EMPIRE WINDS“ULTRA-CLEAN”

Two years ago we have made a major investment and acquired an ultrasoniccleaner 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, andcleans 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 methodcounterpart.

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 distinctplaying 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 recommendedshop lubricants.

Within 14 days 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 oils or lubricants you find works best for you.

In the past 2 years, we have received ZERO complaints!! It will happen eventually, as there is occasional body chemistry vs. oil compatibility issues, in a minority of individual wind instrumentalists.

Testimonials

Just a small list of local educators and professional musicians from whom we have received rave reviews either by phone, email, or personal hand written letters of commendation with their closest noted affilations in the CNY music scene:

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 – Free lance brass player

Steve Carney – East Syracuse Band Director

Mark Bossert – CNS Band Director

John Laverty – SU Band Director

Bob Lyons – SU student

Howard Lynn – Freelance trombonist

And the list continues to grow rapidly…..

In case I left your name off of this list, and you wish to be included, or would prefer your name to not be included in this list, please forgive and contact me, ASAP!! Corrections will be made immediately.

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