E c k r o t h Music

A Tradition of Music and Education

OUR TECHNICIANS

J E F F ANDERSON One of our newest repair technicians, Jeff recently joined our White Bear Lake crew. Previously Jeff had
been repairing instruments in S t Paul, Minnesota and was also operating as a "one-man repair shop" 'm Minneapolis, He is a
graduate of Red Wing in 1985 and has 20 years of repair experience. We are proud to claim htm as a member of our team.
DAN CHARNEY Dan attended the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire as a music/liberal arte major and graduatedfromthe
Red Wing VTl with a certificate in Band Instrument Repair. His performing background includes flute, clarinet, saxophone, and
bassoon in theatre orchestras, jazz and blues groups.
SARA CHARNEY Sara attended the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire as a muse education major and graduated from
Red Wing VTl in 1993. Sara specializes mfluteand piccolo repair. Her musical background includes playingfluteand piccolo m
concert bands, orchestras and musical theater as well as in localflutechoir Tlutopia."
DAVE HANSEN Dave Hansen is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead in music education with a trombone major.
Dave has worked in instrument repair for 15 years and is currently the organist for Grace Lutheran Church of Fargo.
MILT HANSON Since graduating from Red Wing VTl in 1987, M8t has pfied his trade as the Technicianforthe McDonald's All
American Marching band and workedtokeep the band instruments of two Rose Bowls in perfect working order. A former hand
director and NAPBIRT master clinician, Eckroth Music is lucky to borrow MSt from his own shop "Uncle Mifty's Band Instrument
Repair* several days each week. As it that weren't enough, Milt has restored the old schoolhouse in Amegard, ND to serve as a
bed and breakfast (www.oldschoolbb.com), which he owns and operates.
DARRELL HENNEMAN Darrefl graduated from Moorhead VoTech in welding. DarreB has been a repair technician since
1987, and joined the Eckroth Muse Repair team in 1999.
LUCAS PEMBERTON Lucas joined Eckroth Music as a graduate of Redwing VTl and is a certified NAPBIRT repair
technican. Several professional players and directors regard his work as "top notch." Currently, Lucas serves as an Adjunct
Instructor at MN State College - SE Technical (Redwing) and serves on the Advisory Board.
ELDIE QUARNSTROM Eldie has been involved in the musical instrument repair business since the 1970's. Eldie
apprenticed under Hugo Neumann in Spencer, Iowa.
RICHARD SHERMAN Richard joins the Eckroth Repair team from Kansas City with 42 years of repair experience under his
belt. He attended Kansas University and University of Missouri Kansas City, and has repaired instrumentsformany national artists
such as Ph8 Woods, John Williams, the Count Basie Band, Rick Braun, and Phyllis DIer as well as local jazz, blues and symphony
artiste.
JOHN SINZ John holds a bachelofs degree in musicfromYoungstown University, and did graduate work at Ohio university
and studied with Leonard Sharrow at Indiana University. After two years teaching in North Carolina he worked at Fox Products
building and tuning bassoons and oboes. He currently plays bassoon and contra-bassoon in tie Billings Symphony Orchestra as he
has in a dozen orchestras since 1961. His hobbies include baking, biking, gardening, hunting, woodworking and competitive
shooting.
MIKE STREICH Mike is a graduate of Mind State University with a degree in music education. He is certified in band
instrument repair by the Red Wing VTl and has over 15 years of experience. Mike has served as a clinician on woodwind repair for
the Montana Bandmasters.
THADDEUS WIGHT Thaddeus is just as at home behind his workbench in our Bismarck store as te is behind the bars of his
hog (an FLSTF Port & Polished 100 horse Hartey Davidson Fat Boy - in case you were wondering). Armed with a Degree from
Renton VoTech Institute and over 15 years of repair experience, Thaddeus has started and managed four repair shops throughout
Washington state, and has worked doing restoration of period instrumentsforthe Keene Private Museum. An avid angler,
Thaddeus plans on collecting his share of walleye duringfishingseason.

