Tuning Slide Grease

[mcfolks]

I agree with using Lanolin. Wipe down the slide and remove as much of the old grease that you can, and let the new lanolin warm up on your fingertips- you can feel it 'flow' better and it will spread/cover easier. I also like that it's natural and not loaded with synthetic who-knows-what. If you pull the 1st valve slide alot while playing, it may not be quick enough, but is great for the rest of them.

[tclements]

I've tried anhydrous lanolin, but it is too thick and moves WAY too slowly. Maybe I've gotten bad samples. I JUST bought some of that 'super lube' that Dan Schultz suggested. Stay tuned on that one....

[pgym]

Anhydrous lanolin.

+1

I'm a repair tech, and I have used this for years. I take the slide, and run both tubes over my torch flame, slightly heating them, them I have a small brush (acid brush, intended to be used for applying flux) that has the lanolin on, that I "brush" onto the tubes. It melts and thins out slightly, making in my opinion, the best feeling slide action there is. This is what I use on slides that don't move alot, such as the main tuning slide. I use this on literally hundreds of brass horns. The company I work for has a large rental fleet, and have NEVER had to a stuck slide on one of the rental horns when they come back through the shop.

OTOH ...

[Kevin Hendrick]

For me, its rancid bear grease...

Impressive! The problem there is finding a rancid bear to begin with -- any tips?

[Ace]

I've used MANY slide grease products since I began playing brass instruments in 1947. By far the best is the grease that came with my WERIL bass trombone. I've now used it up and can't seem to find the same product any place.

ACE