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Never having acquired a factory new tuba , do they require a break in period ?
What, if anything , changes over time ?
I assume springs will soften, valve guides will get worked in , will the horn resonate differently ? Will sound change ?

I have bought a factory-new one 3 years ago.

Did the sound of the instrument change? No, I don't think so...
Did the moving parts break-in after some time? Yes. Frequent lubrication helps.
Did I learn how to play this tuba? Yes, definitely !

I think you getting used to a new tuba is more important in the breaking-in time, than the physical changes of the instrument itself.

Just my 2 EU-cents ...

There may be residue of lapping compound which will need to be cleaned out, and may not come completely out on a first thorough cleaning.

When the first ding happens, don't unravel. A ding is a ding. A scratch is a scratch. Many dings and scratches over time are "patina." Go figure.

Congrats.

The first ding or dent is the worst

You should clean the horn out with a brush (snake) and soapy water as soon as you can. As a couple of posters said, there is often residue in the horn left over from the manufacturing process. For instance, if buffing compound gets into your valves, you get an automatic bad lapping job for free.

They oil the valves at the factory, but it can sit a long time before you get it. Oil and grease everything asap.

Alex C wrote:You should clean the horn out with a brush (snake) and soapy water as soon as you can. As a couple of posters said, there is often residue in the horn left over from the manufacturing process. For instance, if buffing compound gets into your valves, you get an automatic bad lapping job for free.

They oil the valves at the factory, but it can sit a long time before you get it. Oil and grease everything asap.

would that be the procedure for any horn that has sat around awhile?? I;m getting one soon..thanks...BB

oedipoes wrote:I have bought a factory-new one 3 years ago.

Did the sound of the instrument change? No, I don't think so...
Did the moving parts break-in after some time? Yes. Frequent lubrication helps.
Did I learn how to play this tuba? Yes, definitely !

I think you getting used to a new tuba is more important in the breaking-in time, than the physical changes of the instrument itself.

Just my 2 EU-cents ...

Haha...I agree that the break in period is more about breaking YOU in than the horn.

BigBob,

I would. Unless a horn has been chemically cleaned before you bought it, no telling what's going on. Might as well do a clean and lube first. Then play it and see how you like it.

For me, there's nothing more frustrating that having a sticky piston when you're trying to get to know a horn. It's a major distraction for me.

Just pour a lot of sour milk in the instrument when it is new, then it will play as good as you are able to

[quote="bloke"]The worst thing about "new tubas" is that they are too pretty for me to want to do all of the crap to them that I will want to do to them to make them play the way that I would want them to play.

What is all the crap you would do to them to make them play the way you would want them to???.......BB