Preface
The information included in this packet was developed to help both the band director and the
student to maintain and preserve the instruments used daily in the band room. The main focus will
be on band instruments. Information regarding percussion will be available at a later date.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance is the key to preserving the longevity and performance of all instruments. The

*"

maintenance pages were written with the student in mind. These pages provide daily, monthly, and
yearly care routines to keep their instrument at optimum performance. Feel free to copy and
distribute these pages to your students and parents.
Nomenclature
The nomenclature section includes pictures of instruments broken down and labeled to help
identify each part. This will help to find the name of a key or part on an instrument that may not be
your main instrument. When dealing with your repair shop, knowing the proper name will make it
easier for both you and the repair technician to find the solution to your problem.
Emergency Repairs
The emergency repair section has quick solutions to the common problems often arising on the

day of a performance. These tips and tricks will help to limp an instrument along until your qualified
repair technician can service it
While some band directors may choose to perform repair work themselves, it is recommended that
a qualified repair technician do the work. With all the variables involved, what seems to be a simple
repair may have complicated factors that a good repair technician will be able to spot. Attempting
to perform your own repair work could turn an inexpensive repair into a costly one.
Disclaimer
The information included here may differ from what you have heard from other sources, but is what
I have found to be the most successful over the years in dealing with directors, parents, and
students. These methods are not steadfast rules, rather a starting point from which to develop
methods you find successful. Just keep in mind that whatever you do to an instrument, be sure it
will not harm it in any way. If you are unsure of anything feel free to call your repair shop. A quality
shop will be glad to take the time to assist you in any way.
Thank you,
Lucas Pemberton
/

1'

.:v-N

Good service doesn't just

happea It's the result ol good
management, sound business
organization and a lot of
money investment
You cani judge the value of a
service bfll solely by the
amount oftimeit takes to
complete the work
,
We appreciate your business
and we look forward to
serving you again soon.
Thank you.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

ADVERTISING & PROMOTION

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

INSURANCE
FIRE, THEFT. PROPERTY
& WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION

OFFICE RENT

TIME
ON THE JOB

SHOP RENT

OFFICE HELP AND

FOLLOW-UP

PENSION & HEALTH

BENEFITS

OFFICE SUPPLIES

ACCURATE TEST
EQUIPMENT

TAXES. SOCIAL
SECURITY, ETC.

Flute / Piccolo Care

Daily Care
1. When removing your flutefromits case never pick it up by its keys. Remove it by the ends where there
are no keys.
2. Put theflutetogether with a slow back-and-forth twisting motion, never push or pull the flute when
assembling or disassembling. This can cause the instrument to become bent at the joints.
3. Each time you put the flute together a small amount of debris wiH bu8d-up on the tenons (this is normal),
however, this can make it difficult to assemble. Always wipe the tenons (joints) with a soft cloth before
assembling.
4. The use of lubricants on the tenons is not recommended. Grease attracts dirt, and this can cause
damage over time. The only exception to this rule is on some piccolos and wood flutes that have cork joints.
You should apply a smafl amount of cork grease to these joints, as needed, to aid in assembly.
5. After you are finished playing, use a cleaning rod with an absorbent cloth to swab out the inside of all
parts to remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the outside of theflute,with a soft cloth, to remove oils or
perspiration caused by your hands. When your flute becomes tarnished, a silver polishing cloth (available at
your music store) can be used to return the luster of yourflute.Polishing doths contain an abrasive that
overtimecan remove plating. Polishing cloths should be used only when needed.
6. Always store your flute in its case when not in use. This helps prevent damage and aids in keeping the
instrument from tarnishing. Do not place anything in the case that can press on the flute. This can bend
keys. Cleaning cloths and polishing doths should be kept out of the case, tied to the case handle is a
convenient storage spot
Monthly Care
<

Check all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take yourfluteto a repair shop to
have them adjusted. It is not suggested mat you try and adjust them yourself because they can be over
tightened or damaged.
Yearly Care
It is recommended that you have your instrument checked and adjusted once a year by a repair shop. The
shop may find adjustments or worn pads that are affecting the optimal performance of your instrument

