Well I ultrasonically clean my valves every few weeks. I've had great experience with it, and I love the job it does.
For the horn itself, if you rinse it out with a little soap and water every month, generally you'll never get any green buildup inside or dirt accumulating in the leadpipe. Remember to snake your slides/pipes out every now and then, too. With ultrasonic cleaning there are a few misconceptions. First, it will not always make your valves shiny. Ultrasonic cleaning does not remove any metal from the valve as far as I know, and it only removes dirt and oil. Second, is that just plain warm water alone may not get the valves clean. Sometimes I put soapy water in the cleaner with the first cycle, and use a rinse cycle second. Plain water cannot break away the oil like a little mild liquid soap can. With acid baths, you have to dunk the valve in the acid, then dunk it in a base to stop the reaction. Plus it does remove a small part of the valve - so you cannot acid bath your valves more than a two or three times a year at the most. I've given my valves an ultrasonic cleaning every month for eight months now, and so far it works like a dream. Hardly any dirt is building up on the valve, and even though they're not shiny anymore (it is a 14 year old horn), they aren't dirty either. To get the entire horn cleaned ultrasonically you have to take it to someone who has a gigantic cleaner. Since this can be expensive - it is sometimes far easier to just run preventative maintenence on your horn and rinse it with soap and water every now and then. Although, ultrasonic cleaning is harmless to metal pretty much, so you don't run much risk by having it done. -William In a message dated 9/7/2004 9:24:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi everyone, I'd like to hear from anyone who has had a horn ultrasonically cleaned, whatever your experience, good or bad, Contact me off list if you wish at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks mucho, Scott _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe or set options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
