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I don't know what kind of tuba you bought (it really doesn't matter), but I've never heard of this either.

It is common to have an instrument chem or ultrasonically cleaned after a fair amount of use (i.e. a year or so). This operation is done by a repairman and is designed to get out all of the junk that can build up inside of the tuba over time. You most likely don't need to consider this at this time.

Leaving the tuba moist for extended periods of time is not a good thing as it can lead to corrosion. You have a new tuba (it sounds like) so this won't be a major issue on day one, but avoiding excess moisture and getting out all you can before you put the horn away is a good thing.

I would have your tuba playing friend come over and show you and your son some basic care procedures like how to correctly oil the valves and what to generally do and not do. He'd probably love to see the horn and would be more than happy to help out.

I would ask him to go over the following 5 or so thing:

1. Removing and inserting valves without damaging them.
2. Valve alignment (i.e. valve guides and how to care for them)
3. How to tighten/remove threaded pieces (like valve caps) without damage
4. Slide lubrication
5. General careful handling

Make sure the horn is stored in a case too...that will do a lot to keep the horn in good shape for some time to come.

If your son is taking tuba lessons (which I would recommend if he's not), talk with his teacher...tell him what you got and ask him your questions. He can probably show your son how to take care of the tuba as well.

The best thing to do if you're not sure is ask...there are lots of folks here that are happy to help and make sure that your tuba experience is a good one.

Hope that helps.

I'm curious what kind of horn you are talking about. It might not be a bad idea to give it a bath. without knowing the exact origin, it might not have been brand new. It could have been a demo unit of possibly refurbished. A bath certainly won't hurt a new horn but there is no value to 'adding moisture' to brass.

"Maybe it's one of those "instant tuba - just add water" things. "

Yea! That's it! That's the ticket!!!

Horns do seem to play a bit better when they are wet inside. Before I ship out a tuba I like to squirt extra valve oil down the leadpipe. Taht's something I recommend you do every day, anyway. Get some inexpensive piston valve oil (Though, I prefer the scent of Zaja Grapefruit.) and squirt a shot in the leadpipe each day. Put in the mouthpiece and blow lots of air through the horn as you wiggle the valves. Keeps the valves lubricated and protects the inside of the horn from your saliva. And by the way, it keeps the inside of your horn wet.

I completely understand putting valve oil down the tubing, which would hopefully keep waterborne gunk from building up as well. I've never heard of bacteria growing in valve oil.

I'm still surprised that Miraphone would recommend that having extra water in the horn would be a good thing. A bath to act as one final rinse, sure, but I can't see how it would help how it plays. What would be the purpose?

piglet wrote: The manual even said that it wouldn't sound right unless it had some moisture in it--

I've given this some thought since my original post. I stated that there is no benefit to keeping brass moist. However... this must be Miraphone's way of saying moisture of some sort... whether it be water or oil... needs to be present in the rotors to make them produce a near air tight seal. Rotors do not contact the housings at the air passages and rely on a moisture film to produce a seal. In most cases, just the moisture that forms inside the horn from condensation... combined with lingering oils will be enough to make this happen. Perhaps Miraphone is concerned that the lubricants present when the horn leaves the factory might 'dry out' before the horn reaches the customer. A rotary horn will indeed play better with a little moisture in the valves.... as Matt Walters pointed out.

TubaTinker wrote: However... this must be Miraphone's way of saying moisture of some sort... whether it be water or oil... needs to be present in the rotors to make them produce a near air tight seal.

Ah, okay, that didn't even occur to me.

Makes sense now.

A miraphone 1291 as a Christmas present! Will you adopt me? (That's one lucky son)

How's the new 1291 playing?

Give me an email using the email button below. You have me curious which high school your son plays with. My youngest daughter graduated from Sprague a couple of years ago.