[Dixielandjazz] Instrument sanitizing thread.

[Talegatorz at aol.com]

Over the years, I've bought, sold, repaired and tried out lots of instruments 
and have yet to catch so much as a sniffle from any of them. Maybe I have a 
good immune 
system, maybe not. Fears about contracting any disease from a used instrument 
are probably overblown. I'm sure someone has a tale to tell that will refute 
this. 
The main reason for cleaning is simply to improve performance. I've fixed 
lots of student horns that were just plugged up like a donut eating cop's 
arteries. Small toys and chewing gum have also been found on occasion. The best horn 
cleaning product is sold by Freree's and is called 'Slime Away.' It comes in 
powder form and can be mixed as needed. Rubber gloves need to be worn and 
prolonged soaking will damage jointing. It is unbelievable how much kuck can be 
washed or brushed out of a new looking instrument. I would imagine that any 
common lime, rust and mineral cleaner from the hardware store would do the same. 
These products are not for woodwinds unless one is willing to risk damaging 
wood, pads and cork. I have cleaned out saxes which were first disassembled for 
overhaul. There is also a spray product called Sterisol which claims to 
sanitize. It smells a bit like isopropyl alcohol. It is very useful for mouthpieces 
and offers the paranoid some peace of mind.

A few years ago, I met a gentleman who had a very old marching sousaphone 
type horn with a bell that faced over to the side. I can't remember what it was 
called and perhaps someone knows what type of bass horn it was. He said it was 
a Civil War era piece that he bought cheap from a pawn shop because it 
wouldn't play. The valves were good and outwardly it seemed OK. He said that in 
desperation he clamped a garden hose to the mouthpiece stem. Nothing came out. He 
walked away from it and after an hour or so the water came gushing out carrying 
with it more than a few decaying rat carcasses! Aside from regular valve 
oiling he has never performed any other maintenance and it sure sounded good to 
me.

Regards,

Gus Bloch