In order to keep your Haydn Trumpet in perfect playing condition you will need to regularly oil the 3 piston valves and lubricate the four tuning slides. Oiling the valves and lubricating the slides not only helps them to move more freely, but it is also an essential element in helping to prevent the metal components from corroding and “freezing” together.

Although any standard valve oil or slide grease can be used on our trumpets, we have found that Hetman® Musical Instrument Lubricants provide superior results which is why we use Hetman® lubricants exclusively and provide them with each of our horns.

How to oil your valves:

You will need Hetman® Classic Valve Oil, an old, large soft towel (it may get oil on it), and a small soft cotton cloth.

1. Lay out a soft towel on the floor or a table and place the trumpet on the towel.
2. Unscrew the top cap of the first valve and remove the piston, pulling it straight out (no twisting). Place it carefully on the towel. The first valve chamber should now be completely open.
3. Wipe the piston surface very gently with the cotton cloth until it is dry.
4. Place several drops of Hetman® Classic Valve Oil onto the sides of the valve chamber in order to lubricate it.
5. Generously oil both the bottom grey portion of the piston and the sides of the channel in the upper gold portion (where the white plastic valve guide moves up and down) with Classic Valve Oil. Insert the piston into the chamber watching to see that the valve guides are aligned with the notches on the inside of the valve chamber. Push the piston into the casing gently, then lift it about halfway out of the casing and add three or four drops more oil.
6. Insert the piston back into the casing, and twist gently until you hear the valve guide “click” and lock the piston into place. Place a drop of Hetman® No. 7 Slide Gel onto the threads of the valve cap. Screw the valve cap into place.
7. Wipe off any excess oil from the bottom valve cap.
8. Repeat for the other two valves.

You can experiment with adding a few drops of the Hetman® No. 5 slide oil to the pistons as well. Because it is a higher viscosity oil, it will give you even smoother action. If after adding No. 5 to the pistons the action becomes too slow, simply add a few drops of the Classic Valve Oil and it will thin the thicker oil and restore faster action. By experimenting with these two oils together, you can get just the right feel for each piston.

Note: If your valves appear “stuck” after oiling, or if the horn seems “plugged”, a valve is likely not seated properly. Simply remove the piston and re-set it making sure that you align the valve guides with the slots in the chamber then twist them gently into place until the clicking sound is heard and they lock into place. Clean and oil your valves often!

How to lubricate the slides:

You will need an old, large soft towel and Hetman® Slide Oil No. 5 and Slide Gel No. 7.

Lay the trumpet on a soft towel as is done when oiling the valves.

1. Remove the 1st, 2nd and Main tuning slides.
2. Partially unscrew (but don't remove) the retaining screw on the third slide so that it can be removed.
3. Remove the third slide.
4. Take each slide and carefully wipe any oil or grease from the surfaces.
5. Apply a ring of Hetman® Slide Gel No. 7 around each tube of the main tuning slide (the largest one). Insert the slide and work in and out. The main tuning slide is meant to slide smoothly, but to be very firm and not too easily moved.
6. Apply a ring of Hetman® Slide Oil No. 5 to all other slides and work in and out. The first and third slides should move freely. If even faster action is required, a drop of Classic Valve oil can be added to the slide.
7. Screw the third slide retaining screw back in tight to prevent the third slide from falling out.

Note: All Hetman® Lubricants are compatible with each other and can be used together. They are also compatible with conventional petroleum-based lubricants. Hetman® lubricants are nontoxic.

Cleaning your trumpet:

Fingerprints, excess grease, etc. are best removed from your trumpet with a very mild solution of dishwashing detergent and water on a very soft cloth. Take care not to use a cloth or towel with a rough surface as it will scratch your instrument. Even a soft bath towel will make fine scratches in the finish. Microfiber material is an excellent choice for polishing instruments. Should your silverplate finish become tarnished, we recommend the use of a Silver Polish Cloth – a special soft cloth impregnated with silver cleaner designed to clean silver surfaces. Silver polish can also be used to remove tarnish, but be aware that silver polish should not be used regularly, as it can be somewhat abrasive over time. Normal, routine cleaning is best accomplished with soap and water and a microfiber cloth.