now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
User avatar
reindeere
bugler
bugler
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:33 pm
Location: Westsylvania, USA

now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by reindeere »

After reading some old posts about separating a mouthpiece from a bit, I succeeded in freeing my Conn #2 from its bit with boiling water, a Crescent wrench, and a claw hammer. (it's not quite as ugly as it sounds) Thank you to many of you who contributed to those old posts.

My question now is this: what can I do to prevent them from sticking together in the future? Slide grease? Valve oil? Petroleum jelly? Teflon tape? Moly & graphite?

Thanks for any help,

Perry
1970 Conn 22K
Bach 24W, Conn #2, Kelly 24AW, Kellyberg, R&S Helleberg, R&S Helleberg II Heavy, Kelly 18
User avatar
Art Hovey
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 1508
Joined: Sun May 02, 2004 12:28 am
Location: Connecticut

Re: now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by Art Hovey »

Any lubricant that you use will dry out eventually. (A wax crayon works pretty well, but the wax does not last forever.) I have not tried teflon tape, but I suspect that it will fall off before long. The only reliable solution is to remove the mouthpiece from the bit whenever you finish playing for the day. Also remove the bit from the receiver. If you use two bits then separate them before storage.
User avatar
iiipopes
Utility Infielder
Utility Infielder
Posts: 8580
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am

Re: now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by iiipopes »

The problem with using any lubricant between the mouthpiece and the bits is that the lubricant is want to do its job and the mouthpiece fall out at the most inopportune moment.

Having played souzys on and off since the fall of 1976, many brands, models, and configurations, what Bloke says is the way it is.
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
User avatar
iiipopes
Utility Infielder
Utility Infielder
Posts: 8580
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am

Re: now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by iiipopes »

Or, purchase your own separate mouthpiece and pair of bits and dedicate a particular mouthpiece to the souzy and don't care when the bit gets stuck to it, like I did.
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
User avatar
Dan Schultz
TubaTinker
TubaTinker
Posts: 10427
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:46 pm
Location: Newburgh, Indiana
Contact:

Re: now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by Dan Schultz »

reindeere wrote:After reading some old posts about separating a mouthpiece from a bit, I succeeded in freeing my Conn #2 from its bit with boiling water, a Crescent wrench, and a claw hammer. (it's not quite as ugly as it sounds) Thank you to many of you who contributed to those old posts.

My question now is this: what can I do to prevent them from sticking together in the future? Slide grease? Valve oil? Petroleum jelly? Teflon tape? Moly & graphite?

Thanks for any help,

Perry
I've never worried about stuck bits because I know how to easily get them apart. Putting grease or oil on them sort of defeats the purpose and you would probably eventually find yourself chasing a mouthpiece across the bandroom floor or worse... across the pavement where you rehearse for marching band drills. It a bit get stuck again... just turn to the drum section and snatch one of their drumsticks. Hold the stuck pieces loosely in the palm of your hand and give them a couple of sharp 'raps' on the outside of the stuck joint.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
User avatar
windshieldbug
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Posts: 11516
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
Location: 8vb

Re: now that the mpc and bit have parted company...

Post by windshieldbug »

reindeere wrote:what can I do to prevent them from sticking together in the future?
Play bassoon. :P
Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?
Post Reply