Putting an instrument in storage

[hald]

What is the proper way to prepare a brass instrument for storage? Do you remove the slides and valves?
Thanks in advance - hald

[Tom]

I think that the answer to this question depends on exactly how long the tuba will be in storage and where you will store it. Some questions to ask yourself when considering storage:

-Is is sitting completely idle or is there a trusted friend, relatave, or colleague that can keep the valves and slides operational?

-Will the instrument be stored in a case, bag, or out in the open?

-Will the instrument be stored out of the way of things that could damage it (other people/kids, pets, traffic, etc.)?

-Is the storage location "clean" (without smoke, dust/dirt, excessive temp/humidty)?

I have never "stored" a tuba longer than 4 months. I did not have a "caretaker" in place, so when I did store it, I began a week or so early (to allow for time to completely dry) by flushing out the horn, cleaning and lubing the valves, and pulling and cleaning the slides. I did not reinstall the slides because the storage enviornment was very arid and would dry out even well lubricated (but immobile) slides quickly. I wrapped and labeled each slide carefully and put them in the hard case with the tuba so that they did not get separated from the rest of the instrument. I then put the case in a very secure, out of the way location.

[Art Hovey]

I would suggest drying out the inside of the tuba completely, cleaning and lubricating the slides with axle grease, putting the pistons in dry, and leaving the valve caps a little loose. The grease will not evaporate, but valve lubricants will.
I would not store the tuba with any parts removed because they could easily be damaged or misplaced while in storage.