Herco Spitballs

[gunnarerikc]

I know, nothing beats a real cleaning of your horn. But what's your thought on using Herco Spitballs? Do they really work to (somewhat) clean your horn? Am I giving into "marketing" by buying these?
_________________
Gunnar Christensen
1976 L.A. Benge 3X+
1971 F. E. Olds Ambassador
"If I could Play like Wynton Marsalis I would without a doubt, 100% play like Wynton Marsalis" -Me

[HERMOKIWI]

Spitballs are very effective if used regularly.
_________________
HERMOKIWI

[mike ansberry]

I also use them regularly.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

[stuartissimo]

Can't speak for spitballs directly, but I use its alternate product (BlowDryBrass) and it's very effective in keeping the horn clean. I imagine using spitballs daily has a similar positive effect.
_________________
1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces

[zaferis]

Yes, spit balls, or BlowDry, extend the time between thorough cleanings and really help to keep the slime from growing inside the instrument.
I use them regularly after gigs and long practice days, that the trumpets don't sit for a length of time with moisture inside.

Hints: Push the sponge past the mouthpiece receiver, into the leadpipe with a mouthpiece brush, pencil, straw, or the BlowDrySwab (makes it easier to blow the sponge through), be sure to depress the valves all the way down (part way will get a sponge stuck), refresh the fluid with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and at each use multiple times (valves up, valves down)
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[huntman10]

I have used spitballs several years back, but being a bit of a miser, I had a stash of spitballs that were old, and started falling apart leaving "crumbs" in the horn. Before they fell apart, they were pretty effective at keeping the horn free of odor and looking shiny inside. Since then, I have taken to leaving my horn on a stand in my practice room to dry as well as swabbing the leadpipe. If I am putting the horn away for some time, I pull the slides to dry inside the case.

I also had another experience, having bought a really new looking Market ng Master model cornet very cheaply because it just didn't play well. When I received it, I did a thorough flush with Dawn detergent and cleaned all the slides. It really didn't "sing" until I once again flushed and brushed it out and found a grungy spitball lodged in the 90 degree elbow that enters from the underslung tuning slide into the third valve cylinder. I guess the point of this is to blow the spitball forcefully, have a towel or cloth to catch it, and toss them before they wear out.
_________________
huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

[trpthrld]

Herco Spitballs have been a regular part of my horn cleaning ritual for well over 50 years.

One thing I do is when I open a new jar I empty out the liquid that comes with them. I rinse them fully with warm water, squeeze them dry and leave the jar open for a few hours so they can completely dry. After I've Used a couple to clean a horn I rinse them with warm water, let them dry, put them back and close up the jar.

I've used a single jar for years because I don't do the blow them through once with the original liquid and then throw it away.

I do suggest you push it down into the receiver an inch or so before blowing. A pencil or mouthpiece brush works fine for this. That little bit of back pressure helps a lot.

Another thing is I prefer the trombone size spitballs. After I've done the "new jar" procedure above and they've dried, I cut them in half width-wise. They're a little bit bigger than the trumpet Spitballs. I've never had any problems with them easily going through any of my horns, including a .413 bore flugelhorn.

If you're looking for a big-name trumpet endorser, Buddy Childers always had a jar of dry Spitballs in his case. After he finished a rehearsal, performance or session he'd blow a couple through his horns before they went back in their case.
_________________
Tim Wendt

www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146827&s=The-Best-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-EVER--

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPWAJqghk24&feature=youtu.be

[gunnarerikc]

Thanks so much for the info. This really helps.
_________________
Gunnar Christensen
1976 L.A. Benge 3X+
1971 F. E. Olds Ambassador
"If I could Play like Wynton Marsalis I would without a doubt, 100% play like Wynton Marsalis" -Me

[gregplo]

I have found BlowDry Brass to be a better working solution, as have a number of other trumpet players I know. I know a Physician who switched because the BlowDry Brass uses Isopropyl Alcohol as the liquid...and she likes that for the germ killing function.
_________________
Best Regards,
Greg
Edwards Gen II
P. Mauriat PMT-75 (Ti/Copper)
Conn 61B
Benge 90B
Conn 80B LB
CarolBrass Arturo Sandoval Pocket Trumpet
CarolBrass CFL-620R
Getzen CB 610

Remember...when He returns, the trumpet shall sound....

[herringbur]

Spitballs are quite effective when used on a daily basis.

[Jeff_Purtle]

I get my horns serviced by Rich Ita in Atlanta and he always recommends them. I don't always use them but I clean my main trumpet about once a week. I sometimes use them on that horn but I always blow one through my Schilke P5-4 piccolo when cleaning that because there is no way to take the 2nd valve slide off since it's soldered to the horn.

I also blow valve oil through my horns after cleaning them so junk is less likely to stick and easier to clean kind of like putting oil on cast iron frying pan. I've never had an issue with red rot (i.e. de-zincification). I also sometimes use a test tube brush in the lead pipe.

Here's a funny high speed video I did on cleaning to show what I do in less than 60 seconds since it's all sped up.

https://www.purtle.com/trumpet-cleaning
_________________
Jeff Purtle
Trumpet Lessons Online since 2004, teaching since 1983
MultiTouch book on Claude Gordon
+1 864-354-3223 iPhone w/ FaceTime
Skype: jeff_purtle

[Rhondo]

[Jeff_Purtle]

Just use whatever you normally use. The point is clean it often and the oil can’t hurt. I repairman suggested it years ago and it can’t hurt. Use the spit balls too. Some people use the pull through swabs like Bob Reeves sells. Woodwind players pull a swab through often.

Tim’s swab looks cool. I should buy a couple.
_________________
Jeff Purtle
Trumpet Lessons Online since 2004, teaching since 1983
MultiTouch book on Claude Gordon
+1 864-354-3223 iPhone w/ FaceTime
Skype: jeff_purtle

[stuartissimo]