stuck mouthpiece........

james · Post by **james** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:17 am

any suggestions for removal (other than the mouthpiece pulling tool)? thanks

corbasse · Post by **corbasse** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:30 am

If you value your instrument, don't think about it. The risk of damaging the reciever is considerable.
Otherwise, brute force usually does the trick

Some say that running hot water over the reciever helps, but it never did for me.

Tom B. · Post by **Tom B.** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:46 am

I've successfully used those rubber pads that help twist off jars lids. They aren't too violent, and really provide some torque on the mouthpiece. If that doesn't work, I agree, get somebody with the proper tool to get it out.

Tom

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:50 am

A rubber strap wrench sometimes works, but I always use my mouthpiece puller.

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:03 am

Don't be agressive in trying to twist off a stuck mouthpiece, I've got a student with a leadpipe that got twisted and bent while trying to remove the stuck mouthpiece. It's going to cost him hundreds to buy and replace the leadpipe. It's not the first time I've seen that.

Take your horn to a shop. They probably won't even charge you. If they do it's better than buying a new leadpipe.

Bove · Post by **Bove** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:48 am

If you decide to use hot water, you may need to get it extremely hot to be effective. I have used boiling water with some success. Use appropriate precautions (Heavy waterproof gloves [the mouthpiece gets pretty hot], Bathtub, etc.) Using hot tap water did nothing for my situation.

After pouring the boiling water over the receiver- and with a small twist, the mouthpiece came right out.

corbasse wrote:Some say that running hot water over the reciever helps

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:19 pm

Bove wrote:If you decide to use hot water, you may need to get it extremely hot to be effective. I have used boiling water with some success. Use appropriate precautions (Heavy waterproof gloves [the mouthpiece gets pretty hot], Bathtub, etc.) Using hot tap water did nothing for my situation.

After pouring the boiling water over the receiver- and with a small twist, the mouthpiece came right out.

corbasse wrote:Some say that running hot water over the reciever helps

If you have a lacquered horn and value your finish... do not do this! If you are are dead set against taking the horn to a technician with a puller to have the mouthpiece removed properly, try this:

Apply a LITTLE force in the direction of removal and tap the receiver around the periphery LIGHTLY with a SMALL plastic or rawhide mallet. You can try WARM water on the receiver but only for a short duration... because the heat very quickly transfers to the mouthpiece shank and it expands, too. DO NOT twist the mouthpiece as this WILL result in damage to the mouthpipe.