Rubber-Ducko wrote:Hi, I cleaned my mouthpiece right now and it shocks me how dirty it gets, just after 3 months of use. And it strikes me, how is the tuba on the inside then?? So, do you people have cleaning tricks? Im sure the YEB 321 I'm playing hasn't been cleaned for years...
I'd recommend that you have your YEB-321 cleaned professionally to start wtih. One thing that accumulates in any brass instrument is calcium from the salts in the saliva. You can also have the corks and felts checked or replaced at the same time.
After that, the important thing is that the leadpipe, valves and slides be kept clean by periodic rinsing with water and use of a trombone snake and a valve casing brush. The larger branches don't suffer as much because they're further away from the mouthpiece and after the water keys. An annual wash-out of the whole instrument with a garden hose isn't a bad idea. But regular monthly cleaning of the leadpipe and valves is the most important. Salts in the saliva are corrosive and dirt in the valves will shorten their life.
FWIW, I wash my mouthpiece out daily, but then my threshold of yeeeeccch is pretty low.
Brush your teeth before playing. Don't eat anything and don't drink anything but pure water during playing.
That's what I'm doing and it keeps the tuba and mouthpiece clean for years.
Good luck,
Lars
Lars, I think you're luring people into a false sense of security. Many people have high concentration of salts and other substances naturally in their saliva, particularly as they get closer to the grave than the cradle. Regular cleaning is still necessary.
Hi Guys,
When I recieved my 1940 King bell front tuba by UPS ground,it was
really oogie.
So I took it to Shmitd's music store in Pensacola,Florida and they
kept it for a week.I wish I could recall the repairman's name but he
had a great beard and a fondness for Hawian shirts.
When I asked him how the horn was,he said,"I think you're going
to be pleased."Boy was he right.That old King had it all.It played with
a crispness and clarity I had never experienced.
I recently cut a C.D. with that horn and it sounds great.
The Fartman
Quite a lot there I agree with. I always wash the mouthpiece out before & after practicing, try not to eat 40 minutes before and clean the euph out (Willson 2900) regularly once a week. I can almost tell when it needs doing now, the difference is amazing sometimes.
When I got my old Highams 5 valve (1891) the repairer told me he had to cleanse it twice ! It was dipped time and time again to get all the muck out before he could even start on the repairs.
I'm so glad as regular inspections of it shows it staying nice and clean now, not blowing too bad after 113 years either !
Charley wrote:...not blowing too bad after 113 years either !
I've seen your picture Charley and must say you don't look a day over 50!?
Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ/RF mpc YEP-641S(recently sold), DE mpc (102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank) Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches: "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
So, do you people have cleaning tricks? Im sure the YEB 321 I'm playing hasn't been cleaned for years...
