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I am finally getting around to giving my 26K a proper internal clean and have just received in the post this kit

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LOW-BRASS-T ... 0062341037" target="_blank" target="_blank

The snake appears to well made and the brush is not too stiff so I don't have any worries about it detaching in the Sousa.

Below are videos showing why it needs snaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vykM-tceEW0" target="_blank" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0HWSv88M8" target="_blank" target="_blank

So I am looking for any advice warnings cautionary tales before I snake it.

edited for poor typing and better example of dirt build up

I haven't used that exact model, but I have used similar products. In general, I do not like using snakes that have a metal core. I have broken a couple. But my biggest objection is that snakes sometimes require a very strong pull to get them through tights passages.

I've been using the HW snakes for most of this type of cleaning. Their core is a tough nylon-like material, which just seems like it is less likely to cause any wear inside the horn. And it also has a much longer brush section, so it seems to clean better on a single pass.

HW Tuba Cleaner

In recent years I have tried to clean the horn more regularly. An American low-brass player developed a system that makes this much easier, enough so that I'm actually likely to do it more often! I met him at an ITEC and tried the "Quick Horn Rinse" with very good results. If you have a garden hose (or utility sink faucet) handy you can do the job in about 10 minutes. It's just the simple flushing method we've probably all used, but his system makes this really quick & easy.

Here is the Blog Post I did about the device. The original, simpler version is reviewed here. These are both the brainchild of Bill Ricker.

ANY snake I have tried makes me nervous. I use them to clean my compensating euphonium, which is more complex than a non-compensating horn and creates more challenges. In the case of your 26K, the bends are not as tight, so a snake will go through more easily. If it is really gunky inside, then of course a snake may be necessary. But for more regular "touch-up" cleaning, you might try Bill's rinsing product.

Also, at some point over time it will probably be necessary to completely disassemble the horn and clean everything you can touch. When you get to that point, be sure to clean the entire valve piston, and carefully clean the top/bottom caps for each valve (lots of stuff can hide there, only to come loose at some point and cause trouble with the valve action). I like to carefully clean the springs for the same reason.

sousaphone68 wrote: ....
So I am looking for any advice warnings cautionary tales before I snake it.

If the horn is really filthy, you might want to try snaking the slides while they are submerged in water(In a sink or tub). That way, if gunk comes out it will not splatter all of you.

In my experience, using a snake is only effective if you you've already filled the valve section with warm soapy water for an hour or so beforehand.

DG,

Very inventive! It sounds similar to the process used in repair shops. My one reservation is that the pump may not be powerful enough to do a good job. But if the build-up isn't too bad inside the horn, the cleaning action of the moving fluid may be enough. I'm anxious to hear how it works out!

I snaked it with no ill affects.
I got the borascope because the Bb below the staff played 1+3 is a horrible note on this instrument. It is stuffy and hard to establish and lacks all projection.
The valve alignment is good the pipes are now clean but the note is still bad. All other 1+3 fingered notes are fine and the false tones are present and usable.
Other 26k owners have assured me that this note should be good.
The bizarre thing is with the bell detached the note is much easier and pleasing to play.

Any ideas?

sousaphone68 wrote:Other 26k owners have assured me that this note should be good.

Have you ruled out this just being a bad note for your chops? On every euphonium I've played, the concert F just below the staff is a stuffy note with 4, but is OK with 1-3. This is not so for other players. But every more telling... that same concert pitch has the same tendency for me on my EEb tuba! And on tuba it is also OK with 1-3. Clearly it's my chops' tendencies, not the horns.

I don't think its chops related I am lucky enough to have 4 eb pitched tubas 3 of which all play the problem Bb well 1+3 or 4 only the 3 valve 26K gives me a problem.
It could be me so I will try a blind test with some of my band mates get them to try a scale without priming them and see how it plays for them.

I really like my sousaphone but the weak Bb is very frustrating.

The snakes head detaching and getting lodged was my biggest worry which was why I tested it on the slides first as I have a spare set.
I also only pushed the snake rather than pull it.

Have you tried getting someone else to play the horn? It might be that BBb is not a good not on that horn for whatever reason.

Also, how different is your mouthpiece placement on the sousaphone? I have a bit of a downbite, I find it much easier to play with a tuba than a sousaphone, my chops tend to find an easier placement on the tuba... YMMV.

Since you have a borascope, have you tried a vertical alignment of the slides?

PMeuph wrote:Have you tried getting someone else to play the horn? It might be that BBb is not a good not on that horn for whatever reason.

Also, how different is your mouthpiece placement on the sousaphone? I have a bit of a downbite, I find it much easier to play with a tuba than a sousaphone, my chops tend to find an easier placement on the tuba... YMMV.

Since you have a borascope, have you tried a vertical alignment of the slides?

I have checked the alignment and it appears to be good , mouth piece placement is good and centred and comfortable with two tunning bits.

I am at a loss as to what to pin it on as I dont think it is a leak or some other mechanical flaw.
I will have to get some friends to play it and see what it does for them

I recently bought an Eb tuba and it had the same issue you describe. I haven't played tuba very long but I knew from my Eb sousaphone that it probably wasn't some kind of problem inherent with Eb horns. I was able to clean a significant amount of filth out of the knuckles on the valve casings leading to the slides and in between each casing, especially the knuckle leading out of the third valve(3v horn). After that it seemed to play that Bb much better. Suggestion: I would get a white cloth and wrap it once around your finger, reach into the valve casings, and scrub the inside of the knuckles to see if they are actually clean since pipe snakes only dislodge filth, not remove it.