Clarinet/Oboe Care
Daily Care
1. When removing your instrument from its case never pick it up by the keys. Remove it by the ends where
there are no keys.
2. When putting your instrument together, first apply a small amount of cork grease to the tenon corks.
3. Put the instrument together with a slow badc-and-forth
twisting motion, never push or pull the instrument when
assembling or disassembling. This can damage the tenon
or tear the cork. These instruments are setup to be
assembled post-to-post, not key-to key. Be sure to align the
posts carefully, or the instrument may not play properly.
4. When tightening the screws on the clarinet ligature, the
device that holds the reed on the mouthpiece, take care not
to over tighten them as this can cause the screw to break.
Apply a small amount of grease to the oboe reed cork to
help put it on.
5. After you are finished playing, puB a cleaning swab
through all parts of the instrument to remove moisture.
CarefriHy wipe off the outside of the instrument and keys to
remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
6. Always store your instrument in its case when not in use.
This helps prevent damage and aids in keeping the
instrument clean. Do not place anything in the case that car
press on the keys. This can bend them.
Monthly Care
Check all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take your instrument to a repair
shop to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself because they can be
over tightened or damaged.
Yearty Care
It is recommended that you have your instrument checked and adjusted, if needed, by a repair shop. The
shop may find adjustments or worn pads that are affecting the optimal performance of your instrument.

Saxophone Care
Daily Care
1. When removing your saxophone
from its case never pick it up by the
keys. Remove it by picking it up by
the bell.
2. When assembling your
saxophone be sure to wipe the neck
joint and inside of the receiver with a
soft cloth. This wil make it easier to
assemble. Do not grease the tenon.
Grease attracts dirt, and this can
cause damage over time.
3. Apply a small amount of cork
grease to the neck cork to help the
mouthpiece move into position.
4. When tightening the screws on
the ligature, the device that holds
the reed on the mouthpiece, take
care not to over tighten them this
can cause the screw to break.
5. After you are finished playing, pull a cleaning swab through the saxophone to remove moisture.
Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument and keys to remove oils or perspiration caused by
your hands.
6. Always store your saxophone in its case when not in use, this helps prevent damage and aids in
keeping the instrument dean. Do not place books or folders in the case-this can bend keys.
Monthly Care
Check all screws and pivots to s e e if they are coming loose. If the are, take your saxophone to a
repair shop to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself
because they can be over tightened or damaged.
Yearly Care
It is recommended that you have your instrument checked and adjusted, if needed, by a repair
shop. The shop may find adjustments or worn pads that are affecting the optimal performance of
your instrument.

Piston Valve Instruments

(Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba, etc)
Because of the smalt tolerances in the piston valves of a trumpet,
euphonium or a tuba, preventive maintenance and daily care are
essential to the long lite and proper rnechanical workings of
your instrument Getting in the habit of this type of preventive
maintenance will add years of life to the instrument and keep
rjerforrnance problems to a minimum.

Daily Care
1. Valves on brass instruments need to be lubricated on a regular basis.
To do this for trumpets:
(a) Remove first valve slide byfirstdepressing first valve, (b) With trumpet sitting on bell apply a liberal
amount of oil to each tube, (c) With trumpet still sitting on belt, work all three valves together. This wiR allow
the oil to get to each valve (any excess oil will come out of third valve slide water key.) (d) Reinstall first
slide.
To do this for euphoniums and tubas:
(a) Unscrew the valve cap and puH the valve out about half way. (b) Apply several drops of valve oil to the
wide part of the valve, (c) Push the valve back into position making sure that it is lined up correctly. (Note):
The valve has a guide that keeps it in place. Be sure guidelines up with slot in valve casing. Make sure
valve is depressed slightly before tightening valve cap.
2. Occasionally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the horn. If this happens donl
force to remove it - this can cause major damage to the instrument Take it to a
repair shop or music store to have it removed.
3. After you are finished playing make sure you remove any excess rnoisture from
the inside of the horn by opening the water keys and blowing through the
instrument Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument to remove oils or
perspiration caused by your hands.
4. Always store your instrument in its case when not in use. This helps
prevent damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place
books or folders in the case. This can bend slides and cause valve problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check all slides to see that they move freely and lubricate them with slide grease if needed.
2. The inside of your instrument needs to be cleaned regularly. This may not be needed every month but
should be done at least every 3 months. See the section on Brass Cleaning for more information.
Yearly Care
You should have your instrument professionally cleaned once a year. Professional repair shops have the
ability to chemically clean your instrument which is a more thorough cleaning than can be done at home.

