reeves 41 Rimmed Mouthpieces

Crazy Finn · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:12 pm Post subject:

Speed · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 5:24 am Post subject:

I bought a used Selmer CG a few months ago (which was manufactured at the Bach factory). The outside was very nice, but the inside was nasty - the worst I've ever seen. It was full of green stuff.

After a warm water and Dawn bath did nothing of consequence, I soaked the disassembled horn, with the felts removed from the valves, in a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water. I let it soak all afternoon, then rinsed it with warm water and Dawn dishwashing liquid.

It helped, but I ultimately took it in for a chem clean.

While the vinegar/water bath didn't clean it as well as I had hoped, it certainly did no harm. Perhaps a stronger mixture or a longer soak would have helped more.

Take care,
Marc Speed

Yamahaguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3992

+1...especially with stuck valves and slides, leave it to a tech to remedy.
A good chem clean and polish should be under $100. And be careful with
ultra-sonic cleans too, if done improperly can loosen solder joints and such.