Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/21/2008

Question
Thank you for reading my question.  My grandfather played baritone in the Geary High School Band in Geary, Oklahoma.  After he graduated in the 1930's he was given a gift from his parents.  It was a trombone.  
As far as I have found by talking to my relatives, he never played it seriously and never had a case for it.  It stayed in his attic for over 50 years without a case.

After he passed away the musician of the family received the trombone and a trumpet in better condition.  The trombone was severely tarnished.  No words could be read on it it was so bad.

I took some brass cleaner and started cleaning off a spot that I thought an identifying mark would be and I found the word "Advanced."

My questions are, what should I do to completely remove the tarnish quickly *I'm thinking acid bath at the local instrument repairman's shop but I don't want to till I know it's safe.*  My next question is do you know of any trombones that are over 70-80 years old that has the marking "Advanced" on it?

Aaron

Answer
You can clean the horn yourself, if the horn is brass, your brass cleaner should be fine, if it is silver, then a silver polish would be better.  Either could also be cleaned with Blue Magic.

The point of an acid bath is to clean out deposit on the inside of the horn, not remove tarnish - though it will do some of that too.  

I think it is best to clean off the rest of the logo, rather than speculate on what Advanced might mean.