French horns
Daily Care
1. The French horn is a more complicated instrument than the
other valve instruments and requires special care. Rotary valves
should be oiled once or twice every week. Unlike typical piston
valves, proper oiling of rotary valves requires two separate kinds
of oil: a lightweight "rotor" oil (such as Yamaha Rotor Oil), and a
Heavy 'spindle or bearing" oil (such as Yamaha Spindle oil).
Here is the proper method for oiling rotary valves.
(a) First, push in all valve slides
with the valves depressed. Next, remove
each valve's back plate one by one. Place a drop or two of the heavy oil (again,
Yamaha spindle ofl) on the raised circle now visible after removing the back plate.
Replace back plate, and repeat for each valve.
(b) Now, place a drop of the medium oil on the spindle on thefrontof the valve, just above the
bumpers.
(c) Now, remove each valve slide and squirt a fair bit of lightweight oil
(Yamaha rotor oil) into the slide. Replace the valve slide, flipping the valve rapidly to
distribute the oil evenly over the valve core. Repeat for each valve. Care should be
taken to not wash heavier slide greasefromthe inside of the slide tubes down into
the valve casings. This can slow the valve action and make them stick.
It is imperative that you oil your valvesfrequentlyand property to maintain their maximum efficiency. Be sure
to oil them whenever the slightest drag or slowing occurs or rf they become especially noisy. This technique
should be used on ad rotary valves, including the attachments found on trombones, fifth valves on piston
tubas, and all usual rotary valves found on French horns and tubas.
2. Occasbnally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the horn. If this happens don't try force to remove it - this
can cause major damage to the instrument Take it to a repair shop or music store to have it removed.
3. Always store your instrument in "its case when not in use. This helps prevent damage and aids in keeping
the instrument dean. Do not place books or folders in the case. This can bend slides and cause rotor
problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check all slides to see that they move freely and lubricate them with slide grease if needed.
Yearly Care
You should have your instrument professionally deaned once a year. Disassembly and should only be
attempted by a professional repairman.

10

Trombone Care
Daily Care
1. Great care is needed when handling your trombone. Although the
trombone is a very simple instrument with very few moving parts, they
are very fragile and require a lot of care. The slightest misalignment or
dent on the hand slide can ruin the joy of playing the instrument. Any
damage in the inner or outer tubing of the hand slide should be left to
the professional repairman. The smallest bump or dent in the slide can
cause problems with its proper movement Due to the precision needed
in adjustment of the slide, repairs are time consuming and costly so...Be
Careful!
The Bass and F attachment trombones have rotary valves. The care of those valves, other than normally
oiling with rotor oil, should be left to those who are experienced with rotary valves or your repairman.
2. The slide needs to be lubricated on a regular basis. Apply a smaB amount of slide oil or cream to the
stocking area of the slide as needed. The stocking is at the very end of the inner slide.
3. Occasionally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the trombone. If this happens don't try force to remove it
- this can cause major damage to the instrument. Take it to a repair shop or music store to have it removed.
4. After you arefinishedplaying make sure you remove any excess moisture from the inside of the
trombone by opening the water key and blowing through the instrument. Carefully wipe off the outside of the
trombone to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
5. Always store your trombone in its case when not in use. This helps prevent damage and aids in keeping
the instrument clean. Do not place books or folders in the case. This can bend the slide and cause
problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check the tuning slide to see that it moves freely and
lubricate it with slide grease if needed.
2. The inside of your trombone needs to be cleaned regularly.
This may not be needed every month but should be done at
least every 3 months. See the section on Brass Cleaning for
more information.
Yearly Care
You should have your instrument professionally cleaned once a
year. Professional repair shops have the ability to chemically clean
your instrument which is a more thorough cleaning than can be
done at home.

