EMPIRE WINDS “ULTRA-CLEAN”
Recently, we have made a major investment and acquired
an ultrasonic cleaner for the interior cleaning of band
instruments. We have made this decision in order to provide
you with the most advanced and best method available
today to clean your instrument. We would like to provide you
detailed information of the advantages that makes this the
best cleaning method, when compared to standard chemical
methods used in most repair shops. We feel you will agree
that this is not only the proper method to care for your
instrument(s) for performance issues, but also a method that
will help prolong the life of your instrument for the years to
come.
CLEANING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
TRADITION
In the last 90 years, the cleaning of band instruments has
changed very little, until recently. Tradition has been to use
acid based solutions to remove the lime and scale deposits.
While modern chemistry has improved with time, things
haven’t really changed very much. Most repair shops still
used the 55-gallon drum of cyanide, muriatic, phosphoric,
sulfamic, chromic, or acetic-based solutions. These work by
either attacking the organic deposits, or the base metal itself
(the internal brass tubing). Most acids used in this process
are primarily used to “clean” the metal, and in doing so, most
etch the surface of these metals in various degrees.
LETS DEFINE THE TERM “CLEAN” !!
Each of us has a different interpretation of what we would
classify as a “clean” instrument. For some, filling and running
acidic cleaners into the tubing and flushing it out with water,
is considered clean. Using warm water and a cleaning brush
or snake is adequate to some. The “bright-dip” that some
shops use makes the instrument appear clean, while in fact
these acids are etching (removing) material, leaving the
surfaces irregular in texture.
I believe that the proper method is one which will remove all
unnecessary internal deposits, as well as leaving the base
metals intact, and unchanged. Ultrasonic cleaning does
this safely, in regard to the instrument properties, besides
being environmentally safe, and cleans instruments more
thoroughly than any type of chemical bath being used today.
Basically, it’s chemicals, or ultrasonics. You decide.
HOW ULTRASONIC CLEANING WORKS
The ironic thing about this type of cleaning method is that
Ultrasonic Cleaning of musical instruments is done with
“sound waves” sent through a liquid medium to
microscopically scrub clean all internal and external surfaces
wherever the cleaning solution is present. These sound
waves are sent through the liquid medium by a series of
“transducers”, which sends sound waves through the tank,
creating waves of compression and expansion of
microscopic bubbles, which expand and implode repeatedly,
creating a scrubbing action thousands of times a second
which removes all organic materials. This allows more
complete cleaning as even in the most complex geometry,
this cleaning method will remove more contaminates than its
chemical solution / brushing method counterpart.
Ultrasonics is used in many applications that most of us do
not think about. Jewelers, clock/ watchmakers, auto industry
manufacturers, as well as the band instrument
manufacturers themselves, use ultrasonics in various stages
of the manufacturing processes. The removal of drawing
fluids, buffing and lapping compounds, and various other
manufacturing contaminants are all removed via ultrasonic
cleaning.
OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU
Take any instrument you wish, to any other repair shop, and
have them clean your instrument. Then, bring it to us, where
we will inspect it together before, and after, we clean your
instrument using Ultrasonics. You do not only see a
difference, but you will notice a distinct playing difference,
that will amaze you. And don’t forget proper oils and oiling
methods!!
OUR ULTRASONIC CLEANING GURANTEE
Unless otherwise specified or requested prior, Empire Winds
will lubricate all brass instruments with our Zaja preferred
and recommended shop lubricants.
After delivery of your brass instrument and you faithfully use
those suggested products EVERY time you play your
instrument, if you should incur performance issues we WILL,
at NO charge, re-clean your instrument ultrasonically. Then,
you are free to use which ever brand of oil you find works
best for you. In the past 2 years, we have received ZERO
complaints!! It will happen eventually, as there are body
chemistry vs. oil compatibility issues, in a minority of
individual wind instrumentalists. But not as of yet…
Testimonials
Just a small list of local teachers/professional musicians
from whom we have received rave reviews either by phone,
email, or personal hand written letters of commendation:
George Coble – Principal Trumpet SSO
Jeff Stockham – Free lance trumpet virtuoso
Neil Coble – Accomplished T-bone player
Terry Caviness – Mexico Band Director
Andy Graziano - Central Square Band Director
Walt Vertigan – Liverpool Band Director
Bill Davern – West Genesee Band Director
Jim Demauro – Phoenix Band Director
Jim Bamonte – Local player/educator
Steve Carney – East Syracuse Band Director
Mark Bossert – CNS Band Director
John Laverty – SU Band Director
Bob Lyons – SU student
And the list continues to grow rapidly…..
.