I've noticed the inside of where the head joint slides inside the middle bit with keys on (I'm so good at flute anatomy) is looking tarnished. Not too much of a problem, but since I keep my flute on a stand and rarely put it away sometimes it gets a bit sticky when I try to adjust the tuning.
Is there anything I can do to remedy this? I put vaseline on once, but read that it was really bad, so I spent a good while cleaning it off again. I'm wondering now whether this is the cause, or whether its just good old spit and condensation that's caused it.
Any how.... any maintenance tips appreciated (or even confirmation that I'm doomed).
Re: Head Joint going yucky 16:50 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006
I did it once and know of a few student colleagues that also lubricate the tenons (that's the name for those parts, I have learnt it in this forum).
However, there are good arguments not to do so. The main reason being that the grease or Vaseline will help in collecting dust grains and make things worst in the long run. I must agree that this makes sense.
However, I have noticed (in my old instrument), that lubricating a little and then carefully cleaning the tenons with cloth and/or absorbent paper, so as to get rid of the lubricant (apparently, at least, leaves a surface that is no longer sticking and helps much with the tuning (and disassembly) of the instrument.
After this polemic "treatment" what I have done is to clean the tenon very carefully with a clean cloth, each time I note it is getting stuck once again. It must be done on both sides (the external of the headjoint and the internal of the body).
Until now this procedure has worked fine.
Same thing happens with the foot tenon, only that if you do not disassemble the foot often ( but how do you clean and dry the inner of the instrument?) you will not note the problem as hard as with the headjoint.
Re: Head Joint going yucky 17:14 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006
