Storing a horn

AtomicClock · by **AtomicClock** » 2024-07-15 12:05 p.m.

What is the proper preparation for storing a horn long-term? I suspect it is not just clean, with normal lubes.

And how long is too long for sitting around unprepped? Or put another way, at what point do I decide a horn has been sitting around unused long enough, and it's time to be stored properly?

harrisonreed · 2024-07-15 12:12 p.m.

People talk about storing slides dry, but if it is going to be for an extended period of time, I might think about putting oil down the raw brass outers, oiling the rotors well, and putting some synthetic grease on the tuning slides, any threads, and possibly on the removable leadpipe (if you got one).

The idea being that this will stunt corrosion, and while you will need to fully clean the thing when you take it out, everything should still move.

BrassSection · by **BrassSection** » 2024-07-15 12:17 p.m.

I generally only pull my tuba out once a year, if that…sometimes 2 years. Call me a belt and suspenders kinda guy but I pull all of the tuning slides completely out, and remove the valves and bottom caps, then store them separately. This in spite of the fact when I got it, it hadn’t seen the light of day for over ten years and all the slides and valves were functional with no force required!

Mamaposaune · by **Mamaposaune** » 2024-07-15 2:02 p.m.

I've stored horns with the slide clean and bone-dry for a year or so with no issues. All I do is lube it up and play, although for the first swabbing or two of the outer slide I sometimes get a bit of grayish tarnish out.

The bell section gets cleaned and dried before storage also, then I liberally oil the valve with Hetmans and put fresh tuning slide grease on. Never an issue when I break it out again.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2024-07-15 3:09 p.m.

I haven't had any problems (yet) storing trombones "dead dry."

When it's time to resurrect them, just lube slide (and valve, if present) and play.

KWL · by **KWL** » 2024-07-15 6:08 p.m.

I don't recommend this, but when I quit playing I put my 73H in the case and placed it in the closet for 40 years. No cleaning, no oiling of the outer slide, nothing. When I decided to pick it up again I had more trouble with getting the latches on the case working than anything to do with the horn. I did have Baltimore Brass to a chem clean and general maintenance (re-stringing, new valve stops. etc) to assure things were back to normal. I think Peter may have had a bit more work to do, but really it was in pretty good shape.

I'm a little more careful with daily maintenance these days and would never do that again.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2024-07-15 6:14 p.m.

I doubt you'll be around after another 40 year storage ;)

trombonedemon · by **trombonedemon** » 2024-07-15 10:24 p.m.

Harrison is on point <EMOJI seq="1f449" tseq="1f449">👉</EMOJI>

BrassSection · by **BrassSection** » 2024-07-16 12:50 p.m.

One thing to remember, horns and horses should not be put away wet. Won’t get into horses, but if you have hard water and put your horn away before it’s 100% dry, the minerals in hard water can cause valves/slides to become very difficult to move. Tuba friend of mine found out the hard way. Fortunately he has the proper tools and no big problems for him.

Never heard of any problems storing well lubed, except maybe a few stains in the case liner.

Blabberbucket · by **Blabberbucket** » 2024-07-16 7:53 p.m.

Have the instrument throughly cleaned, and do not lubricate the rotor or slide until you are ready to play again. A synthetic slide grease can be used on the main tuning slide and F attachment tuning slides. There should be no issues with corrosion if the instrument is stored dry and in a reasonably climate-controlled area.

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Storing a horn