11

Brass Cleaning
Brass instruments need to be cleaned internally on a
regular basis.
The following is a description of that process. Please
note that rotor instruments such as French Horns, Rotor
Tubas, and Rotor Trombones should not be cleaned at
home. They have special requirements and should only
be cleaned by a qualified repair shop.
To clean your instrument you must take it apart
^
\ ^ * ^ L j j i j m . j i i J - ny-JS^M
completely. You will also need some cleaning brushes
(available at music stores), valve oil, slide grease, and some liquid dish soap. You will also need a place to
clean the instrument Unless you have a large sink the bathtub is probably the best place.
1. Carefully remove all slides, valves and valve bottom caps (do not disassemble valves). Extreme care
should be taken with trombone slides as they are very delicate, especially when they are apart! If any of the
slides are stuck take your instrument to a repair shop to have them removed. They can be damaged if not
removed property.
2. Race all the parts, except for the valves, in lukewarm, not hot water containing some liquid dish soap
(Dawn works great), tet the instrument parts soak in the water for about 10 minutes.
3. While the instrument soaks, take the valves and run lukewarm water over them and brush out all
openings (ports) in the valves with the valve brush. Try not to get the felts wet as they will start to
deteriorate. Shake off any extra water and set valves aside to dry.
4. Next brush out a8 tubes with the "snake" and the valve casings with the valve brush. Be sure to clean any
debris from "inside the valve bottom caps.
5. Use clean water and rinse out the instrument Wipe off any excess moisture and set the "instrument aside
to dry thoroughly. It is important that the inside of your instrument is completely dry before you proceed.
6. Apply a small amount of slide grease to each slide and reassemble. Be sure not to put slide grease on
the main trombone slide. Use slide cream or slide oil on this slide.
7. Install the valve bottom caps (a small amount of grease on the threads wil help prevent a stuck valve
'
;
cap). Put several drops of valve oil on each valve and install them in their proper
^tv. "^?lk - \ S
^ t i - Valves are numbered and must be in the correct location to operate
!

oca

8. You are finished. Enjoy playing your newly cleaned instrument!

If you are comfortable with cleaning the horn yourself as described, you
should be able to alleviate a lot of potential problems. If you are not comfortable
performing the work yourself, have it done by a professional repairman as
preventive maintenance rather than when you have a problem.

12

f%%m

i *tm

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18

19

21

22

EUPHONIUM

23

".../ don't know. It was like this when I opened the case..."

Woodwind Problems and Emergency Repairs

The following tips are to be used to keep an instrument temporarily playing unti it can be sent to a shop for
proper repair. Use al! techniques with caution.

Flute

~~
ft

^i:

Loose head cork

1. Remove head crown and push cork out tenon end.
2. Tighten stopper nut to expand cork. Tighten, if
possible, until cork stops at embouchure
when dropped into head joint
3. Using cleaning rod push cork the rest of the way in
until the mark on rod is in center of embouchure
hole.
4. Reinstall head crown and secure.
5. Getfluteto a repair shop for head cork replacement
as soon as possible.

HE
r.
The head joint is hard to get in
1. Use cork grease or key oil on the tenon. Work the tenon in socket back and forth unfit warm.
Remove tenon and wipe off dirt and lubricant. (Tenons should be used dry and clean because
grease or oil attracts dirt and acts as abrasive.)
2. If above fails, get to a repair shop. Tenons may be out of round or dented.
Only a few notes play
1. Check if trill keys are dosed. If they are open, a spring is unhooked or sprung
backwards.
2. Make sure C hinge rod is in property so Bb/A key is not binding or flopping.
3. Make sure G# key is not bent
4. Make sure there are screws, washers, or snaps in ail the proper places
Bb doesn't work
1&1 Bb
1. Check if C hinge rod is in property.
2. Make sure adjustment screw or bar is correct The bar may be bent or
missing cork.
Thumb Bb
1. Check rf thumb lever is missing cork orfeltor if it is bent
2. Check if the bar is bent or is missing cork
Sticky pads
1. Use dgarette papers or pad papers (available at music stores). Put the paper
between the pad and the tone hole, hold key Tightly and pull paper towards you.
NOTE: Dollar bills are very dirty and should not be used.

