TubeNet

knuxie wrote:The brass person there told me he used an anhydrous lubricant on the slides for the safety of the player and said it works just as well as the petroleum based greases. He buys it in bulk from a local pharmacy.

I'm sure he was using anhydrous lanolin and not KY. Anhydrous lanolin can indeed be bought at any pharmacy (though you may have to order it). It's very popular and the base material for many well-regarded slide greases. Lanolin is a natural lubricant found in sheep's wool, and is a byproduct of wool production. Make sure you get the anhydrous form.

Rick "who prefers Hetman's slide lube which has a similar consistency but is not as stiff" Denney

knuxie wrote:...This will save a trip to Wal-mart.

Ken F.

And maybe save you from some "funny looks" from your colleagues at rehearsals when they see it in your case!

Anhydrous lanolin can also be obtained as a stock item from stores that sell supplies for soap makers and herbalists. It's usually cheaper from them, too.

Microwave some with a bit of mineral oil warm enough to liquefy the lanolin and you've got a great slide grease that isn't as thick as lanolin alone. And it's non-toxic.

Doc wrote:Why would your spouse be uspet? Because you took it off the headboard and put it in your horn case? Just buy an extra tube for home. Doc

JB wrote: And maybe save you from some "funny looks" from your colleagues at rehearsals when they see it in your case!

Funny looks, or jealous looks?

chevy68chv wrote:

JB wrote: And maybe save you from some "funny looks" from your colleagues at rehearsals when they see it in your case!

Funny looks, or jealous looks?

Guess it depends on a few different factors; but with the trombone section I sit beside in the orchestra, they would definitely be "'funny" (and not the 'ha ha' kind ) looks.

Jealous looks? No.

knuxie, better to use the rubbing alcohol than drinking it (as some of my relatives have been known to do).

All fun aside, KY, being water soluable, is the WORST thing you could put on a valve slide, since it would retain water on the slides and promote corrosion.

After all is said and done (and, of course, especially on a forum, much more is said than actually done - nature of the beast) and gone around the horn, so to speak (pun intended) of trying all the esoterica, I have come back to the traditional method of cleaning the slides and polishing them until they shine, then applying a very thin coat of good old vaseline, wiping off the excess as I reinsert the slide. Of course, I'm talking about static tuning slides, not a slide you routinely adjust for intonation.

KY for a horn, WTF

What good is Kentucky Jelly anyway? I had some with peanut butter and it was AWFUL!

Hey Brassdad -
Try it on your fried chicken.

Go ahead, put it on your horn. Who's gonna know?