Acidic hands, saliva

james smock · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject: Acidic hands, saliva

I'm curious about this. I've always had pretty acidic hands, and am curious if I'll every outgrow it.

Please, chime in!

silverstar · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:19 pm Post subject:

My mouthpieces hate me...so do my leadpipes. I have acidic saliva, I guess. This is easy to remedy though...a clarinet swab cut down to size for the leadpipe, and a good washing of my mouthpiece once or twice a week.

Lara
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trumpetgirl612 · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject:

umm my horn hates me! i have acidic hands and I wear away at the finish sooo bad! as for my saliva, im not too sure...
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trptStudent · Heavyweight Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 2572

I've never seen my horns or mouthpieces ever change colour or get worse in condition while I used them. So I guess I must be acid free.

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trumpetplayer87 · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject:

I have bubbles in the finish on the bottom of my leadpipe, but my hands don't hold that part, so I doubt it's caused by acid.

If you don't mind me asking (because I have no idea if that's you in your avatar) how old are you?

I guess your chemistry can change throughout life. I had a lot of problems with my teeth a few years ago, they kept getting infections from the inside out. The dentist said it's just chemistry, which he said I would most likely outgrow, which I think I have, judging from the lack of infections. (Thank God! Those toothaches were really killers).

Bonnie
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the chief · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:58 pm Post subject:

My acidy hands will cut through Lacquer like it's butter.
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james smock · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject:

I'm 27. I've noticed in the last few months that I seem to be drying out.

For instance, I've never used lotion in my life, but now my hands are an ashy mess if I don't.

I read a post a while back about valve guards where someone said that they grew out of the acid hands thing. That's why I'm curious.

Perhaps he'll post here.

James

Bill Bryant · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:17 pm Post subject:

Saliva is not acidic.

trumpetgirl612 · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject:

BB~that is correct, but what is IN your saliva may be
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HI I'm a trumpet player, and I'm better than you.....

~*~
Olds Ambassador Bb
Bach 43 LR Bb
Schilke c from experimental period with CSO
Blessing Artist Series Flugel

I'll ognore you anyday baby

skootchy · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:26 pm Post subject:

wether saliva is "acidic" or not is pretty much irrelavant since alkaline is also corrosive. Actually just moisture left in a leadpipe is a killer. Probably has a little something to do with what the horn/moutpiece/leadpipe are made out of too. As far as the lacquer on the horn...some people will just wear right through it.

Billy B · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

Bonnie,

Those bubbles in the finish on your lead pipe are small holes coming through from the inside. Much like cavities in your teeth and from the same cause. Your lead pipe needs to be replaced unless there is rot in the rest of your horn. Then you need a new horn.
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bilboboone · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:12 pm Post subject:

trumpetplayer87 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:09 am Post subject:

Billy B · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:39 am Post subject:

It sure sounds like pitting in the lead pipe. I clean my lead pipe, tuning crook, and mouthpiece every day. I find if I keep these clean and wash out the rest of the horn once each month, the problem is avoided. Depnding on the quality and condition of the instrument, you need to have the lead pipe replaced.
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Comno6 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

My hands don't seem to be acidic.

But I have noticed, that on everymouthpiece I have ever had, the part that sites it the lead pipe corrodes BIG TIME. That is the only thing. What is that? The inside of the mouthpiece doesn't corrode at all. I am not sure what that is.

Chris
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trptStudent · Heavyweight Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 2572

Maybe corrosive stuff from you lead pipe gets onto your mouthpiece and is eating away at it?

Rondawg · Veteran Member Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 488

My saliva is probaly not that acidic. I usually give my mouthpiece a good flushing out and brushing out with a little dawn on the brush and no problems so far. And I usually clean my horns out 1-2 times a month to fight agains corrosion and redrot.

My hands on the other hand are probaly a bit on the acidic side. Considering all my trumpets have been used before I got them(except my strad) I am not that sure that they are acidic though I think they are. But on my TR300 their is spots where I tough the leadpipe and valve casing wear it has worn through. I use valve protectors though when practicing and rehearsing(not performing though) to help to.
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tptptp · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject:

Hey, all. Finish wear is not really an acid-base thing, per se. Everybody's sweat has very similar pH. It's the salt and the water, and the amount that counts. Some folks' hands don't sweat much, and some do. The more sweat and the longer the contact, the more finish loss.
Internal corrosion (redrum, I mean red rot) is from food...Rotten, putrid, foul, stinking, corrupt food.
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Jazzy_Mike · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 7:51 am Post subject:

I've never had a problem. Nothing of mine ever has had any wear to the acidity of me.
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