25

Key clicks
1. Check the touch piece of the Bb lever to see if it is bent
2. G# key may be bent and touching sides of G key or hitting the trill keys.
3. One of the keys may be rnissing a cork
A key does not open properly
1. The spring may have to be strengthened to keep key open or closed.
2. Spring may be broken.
3. Key may be bent
4. For the above problems get in to a repair shop for proper adjustment
Loose screws
1. Use low strength Locktite on the screw after screw is property set Clear
fingernail polish may also be used.
Bent body
1. Send to shop.
2. The keys may also be bent if body is bent.

Clarinet

Only a few notes play

1. Make sure pads are where they are supposed to be.
2. Make sure throat A-key screw is not too tight, leave a little lost
motion.
3. Check if any closed key is bent off of the tone hole.
4. A spring may be unhooked causing a pad to remain open or
closed.
5. Make sure pivots or hinge rods are not in too tight
Key clicks
1. Check for bent keys.
2. Check for missing key corks.
1 & 1 Bb doesn't work
1. Check if bridge key is bent
2. Check if cork is on bridge key.
3. Make sure in putting horn together it is aligned post-to-post not key-to-key.
4. Be careful in assembling clarinet so that in the assembly process bridge key
does not get bent
Key doesn't work
1. Check for unhooked spring.
2. Make sure pivot saews or hinge rods are not in too tight to cause a key to bind.
3. Make sure a key is not bent and causing another one to stay open.
4. On old or poorly maintained instruments, make sure the rods are not rusted or
frozen.

26

Horn plays flat

1. Try a stiffer reed.
2. Have the horn checked for proper playing condition.
3. May have to have the barrel trimmed about 2 mm.
A is stuffy
1. The touch piece is bent too dosety to the body.
2. Cork on the key is too thick.
E/B does not work
t. The crow's foot is bent Hold the F/C pad cup down and gently lift the foot.
Check the adjustment with the other pad.
Screws are loose
1. Use low strength locktite to set saews after property adjusted.
Thumb rest is loose
1. If the screws are loose, larger thumb rest screws may be needed.
2. Saew holes may be stripped and damaged. Holes will need to be filled and
redrilted.
Lower ring key doesnt work
1. The bridge key is bent, or the ring key is bent
2. The cork is too thick in the bridge key.
3. The rings may be bent and rubbing on the tone hole chimney.
Tenon cork is loose or missing
1. Wrap tenon with masking tape. Use just enough to make joint fit snug.
2. Get it to repair shop as soon as possible for replacement
3. For those deadest on repladng tenon corks on their own use the following procedure.
(See diagram on Mowing page for example.)

Saxophone

Sticky pads
1. Use cigarette paper or pad paper (available at music
stores) to remove gunk from pad/tone hole.
2. Use a strip of 600 grit sandpaper with the grit side
against tone hole. Gentry hold down the key with the
sandpaper underneath and gently pull the paper out.
3. Dollar bills, white commonly used, are usually very
dirty and will put more dirt on the pad rather than
removing it

27

root o a a c m

BUPMO
TO*

vow

contact cemm usad, *PP>Y to this ride

CORK 5 T f

TENON

INCORRECT

NOT

BCVfUTO.

Tenon Cork Replacement

1. Clean off old cork and glue or shellac and
wipe off old greasefrombody (do not use
alcohol on plastic clarinets.)
2. Measure the width of cork and cut Cut a
bevel in one end.
3. Use contact cement on the bevel and the back
side of the cork and on the grooves on the
clarinet
4. Let the glue dry, put the beveled end on the
clarinet and wrap the cork around the tenon,
being sure to stay in the cork groove, until it
crosses the bevel.
5. Trim the bevel with a razor Wade.
6. Sand to fit using 220 grit sandpaper going with
the bevel as not to tear off the cork. The joints
should fittogetherabout half way without
lubrication.
7. Apply cork grease to the cork and assemble.

COSttCT

BEVELED

Saxophone (continued)

The horn squeaks when the high D is played.

1. The octave key on the neck is bent
2. The octave key thumb piece is bent
3. The top rod of the octave key is bent
4. The octave key on the neck stays open when the G is played. Possibly a sticky
body octave pad.
'
Cannot play low notes.
1. Check the screw or cork on the adjustment screw on the F# key.
2. Make sure Bb key adjustment screw is nottootight.
3. Make sure Eb, C and C# are closing properly.
4. Make sure Bb and B key are closing together.
5. Check that the neck tenon fits properly.

