Newbie Instrument Care Question

[WildWilly]

After a 60 year hiatus, I've returned to the trumpet. Purchased a new student horn and the the care instructions read as follows" "When the instrument is new, clean piston valves frequently in order to remove the microscopic bits of metal that wear off as you break in the valves. Do this daily for the first two weeks even if the valves are working."

Is this necessary? If so, how do you clean the valves?

Thanking you alll in advance for any and all input.

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

Sounds like a good preventative measure. Do you have a valve brush, snake and mouthpiece brush?
I wash all my trumpets every two weeks. Use the sink with a towel lining the bottom. Take out the slides, valves, caps etc. Make sure all the are felts are out. Also leave the top caps and finger buttons in a dry place.
Place the trumpet and parts in warm water and cover the trumpet with dawn detergent. Soak for a few hours.
When you take out the trumpet,rinse off. Then run a snake through the lead pipe. Soak the valve brush in isopropyl alcohol and clean the interior of valve block. Wipe off valves with soaked microfiber towel. Use a soaked qtip in valve holes and bottom. Clean the bottom caps. Also use the snake, brushes on interior of slides. Then rinse out interior of trumpet. Dry off and dry the trumpet for a few hours. Grease up the slides and put back on. Then bottom caps, assemble valves, oil them and play.
_________________
Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Vincent Bach 5 B short shank mouthpiece

[JayKosta]

I would daily remove each piston and wipe them with a tissue, reinsert the pistons and apply a few drops of valve oil to each one.
Use a Q-tip to clean the interior passages in the pistons .
edit: a soft lint-free cloth or towel works very well. Save your worn-out cotton T-shirts.

If the tissue seems to be unusually dirty, or there any specks of metal, then also clean the interior of the valve casings with a soft tissue. There shouldn't be any sizeable flecks of metal, but you might see a pinpoint sparkle.

After several days / weeks you should begin to notice that the pistons seem to stay clean - so reduce the frequency of cleaning.

I clean mine that way about once a month, with occasional applications of valve oil as is needed.

And yes, it is a good thing to do with a new instrument. There is a 'break-in' period, and the daily cleaning will reveal if there are any problems that need attention beyond cleaning.

A more thorough cleaning shouldn't hurt, but the more often you disassemble and handle the parts increases the risk of accidental damage.

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[zaferis]

Yes, I give that advice for new trumpets. Wipe and oil at every practice or performance setting for the first two weeks, then daily for two weeks, followed by regular oiling (2-3 times per week or more depending upon use) with occassional wipings.
This also builds a good habit of oiling valves.

Cleaning the entire instrument, 2-6 times annually; again depending upon use, environmental factors, and how your chemistry reacts with the instrument.
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[khedger]

You're getting answers to two questions here: your question and the question of general instrument cleaning.
your answer - for a couple of weeks, remove each valve piston, wipe it down with a soft cloth or tissue until there's not oil or residue on it. Re lubricate and replace in the horn.

For general cleaning follow instructions in other responses here....


keith

[cgaiii]

[WildWilly]

Thank you one and all. Wealth of knowledge here.

[deleted_user_687c31b]

That's some useful advice. Since we're here anyway...

...when it comes to vintage trumpets, do you also 'bathe' them regularly? I'm kinda anxious to expose my Olds to that much water on a regular basis...

[Andy Del]

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

Vintage lacquered trumpets soak in warm soapy water. Error on the side of colder. I have taken the finish of vintage trumpet unintentionally and intentionally. Raw brass looks and plays well.
_________________
Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Vincent Bach 5 B short shank mouthpiece

[deleted_user_687c31b]

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

As other posters have stated: Using a snake through the lead pipe, valve brush soaked in isopropyl alcohol, qtips for holes in valves and cleaning bottom is sufficient. Surprises my how dirty many of the used student trumpets are. Also how dirty the mouthpieces were. Wiping down the mouthpieces, trumpet especially where you fingers touch is warranted.
_________________
Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Vincent Bach 5 B short shank mouthpiece

[Aspeyrer]

Is it common to have to “break in” valves and clean them so diligently on most newer trumpets?
I’ve played Bachs and Yamahas out of the box that needed a bit of oil and felt great. Never noticed any debris from the manufacturer. Perhaps, I’ve just been lucky.

What are your experiences?
Sorry to stray a bit off topic.

[adc]

I am leary of using qtips and tissue in the area of the valves. I only use cloth lens wipes. Thats just me.
_________________
Too many Old Cornets to Count

[cheiden]

I've always found it adequate to remove and wipe the pistons with a lint-free cloth and use oil generously. I continue to do that until wiping the valves produces no noticeable debris and then a bit. It might have been on the advice of my teacher, I don't recall exactly but I also got in the habit of putting a good bit of oil down the leadpipe and forcefully blowing it through the horn to help speed up clearing anything that might be lingering there. I know it sounds counter-intuitive to chase anything into the cylinders but I wasn't really expecting there to be, and never found, anything of consequence.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[OldSchoolEuph]

[Bflatman]

What you need to understand is that all materials are rough and not smooth when manufactured. But this roughness is too fine to be observed.

This roughness is microscopic, new glass that looks shiny for example is covered in microscopic lumps that are revealed in a scanning electron micrograph image.

These minute imperfections on the surface of the valves and valve block prevent the smooth and slick running of the valves until the valves are worn in by repeated use.

In effect the valves lap themselves in to the bore and until it is complete a microscopic slurry of oil and valve material and valve block material is released during playing each day.

Once the valves are worn in, this process stops because the valves and valve block are then truly smooth.

It is absolutely necessary to follow the manufacturers guidance in this.

Very small amounts of material are scrubbed away but it is necessary to remove this material as it is released each day of wearing in.

[WildWilly]

Thank You one and all for the responses. I am cleaning and lightly oiling the valves every day. Bought a trumpet care kit and using the snakes and brushes. A wealth of info here and thankful that so many share it.
_________________
Not a 2nd childhood, still in the 1st
Adams A9
Étude ETR-100
Gretsch Pathfinder

[michael_bxl]

What would happen if you don't clean as explained previously ?e

I am worried about horn staying in shops for month, tried by dozen of people and put in the case without being cleaned ?

(extra question : sometimes, parts of the horn blacken. Is this color coming from the worn of the valves coloring other parts ?)
_________________
Yamaha YTR-6335RC
Yamaha YFH-8310ZG

[Croquethed]

All my horns are Getzens. i bought 'em, I oiled 'em. I played 'em.

No problem.