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I'm preparing a flugelhorn for a young student. He'll get the instrument at his first lesson. it's a really old horn and it has quite a smell (an 'old' / damp smell). I've cleaned it (soaked it in 50/50 white vinigar for 45 minutes and 24 hours in water and dish soap. It still smells.....

So, what to do??? I don't want to hand out a smelly horn to a new student. That wouldn't be a great motivation to pick up the horn.

bloke???

Is the smell in the body of the horn or the valves? The valves are hollow, so I figure they can store some nasty crud. Did you soak them? What about the felts & corks (don't forget the ones in the valve buttons)? Are they mildewed? How 'bout the spit key? Could there be someTHING (dead bug?) stuck up in the horn?

Just a couple of thoughts. Hope they help!
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Joe Baker, who is thinking a vinegar soak should have done the trick unless it's in the valves.

My guess is that the smell comes from a thin film on the brass........ dunno???? I soaked the horn 24 hours......


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is going to investigate on the felts.....

Wilco wrote:My guess is that the smell comes from a thin film on the brass........ dunno???? I soaked the horn 24 hours......


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is going to investigate on the felts.....

checked: it's the valves (felts) and the valve - cluster.......

Try putting half of an anti-static clothes dryer sheet in the case. The odor is quite strong for several days and eventually goes away.

Wilco wrote:checked: it's the valves (felts) and the valve - cluster.......

Well, you know the solution, right?

Replace the felts and corks!

Good to know Bloke allways smells good

Joe Baker was right on: the corks and felts smell really horrible. I'm going to replace these [yes Chuck] and put the valves once again in a vinegar bath......

Wilco wrote: I'm going to replace these [yes Chuck] and put the valves once again in a vinegar bath......

I'd soak first, then replace the felts and corks. You don't want the new one to smell like vinegar do you?

Wilco wrote:Joe Baker was right on....

Even a blind pig finds a root once in a while!!

Glad to be of service for once, Wilco.
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Joe Baker, who ain't USED to bein' RIGHT...