28

Cannot tighten neck.

1. Try putting cork grease on the neck screw, threads, and shoulder.
2. Screw the screw as tight as it will go by hand.
3. Unscrew the screw and put the neck in the socket and try screw.
Neck goes in hard.
1. Try key d or cork grease on the neck tenon and insert in socket.
2. Tighten the neck slightly and work back and forth until warm.
3. Remove the neck and wipe the tenon and the socket free of oil and grease.
4. Pry open screw slot slightly with a saewdriver and repeat above procedure.
Octave key stays open.
1 .You will have to bend the bottom of the octave key slightly and check if it stays open.
2. Check for a sticky body octave key.
Neck doesn't tighten.
1. Make sure neck screw is going in on the proper side.
Key sticks.
1. Make sure there are corks on the key feet.
2. Make sure there are bumper felts on the key guards.
3. Make sure the hinge rod and hinge tubes are not bent.
4. Make sure pad and tone hole are clean.
5. Make sure posts are not dented.
6. Make sure body is straight.
"A" doesn't play.
1. Make sure there is felt on the "A" touch piece.
2. Make sure A, Bb, and C are in adjustment
D plays stuffy.
1. Make sure the bumper felt on the C key is not too thick.

29

../ thought my dad could fix

anything..."

Emergency Brass repairs

Thefollowingtips are to be used to keep an instrument temporarily playing until it can be sent to a shop for
proper repair. Use all techniques with caution.

Tips common to all brass instruments

MOUTHPIECE STUCK
1. Use Mouthpiece puller. DO NOT EVER USE PUERSU
2. If mouthpiece is stubborn tap lightly with rawhide mallet while
Puller is on instrument
AIRY SOUND
1. Water key cork missing - Replace cork or place tape over water key nipple.
2. Water key is missing - Replace water key or place tape over water key nipple.
3. Bent water key - Straighten or tape water key nipple shut.
4. Tube unsoldered into valve section - Send to repair shop.
5. Foreign object in horn - Send in to repair shop.
6. Valves are excessively worn and dry - oil with a heavy valve oil.
MOUTHPIECE SHANK BENT
1. Use mouthpiece-truing tool
STICKY SLIDES
1. Pull apart and swab out re-grease.
STUCK SLIDE (small slides)
1. Do not attempt to pull stuck slides. Repair shops
charge very little for this, and attempting this on
your own could cause more damage and add to
the cost of the repair significantly.
PROBLEM: BUZZING
1. Broken solder joint - Send in to repair shop.
2. Top or bottom caps may be loose - Check all caps to be sure they are secure.
3. Finger button may be loose - Secure finger buttons.
4. Saews are loose - Check for loose saews and secure.
BROKEN BRACE (solder joint)
1. Wrap joint with dental floss several times, tying very tightly.
2. Use cable tie (a.k.a. zip strip) to secure brace.
3. Do not use tape to hold broken joints unless completely unavoidable. Tape residue
can be difficult to remove, and some shops charge extra to do so.
4. In any case, a broken joint should be repaired A . S A P . The longer a joint is broken the more
stress is put on other joints. These joints could break soon after the first adding a significant
amount to the cost of the repair.

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Piston Vaive instruments

NO SOUND COMING OUT

1. Valve in incorrect valve casing - Check to make sure each valve is in the proper casing.
2. Valve in wrong way - Be sure valve is installed so that the ports will line up.
3. Valve guide in wrong - most valve guides only go in one way, but worn valve guides can be
reversed. Check to make sure guides are not wom and are installed property. For Yamaha low
brass valve guides see diagram below.
4. Foreign object in hom - Check to be sure nothing is stuck inside the horn.

O YAMAHA
L o w B r a s s Valve Guide Maintenance

Yamaha piston instruments are currently equipped

with plastic valve guides with a metal insert. The part
number for the newest plastic guide is G0141093.
There is an all metal valve guide #G0141093N which
has limited availability.

