Again with the sticking slide?
I recently received the most unexpected gift -- a Suzuki G-48 chromatic. Yeah, the Harpsmith has terrific, caring friends ;o)
The owner's manual recommended applying oil (#SHO-01) to both sides of the slide and spring holes. When I was a boy, I played numerous band instruments that required oil. Those instruments did not have reed valves, however.
Hey Winslow, and Chro players any thoughts on this recommendation from Suzuki?
Kinya
Thanx Winslow.
Keep us all posted.
P.S. did you receive my response to your email?
Kinya -
Yes I did, thanks. Very interesting.
I cleaned the G-48 slide assembly two days ago and applied a drop of slide oil after reassembling the mouthpiece. So far so good. We'll see what develops as I play it some more.
Hello Winslow,
I joined this site today and noticed your post from 2010 regarding slide oil on the G-48. So by now you must have an experienced opinion on this.
Generally I have read that applying oil is not a good idea, just keep the slide clean.
However, after purchasing a G-48 almost a year ago, (which I really love by the way), I found that I was having to take apart and clean the slide after almost every session (1 hour playing). This was getting to be a bother, especially as assembly required the screws etc. (unlike the CX-12 which is a wonderful design).
I inquired with Suzuki and they recommended their oil which I have now applied about a week ago, and it seems to be much better. Its been about 6 hours of playing since application, and now feeling a little bit of stick,which is much better than the hour of use with just cleaning.
What is your experience with using the oil? Any downside such as oil leaking into the reeds and valves?
Marty
Hello Marty
Welcome to bluesharmonica.com!
I must confess, I did not book enough playing time to weigh in on the Suzuki oil (#SHO-01) debate for chromatic slides. What I do know is that when I was in Toyko and Hamatsu, Japan, the Suzuki slide oil was readily available. When I attempted to order it from Suzuki USA, there response was that they did not endorse (or stock) the Suzuki slide oil.
Sensei Winslow, what say ye?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Last year, Winslow and I had a running conversation regarding the Suzuki slide oil for chromatic harmonicas (#SHO-01). Have any of you anything to report regarding this elixir?
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
I have some of the Suzuki slide oil that I acquired last year at SPAH. It's NOT like that nasty stuff they use on trombones - no poisonous petrochemical odor or harsh taste.
I was initially skeptical about the need for it. My philosophy has always been minimalist - use plain water (or saliva) when needed, injected at both ends, coupled with periodic disassembly and cleaning with a toothbrush and mild soap. But I'm beginning to understand why they created this product.
I have a G-48 that I love (enough that I'll soon be taking delivery on a Sirius 64, which promises to be the 16-hole version of the G-48). The slide on my G-48 sticks very easily. Cleaning only helps for awhile, then it gums up again. I know a guy who plays a Fabulous 64 chromatic and has the same problem - he says he has to clean it after every playing or it will bind up. I saw him give a concert performance where he had neglected to clean the slide and it sized up on him while he was playing.
So is this sticking slide problem a design fault? No, it's more of a trade-off. A huge amount of the air loss in a chromatic is through the slide assembly. If you can reduce the clearance between the slider and the neighboring parts, you'll have a louder, more responsive instrument. Bit it will also gum up much more easily.
Hence the Suzuki slide oil. After the next cleaning, I'm going to start using the slide oil on my G-48 and see what effect that has.