Slide O Mix

[martinfan]

I'm sorry, but how do you get the best results with Slide-O-Mix?

[Bonearzt]

Trial & error.

Start with the suggestions on the bottles.

I'm not a huge SOM fan, but I find that most people do NOT use enough of ANY kind of lube!

And, your slide needs to be in good repair to begin with, otherwise no lube will suffice.

[tbonesullivan]

One thing I would add is that you definitely need to CLEAN the inner and outer slides, between every application if possible. The SOM can dry out and leave deposits that can cause issues with slides that have very tight tolerances. This is why Getzen / Edwards does not recommend the product.

[Bach5G]

What does Getzen-Edwards recommend?

[JLivi]

how do you get the best results with Slide-O-Mix?

Switch to yamaha

I think slide lubrication, whether it's liquid or cream, depends on the horns. I personally use yamaha for almost everything, and trombotine for some older slides. For me it was trial an error, but also there's something about how much space is between the outside of the inner and the inside of the outer slides. I can't remember which one is best for which scenario, but I found something that works for my horns and stick to it.

[Vegasbound]

Throw it in the bin, clean your slide and use the Yamaha snot

[tbonesullivan]

What does Getzen-Edwards recommend?

Originally, I think they recommended using Trombotine with a bit of the thin silicone stuff from Slide O Mix (the small bottle). Now they recommend just Trombotine.

https://www.edwards-instruments.com/tro ... intenance/

[Kevbach33]

If you're still hung up on switching away from Slide O Mix, have you considered Rapid Comfort? It's SO much easier to use than the 2-part formula. I switched to Rapid Comfort for that very reason and still use it for my bass.

But, I use Trombotine for my vintage slides due to clearance between inner and outer tubes. Either Slide O Mix (and I presume most liquid formulas) works best on slides with medium to tight clearance.

I definitely agree with keeping the slide very clean.

[BrassSection]

Purists may want to cover their eyes, but years ago I sent my King Tenor bone out for reconditioning, was facing rotator surgery and figured that would be a good time to do without it for awhile. Three months later I was recovered and good to play again, buddy at the music store loaned me a Bach. Couldn’t wait to get my horn back! After receiving my horn after a years absence, the slide was a little on the tight side. Dipped into a little bit of Mobil 1 motor oil. Small drop on each side, and a good dose of valve oil and it was smooth as silk. Took about two doses of the Mobil1 a month apart and 20 years later Blue Juice is all I use now. I use that oil as a one bottle solution for trumpet, French horn, euphonium, tuba and of course the bone. I’ve had good results on all.

[greenbean]

I used the 2-part SOM for a while when I first took up the trombone. But quickly discovered the SOM Rapid Comfort and Yamasnot. I recommend both!

[dcslideman]

I also like the SOM Rapid Comfort. If you have a good slide, a few drops works like magic. Sometimes, I don't even need anything the next time I play. After every few applications, I lightly wipe the stockings of slightly dried residue before applying. And of course, eventually you should swab the bore of the outers. I probably don't play as much as many of you, but his works for me.

[Digidog]

Dipped into a little bit of Mobil 1 motor oil. Small drop on each side, and a good dose of valve oil and it was smooth as silk. Took about two doses of the Mobil1 a month apart and 20 years later Blue Juice is all I use now. I use that oil as a one bottle solution for trumpet, French horn, euphonium, tuba and of course the bone. I’ve had good results on all.

These oils are just right for lubricating a slide or a valve; car engines run with very fine tolerances, so combining as you do, is just the way they work, and should be applied.

The only, quite big, issue with using a motor oil, is that the vapors they emit, however small amounts, are unhealthy to inhale. I don't know what Mobil 1 consists of, but my guess would be a mixture of mineral and synthetic oils, and I wouldn't recommend anyone to breathe those fumes in.

Sorry to deflate your fine idea, but I feel like I - at least - should give you a heads up.

[BrassSection]

I appreciate the concern, and the warning to others,but: As noted I only used it twice, about 1 drop per slide 20+ years ago. I get far more exposure to oil fumes from changing oil in my vehicles and tractors than I ever got from my horn. Made it this far in life, been around as long as the Chevy Corvette so my oil fear factor isn’t very high.

As a side note, my trombone gets maybe 45 minutes play time a week. Usual practice instrument is trumpet, unless there is something special in which I actually have music to use. Playing in a church band as the only brass player, trumpet and bone get 95% of usage, about equal total time per month, but weekly one horn may get all the play time while the other is on standby. Euphonium and French horn make up other 5% of playing. Found if I keep trumpet chops up, everything else comes easy, except for tuba, takes about a week to feel comfortable on it.

Playing with no music means I never hit a “wrong” note!

[Kbiggs]

Throw it in the bin, clean your slide and use the Yamaha snot

Better yet, use Ultra Pure, especially the Alessi Formula. An improvement over the very good YamaSnot.

FWIW, I used Trombotine for many years, and still do occasionally.

[whitbey]

I use the SOM combined formula for lubing rotary valves as I am allergic to the valve oils. Works great.
For my slide, I use yammasnott.

[CarlVicVogel]

I just switched to Yammasnott as that is what my repair guy put on the slide after a minor service to the horn.

Very happy with it so far!