Best valve oil?

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Gary
Posts: 283
Joined: Jan 11, 2019

by Gary »

I just gave myself a Yamaha valve trombone for Christmas. Yamaha valve oil came with it. Does Yamaha know best or should I use another brand? Thanks.
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norbie2018
Posts: 1051
Joined: Apr 05, 2018

by norbie2018 »

Yamaha makes excellent lubricants; I use their trombone slide lubricant and rotor oil. I believe what you have will suffice.
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JohnL
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by JohnL »

For piston valves, the Yamaha oil should be fine.

Here’s some basics for breaking in new valves:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.dummies.com/art-center/musi ... r-trumpet/">https://www.dummies.com/art-center/music/taking-care-of-your-trumpet/</LINK_TEXT>

If you do decide to experiment, be careful mixing oils. Synthetics and non-synthetics do not mix well.
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

Yamaha lubricants, both their mineral and synthetic, are quite good. Yamaha really doesn't skimp on the basics like some other brands do.
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Gary
Posts: 283
Joined: Jan 11, 2019

by Gary »

Thanks, guys!
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bassboy
Posts: 88
Joined: Jan 02, 2019

by bassboy »

Not sure what others' experiences are with this, but I've found Ultra-Pure valve oil to be miraculous. Everybody I've let try it, both on Thayers and rotary valves alike seem to prefer it. Haven't tried it on pistons, but I'm not sure it should be all that different.
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Bonearzt
Posts: 833
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Bonearzt »

Yamaha, Ultra Pure, Hetmans, Al Cass, etc.....

All good when used REGULARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric
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Neo_Bri
Posts: 1342
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Neo_Bri »

[quote="JohnL"]If you do decide to experiment, be careful mixing oils. Synthetics and non-synthetics do not mix well.[/quote]

I've heard from several people recently that the newer synthetics mix just fine, but I'm still cautious about it.
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ssking2b
Posts: 487
Joined: Sep 29, 2018

by ssking2b »

I use Denis Wick valve oil on all my horns with piston or rotary valve. Over the years I have tried all the brands mentioned here, but hands down, the Denis Wick is faster, less weather affected, and outlasts them all.

I do use Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant (formerly called Trombone Slide Oil), or as it is called by some Yama-snot, on all trombone slides. It absolutely beats everything else - and Ive been playing since all of us used cold creme and water!
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Vegastokc
Posts: 211
Joined: Jun 15, 2018

by Vegastokc »

[quote="ssking2b"]I use Denis Wick valve oil on all my horns with piston or rotary valve. Over the years I have tried all the brands mentioned here, but hands down, the Denis Wick is faster, less weather affected, and outlasts them all.

I do use Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant (formerly called Trombone Slide Oil), or as it is called by some Yama-snot, on all trombone slides. It absolutely beats everything else - and Ive been playing since all of us used cold creme and water![/quote]

I'm still using cold cream and water. :lol:

I tried to use that industrial size jar of Ponds from the beauty care products section but I think they changed the formula.

So I guess Y-snot it is! :good:
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Neo_Bri
Posts: 1342
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Neo_Bri »

How does weather affect oils and lubricants?
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JohnL
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by JohnL »

[quote="Neo Bri"]How does weather affect oils and lubricants?[/quote]
Depends on which one you're talking about. I don't live in an area where cold is a problem, but I've had bottles of Yamasnot go bad after being left in the car on a hot day. Valve oils (synthetic or petroleum-based) can usually stand high temperatures better than a human, so heat isn't a problem. OTOH, I've had both Schilke and Selmer tuning slide greases go thin in hot weather (and the Schilke stuff takes to smelling like an overheated sheep).

The one cold-related issue I occasionally run into is with my Conn 24I. I tend to get a lot of condensation in the valves in cold weather, and the condensation (mostly water) gets in with the valve oil and results in slow or even sticking valves.
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mrdeacon
Posts: 1225
Joined: May 08, 2018

by mrdeacon »

[quote="Neo Bri"]<QUOTE author="JohnL" post_id="101181" time="1577896122" user_id="119">
If you do decide to experiment, be careful mixing oils. Synthetics and non-synthetics do not mix well.[/quote]

I've heard from several people recently that the newer synthetics mix just fine, but I'm still cautious about it.
</QUOTE>
Same.

Hetman is definitely finicky depending on what it mixes with but it's not a big deal.
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Basbasun
Posts: 496
Joined: Mar 26, 2018

by Basbasun »

[quote="Vegastokc"]<QUOTE author="ssking2b" post_id="103686" time="1580750254" user_id="3785">
I use Denis Wick valve oil on all my horns with piston or rotary valve. Over the years I have tried all the brands mentioned here, but hands down, the Denis Wick is faster, less weather affected, and outlasts them all.

I do use Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant (formerly called Trombone Slide Oil), or as it is called by some Yama-snot, on all trombone slides. It absolutely beats everything else - and Ive been playing since all of us used cold creme and water![/quote]

I'm still using cold cream and water. :lol:

I tried to use that industrial size jar of Ponds from the beauty care products section but I think they changed the formula.

So I guess Y-snot it is! :good:
</QUOTE>
I guess you tried trombotine?

I used ponds & water years ago until the formula changed. Tried all stuff there is. I use trombotine.
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Vegastokc
Posts: 211
Joined: Jun 15, 2018

by Vegastokc »

[quote="Basbasun"]<QUOTE author="Vegastokc" post_id="103690" time="1580752213" user_id="3403">

I'm still using cold cream and water. :lol:

I tried to use that industrial size jar of Ponds from the beauty care products section but I think they changed the formula.

So I guess Y-snot it is! :good:[/quote]
I guess you tried trombotine?

I used ponds & water years ago until the formula changed. Tried all stuff there is. I use trombotine.
</QUOTE>

I am actually mostly using Trombotine these days. (Its basically cold cream :P )

I remember not liking when I was younger.

But now I think it is the best value - especially since I usually clean my slides and reapply at least every two weeks. :good:

Also, I find it is pretty forgiving if you put too much on; It will be still be gummy but you play through it with a few extra squirts from the bottle. :lol:

I will also work in some Slide o Mix and the aforementioned Yamaha goo from time to time.