Cleaning and Restoring Old Trombone? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Kipper is King · 05-31-2009, 03:32 PM

I was at a flea market in Kensington today when I stumbled across an old trombone (It's a 1970s era Getzen). I used to play trombone in Jr.High band, so I was kind of excited when I found it. I bought it for $25 just to play at home for a little fun!

It's pretty beat up as you can see. I need a new spit valve for it, and the slide is in rather ugly shape. I don't really care though, as long as I can get it in playable shape I'm happy. Because I am playing at home, I don't really care about appearance.

Does anyone has any tips for cleaning and restoring it? Also, what is a good store to go to to get a spit valve, mouthpiece and slide grease and anything else I may need?

I'm stoked about playing again!

jeremywilhelm · 05-31-2009, 03:34 PM

the title sounds really dirty...

Im sure most music stores could lead you in the right direction.

Superflyer · 05-31-2009, 04:03 PM

If you can't find a place to restore it you can sell it to this lady.
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...143295553.html

Kipper is King · 05-31-2009, 04:10 PM

OK, can I get some serious answers here?

Shazam · 05-31-2009, 04:22 PM

Try 3rd ave. There's lots of trombone cleaners there.

05-31-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

the title sounds really dirty...

Will I get in trouble if I say "rusty trombone"?

Traditional_Ale · 05-31-2009, 04:32 PM

Long n McQuade is your best bet, imo.

Don't worry about restoring the finish, just get it a decent cleaning, greasing, and have the spit valve replaced else the end of the slide won't seal.

I really tried to get through that last paragraph without sounding dirty. After five complete re-writes, I concede defeat.

redforever · 05-31-2009, 07:06 PM

St. John's Music has all kinds of cleaning kits, oils, etc.

SebC · 05-31-2009, 07:33 PM

If it has dents in the slide you'll need to have them removed professionally to get good performance. Dents anywhere else really don't matter. Finish is pretty much just aesthetic too. Clean it in your bathtub with a trombone-specific snake brush. If you use soap, make sure it's pure stuff (Dove?)... other soaps can damage it. You'll also want to get a mouthpiece brush and sanitizer (or maybe not... I see you'll be buying a mouthpiece). I like Slide-O-Mix, if I say what it is there will be more bad jokes.