Slides move too easily

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ATX20J
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Slides move too easily

Post by ATX20J »

I've never had this problem, but here I am.

I recently acquired a mid-70's Olds fiberglass sousaphone that had been sitting in someone's attic for multiple years. First thing I did was take it to the shop to have the slides unstuck and get the pads and corks replaced. They did a great job.

However, now my slides, especially the main tuning slide move too easily. The main slide is right under my right arm when I'm playing and if I bump it at all it slides all the way back in. It seems like even from the factory these slides weren't tightly fit.

Suggestions on what I can do about this?
1962 Conn 20J
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Minor Mishap Marching Band: Austin, TX
Spirit of Atlanta D&BC: 2003, 2004, 2006
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SousaWarrior9
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Re: Slides move too easily

Post by SousaWarrior9 »

A really thick slide grease might be a a good temporary solution. I think hetmans has a slide grease specifically for loose slides, as do some other companies as well. Might want to look into that.
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ATX20J
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Re: Slides move too easily

Post by ATX20J »

Indeed they do... from http://www.hetman.com/products.html
9. ULTRA SLIDE GREASE - A unique slide grease of extra-heavy consistency designed primarily for instruments with loose fitting slides. Perfect alternative for vintage instruments with corroded slide tubes
Last edited by ATX20J on Tue Oct 30, 2018 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1962 Conn 20J
____________________________________
Minor Mishap Marching Band: Austin, TX
Spirit of Atlanta D&BC: 2003, 2004, 2006
User avatar
ATX20J
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Re: Slides move too easily

Post by ATX20J »

However, it doesn't look like I can actually buy it anywhere.

I'll try this UltraPure Heavy slide grease. According to Amazon comments, looks like it's suitable for this purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/UltraPure-UPO-HE ... 005MKPM1A#
1962 Conn 20J
____________________________________
Minor Mishap Marching Band: Austin, TX
Spirit of Atlanta D&BC: 2003, 2004, 2006
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opus37
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Re: Slides move too easily

Post by opus37 »

You can have your tech slightly expand the slide so that it moves normally. This is relatively easy to do and very inexpensive.
Brian
1892 Courtiere (J.W. Pepper Import) Helicon Eb
1980's Yamaha 321 euphonium
2007 Miraphone 383 Starlight
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