Just bought a new ‘bone - what else do I need?

[NuhJuhKuh]

Apologies first of all if this is in the wrong sub forum!

I’ve finally bitten the bullet and ordered the Christ Stearn bass from Wessex Tubas (I’ve wanted one since it was first announced…. 9, 10 years ago? But simply have not had the means until now?), and will be ordering a Markey 87 from Thomann to go with it.

But… what else do I need? I used to know what accessories were required with owning a ‘bone, but it’s a while since I’ve actively played, and I’m not currently in a band or know any trombone players near me to ask. I’m thinking.. slide lube, rotor oil and something for the tuning slide? I think I can wait for mutes until I’m in a group again, but what about a trombone stand for practicing?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Also wouldn’t mind any suggestions for method books

Cheers,
Neil

[Nomsis]

you can live well without a trombone stand, especially at home when you have enough space for the trombone. Nevertheless having one can be very handy especially when playing outside your home.
I would strongly recommend getting some cleaning utilitys right at the start because otherwise you probably will get them too late or never and your trombone may live uncleaned forever, which is neither good for your trombone nor for you

[BGuttman]

I would suggest the following:

Trombone "care" kit, which will include slide lube, tuning slide grease, a water spray bottle, a cleaning snake, a a mouthpiece brush, and a pencil.
Rotary valve lube. The stuff sold as "French Horn oil" is perfect.
A cleaning rod and a package of cheesecloth.
I don't know if the horn has string linkages, but if it does you need some replacement string. I use ice fishing line -- polyester braided and 40 pound test (in Europe it may be sold as 20 Kg test). For a couple of Euros you can get two lifetimes' supply.
A tuner. The small ones that look like credit cards or the Snark type will be fine, or you can get an app for your smart phone or computer.
A metronome. A small one that looks like a pocket watch will be fine, or you can get an app for your smart phone or computer.
A music stand.
Music for the music stand

[StephenK]

Slide cleaning rod of some description, eg the slide o mix one, flexible snake brush, mouthpiece brush

[blast]

People have said kind things in the past, but Christ Stearn is taking it too far. Please check the instrument carefully for any production faults...I've had some worrying feedback about fit of parts. Wessex try their very, very best to be on top of QC but nobody is perfect.

[NuhJuhKuh]

People have said kind things in the past, but Christ Stearn is taking it too far. Please check the instrument carefully for any production faults...I've had some worrying feedback about fit of parts. Wessex try their very, very best to be on top of QC but nobody is perfect.

Oops! I should checked that before posting. Thanks for the heads up too btw, is there anything in particular I should be looking out for? And what would be the best recourse if something is wonky - return to Wessex for a replacement or take to a local tech?

Cheers,
Neil

[blast]

Make sure the leadpipe is snug. Inner and outer slides fit well and valves are airtight. Wessex stand by their products and will look after you.

[Posaunus]

A few comments / addenda from my personal trombone hygiene protocol:

• Skip the metal coil/nylon brush "snake." Instead, get an HWP Brass-Saver (soft pull-through brush with a long plastic lead ribbon – will pass through the entire outer slide, including the end crook!)
  Note that for effective water removal, the Brass-Saver brush should be wiped dry with a small towel between multiple passes through the slide.
  I use the “Tuba” size for my large-bore trombones.

• Slide lube: Go for the good stuff - Yamaha Slide Lubricant or Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort.
  Do not let them get overheated or they will deteriorate rapidly.

• Do not mix petroleum and synthetic valve lubricants. I now use all synthetics, from either Hetman or Ultra-Pure:
  * Rotor and casing (applied - at least for a single valve trombone - into the bell section hand-slide receiver): Hetman #2 PISTON oil or #12 ROTOR oil (I think they’re the same product) - or Ultra-Pure Professional Valve Oil.
  * Rotor spindle (under the valve cap): Hetman #14 BEARING & LINKAGE - or Ultra-Pure Light Bearing Oil.
  * Valve linkage joints: Hetman #14 BEARING & LINKAGE oil - or Ultra-Pure Ultra-Pure Linkage Lever & Key Oil.
  (These are the ones I use; others may prefer different products.)

• Instead of cheesecloth, you can use strips of old cotton bedsheet carefully wrapped around a cleaning rod. I prefer to dry my inner slides with a Slide-O-Mix terry cloth "towel sheath" for the cleaning rod (blue sheath for large-bore slides) – but be careful to not disturb the upper slide leadpipe!

[hyperbolica]

If you're getting this new, cleaning the slide (inside and out) is important, especially from Wessex. You'll get black gunk out of it for several cleanings. Cheese cloth wrapped around the rod to clean the outers, and a cloth to wipe the inners. Don't be discouraged by the break-in period . Also make sure you have a flexible snake and Dawn detergent.

I'd recommend the Yamaha slide lube stuff, light oil for inside the valve, heavier oil for the joints. Vaseline for the tuning slides.

I'd also get some 90% alcohol spray and a mouthpiece brush, and maybe one of those fancy Yamaha two-sided polishing rags.

The case it comes with is serviceable - similar to the protec Max I believe.

After that spend money on books. For bass bone get some Arbans variation, Aharoni non-classical , Brad Edwards and others

[NuhJuhKuh]

Make sure the leadpipe is snug. Inner and outer slides fit well and valves are airtight. Wessex stand by their products and will look after you.

Thanks again! I reckon I could suss out the lead pipe and slides, but how does one check for airtight-need of valves?

After that spend money on books. For bass bone get some Arbans variation, Aharoni non-classical , Brad Edwards and others

I’ve been noodling around “mountain Peak Music” and fancy downloading the “Comeback Chops” pdf and a couple of others, do you reckon these look good?

Rotary valve lube. The stuff sold as "French Horn oil" is perfect.

Thank you Bruce! I was wondering what kind of valve oil to get, and yes French Horn stuff makes sense

To everyone who’s given me *excellent cleaning advice… I used to give my previous trombone a bath periodically- is that still a thing, or not really recommended any more?

Cheers,
Neil