TromboneChat

I own a BAC Kansas and recently I've noticed a scratchiness in my slide. It's a metal on metal sound and it restricts my playing quite a bit. Unless I smear my slide with cream, it won't move without a scratching sound and the sound comes back pretty quick with the cream. When I try to use the 2 pot slide-o-mix, it runs out super quick (around 10 minutes) and often gets completely stuck at the top when I hold it vertical. I don't think I've hit it too hard before, any ideas what it could be?

Have you cleaned it?

• Cleaning / Regular Hygiene (Adopt a strict regular protocol and stick to it)

• Alignment / Dents (Visit a qualified trombone slide tech if cleaning doesn't do the trick)

Burgerbob wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 6:27 pm Have you cleaned it?

Yup, twice. With a snake and everything

eniwayzz wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 6:53 pm

Burgerbob wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 6:27 pm Have you cleaned it?

Yup, twice. With a snake and everything

Like this?

Burgerbob wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:56 pm

eniwayzz wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 6:53 pm

Yup, twice. With a snake and everything

Like this?

Yep, after 2 baths with a snake it still scratches. It's a metal on metal sound if that helps.

No, not a snake. The cleaning rod and cloth method.

I agree with Aidan. Don’t use the snake anymore unless absolutely needed. The metal on the snake cord can actually CREATE scratches on the inside of your outer tubes. Thus, producing MORE scratchy sounds.

Much better than the old-fashioned coiled-wire/stiff brush trombone snake:
The HWP Brass-Saver (soft pull-through brush with a long plastic lead ribbon – will pass through the entire outer slide, including the end crook!)

Before I use the Slide-O-Mix towel sheath as Aidan does, I pass the Brass-Saver swab through both inner slides (it's gentle, will not disturb the lead pipe), outer slide (one pass - goes all the way through), and bell section (will easily pass through a rotor or axial valve).

I use the “Tuba” size Brass-Saver for my large-bore trombones.

Note that for effective water removal, the Brass-Saver brush should be wiped dry with a small towel between multiple passes through the slide.

When followed by the final drying/polishing procedure with the towel sheath, you'll have a slide that will stay smooth and slippery indefinitely!