Valve Button
Valve Button pad

The following diagram shows the assembly procedure

for the piston assembly.
Assembly tips for tuba pistons
1. Make sure the guide pin on the bottom of the
plastic guide fits into the smallest hole on the top
of the piston. The other larger hole is an air vent
2. Put a very small drop of low strength Lock Tight
on the threads (in the top of the piston) before
installing the valve stem. This will help keep the
stem from coming unscrewed, which causes the
guide to come loose and spin around on the
piston.
3. Just before tightening the stem, push the plastic
guide with your thumb so that the guide bp sticks
out over the piston as far 'as possible.
4. After oiling, place the piston very carefully back
into the casing aligning the guide tip with the
guide channel inside the casing. Make sure the
piston is all the way in before screwing down the top valve cap.

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Typical YBB201 Parts

H114U31

PLAYS STUFFY
1. Valves may not be aligned up or down - Send to shop for proper alignment
2. Missing water key cork - Replace cork.
STUCK VALVE
1. Horn has sat tootongwithout oiling - Oil valves through slide tubes and let sit
for several hours. Try to move valves by hand (do not force). If they are still
Stuck, reapply more oil. If oiling doesn't work, send to repair shop.
2. Dented casing - Send to repair shop.
3. Horn may be bent - Send to repair shop.
4. Bad spring - Send to repair shop.
5. Broken valve guide - Send to repair shop.
6. Valve may be broken or in wrong - Send to repair shop.
STICKY VALVES
1. Dirty valve - Wipe out casings, and wash valves. Oil, and reinstall valves.
2. Slight dent in casing or bend in valve - Send to repair shop.
3. Don't stretch springs. This only masks a problem and ruins a good set of springs.
VALVE TURNS IN VALVE CASING
1. Broken valve guide - Replace vafve guide.
2. Valve guide crooked in spring barrel - Make sure valve is assembled property.
VALVE PEARL IS FALLING OUT
1. Superglue pearl in place
TOP OR BOTTOM CAPS ARE FROZEN
1. Tap edge lightly with rawhide mallet.
2. Be careful not to hit beB or lead pipe.

P1STOH VHVt/rASIM WOWCMCIATWC

J
CASING EXrEKIOR

PISTON'tO*CKCLMtJRt

32

Rotary Valve instruments

ROTOR DOESN'T WORK
1. Broken spring - Send to repair shop for replacement.
2. Broken string - Restring using diagram below as a guide.
3. Needs to be oiled - Oil with rotor oil and spindle oil.
4. Dirty - Send to shop for chemical cleaning.
5. Back bearing not in correctly - Be sure back bearing is
installed correctly.
6. Valve cap on too tightly - Loosen cap slightly. Send to repair
shop to have Rotors refit
7. Horn may be out of alignment - Send to repair shop to be
aligned.
8. Rotor not strung properly - Be sure rotor is strung like diagram
below.

STRINGING LAYOUT F O R R O T A R Y V A L V E S

INCORRECT INTERVALS
1. Stop arms may be on wrong rotors- Remove valve cap and check to see
if witness marks line up. Switch stop arms on rotors that don't line up.
2. Valve slides in wrong spots - make sure long slide is in third position.
NOISY VALVES
1. Needs oil.
2. Bumpers are missing - Replace bumper material.
3. Valves need to be refit - Send in to shop.
4. Mechanical linkage may need to be oiled.
VALVES DO NOT LINE UP
1. Bumpers are missing - Replace bumper material.
2. Back bearing has moved - Be sure back bearing plate is located property.
GURGLES
1. Pull all slides, rotate several times to remove oil or water.

33

TROMBONE PROBLEMS
t

STICKY SLIDES
1. Dirty - Wipe out slide with a cleaning rod and cheese cloth.
2. Too much slide cream on slide - Remove excess slide cream.
3. Slide cream is added to slide without removing previous cream.
4. Dents in slide - Send in to repair shop.
5. Alignment - Send in to repair shop.
6. Red rot can cause scratchiness.
SLIDE CLICKS WHEN MOVING IN AND OUT
1. Slide lock is bent.
BUZZING
1. Broken solder joint
2. Sfide lock is loose - Apply a small amount of slide grease to
sfide lock ring and secure.

VAtVt SLtDC tWHCfcCUTtflg

3rd slide

l o w e r / i n n e r s l i d e tube

34