[Dixielandjazz] trombone slide lubricants

[Michael H. Pittsley]

I'm a big advocate of using distilled water on a trombone slide.

For years, I used plain tap water; however, over a period of time, the
action of my slide began to deteriorate and I couldn't figure out why.  I've
always been fanatical about keeping my slide clean and properly lubricated.
It then occurred to me that perhaps the slide had developed a thin film of
mineral deposits that was impairing the slide action (I live in an area with
rather hard water).  To test my theory, I cleaned out my slide with a very
dilute solution of Lime-A-Way and water.  I completely rinsed out the slide
and then followed up with my normal slide cleaning and lubricating
procedure.  Wow!  The difference was dramatic.

The problem is that the build up of mineral deposits on a trombone slide are
so insidious and develop over such a long period of time that it's the last
thing you consider when the action begins to deteriorate.  I ran through the
entire spectrum of slide treatment and lubricating products and none of them
seemed to make a huge difference - then I tried the dilute Lime-A-Way
treatment and - Voila!  My slide has never felt better.

Slide-O-Mix and distilled water are my lubricants of choice.

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of W T
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 9:21 PM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] trombone slide lubricants

What do you 'bone players out there use these days for slide lubricant?

I have finally settled on Bach slide cream...has the advantages of cold 
cream, but doesn't seem to dry out. The slide can be wiped and the cream 
reapplied without cleaning. I gave up on UK's Trtombonetine after 40+ years.

One things I picked up in the last couple of years...use distilled water, 
not tap water, to spray on (I either found that on line or got it from Dan 
Barret...can't remember for sure. Like most 'bone p-lares, my greeting to 
other trombonists is, "Hey, how are you?" (hand shake) "What are you using 
on your slide these days?"

Wayne Travillion
Oregon Jazz Band



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