Storing a Tuba for the Summer

[tuba114]

This summer I will be marching Drum Crops, being away from home and my personal tuba for about 3 months. I was just wondering if there is anything special I should to prepare my horn to sit for the 3 months(I know that sounds terrible), but I’m just worried about damage from frozen valves and slides. The horn is a Hirsbrunner HB-21.

Thanks for your help,

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Nothing special needs to be done. I would recommend thoroughly cleaning the horn (bathing it if possible) and cleaning/regreasing all the slides so that they move freely. IMPORTANT: Make sure you very thoroughly dry all parts of the horn before applying oil and grease...moisture is your #1 enemy. Allow the parts where you can't get a shammy to completely air dry (overnight in a warm room is fine).

Re-oil the valves the same way you would if you were about to play the horn. Avoid the temptation to play the horn after you finish cleaning and oiling it...you don't want any condensation sitting in it all summer for mold/mildew to grow in. Place the tuba back in its case and find a nice out-of-the-way place to store it that is not subject to temperature extremes.

Have fun in your corps experience! 22 comes way too fast...

[Mike-ICR]

What Todd said, plus, you might (depending on what you already use) want to consider what you use for the lubing. Many synthetic valve oils and slide greases can dry out fairly quickly. I recommend Roche Thomas valve oil and Selmer tuning slide/cork grease. I find them both a little thick for regular use but for a long period there's nothing better. If you don't like those products then just clean the horn again in the fall.

[tubashaman2]

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[tuba114]

Im marching with The Cadets this summer

[tubaguy9]

I think bubbacox might have a good idea...
Having a friend that you trust dearly play it would be a good idea. That would be your best bet.
If you do as Todd says, DON'T regrease and relube the horn. Because for the time you'll be away from it, the lube will attract dirt, grime, etc.

I have marched corps for 2 years... and will be back in 2010, can't march this year due to school. The rotors of my horn did freeze up a bit when I was gone, but luckly I was able to free them up with a little lube.

[eupher61]

just ship it to me c/o the Kansas City Tuba Society. I'll take good care of it for you.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Who are you marching with (or hoping to march with)? Back in my day...it was 21 (DCI was just in the process of changing the rules...and everyone still marched G horns...).

To be clear...21 is still the "maximum age" for DCI. When I said 22 comes way too fast, I used that number because when you reach 22 you can't march any more.

If you do as Todd says, DON'T regrease and relube the horn. Because for the time you'll be away from it, the lube will attract dirt, grime, etc.

I suppose it's a minor detail, but I wonder where dirt, grime, and anything else will come from if the tuba is left quietly in its case?

Grease and oil are moisture barriers that don't give mold and mildew a place to grow. If you choose not to regrease/relube, you had better be extremely sure there is zero moisture left on any metal parts.

[Wyvern]

If your tuba is really not going to be touched at all for an entire three months, you could consider taking the valves out, along with the springs, remove the bottom caps, and take out any slides that you can. Clean them off, then store them separately and safely.

I have done that in the past when I played piston tubas. Does not work with rotary valves. With them I flush through with soapy water, leave with slides out to dry overnight, re-lubricate, then store in gig bag. Never had any appreciable sticking problem, but then the longest I have been away not playing has been one month.