How To Clean A Plastic Saxophone Mouthpiece

Hi,

I recently purchased a used mouthpiece a Europa (SR TECH) and wanted to have advice on how to clean it.

(Apologise, this is not on the right forum heading. I can't seem to delete it only edit)

Thank you

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2012

Yes Stephen, naughty boy! The mods'll be after you.
Mouthwash is good too but alcohol is much better.
You never know where it's been. Hope you have fun with the new mouthpiece.
Andy

kevgermany

Threads moved, no harm done.

I just cleaned a Rico B5 tenor piece that came with an old sax. Looked a bit gungy, but not too bad. Chucked it in vinegar and a little later there was a thick layer of white slime inside it... Nearly turned my stomach to think someone had been playing it. Cleaned up OK, though.

Koen88

Sax Drinker / Beer player

Threads moved, no harm done.

I just cleaned a Rico B5 tenor piece that came with an old sax. Looked a bit gungy, but not too bad. Chucked it in vinegar and a little later there was a thick layer of white slime inside it... Nearly turned my stomach to think someone had been playing it. Cleaned up OK, though.

had that once with a tenor neck.. I used warm vinegar for the Neck (Dont Do this with an mpc!!) and there are still some pieces of hardenend calcium(?) in there...

for mpc I allways use an electric toothbrush with alchohol / vinegar or a light detergent and tootpaste itself does work too and polishes the inside at the same time.

Here's a clip of a talented guy trialing SR technologies mouthpieces including the one you bought Stephen

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2013

kevgermany

good point on the heat/vinegar - the Rico is plastic, so no worries there, but hard rubber.... I'd follow the advice above in Stephen Howards site.

I disagree with Stephen Howard when he says :
" However, it's it clear that nothing more complicated than hot water, detergent and scrubbing ( with a suitable mouthpiece brush )",
Like others, I'd avoid hot water on hard rubber mouthpieces, I have a few that are discoloured, even from a very brief exposure to hot water.

I've not had to deal with a grimy one yet as I've only owned a sax 5 months but apart from one of the swob sticks which I use after every practice just to obsorb moisture I occasionally have a wipe over with a baby wipe.
I did give thought to if the wipes would have anything on them that could discolour or otherwise but if there good enough for baby's bums I'm sure there fine for disinfecting a mouthpiece.

Been using that process on my yam 4c and now I've just stepped up to my Yanagisawa N06 ebonite and that seems fine aswel. Also after a polish my Yanagisawa metal piece got a wipe down with a wet wipe.

PS, Stephen, how's the practicing going? As above ive just had a step forward, started to feel like the Yam4c was getting restrictive. Teacher recommended trying the Yanagisawa N06 and it's working out well, I just experimented with my metal Yanag- and couldn't believe the difference from the last time I tried.

Rgds Lee.

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2012

I usually wipe the mpce daily and once in a while give it a wash .... slop some dish soap on it lather it up and rinse under tap in lukewarm water dry.

Cue for song. I'm forever blowing .......

I do one of two things:

1. Rinse the mouthpiece under warm water and give it a good going over with a mouthpiece or neck brush and liquid hand soap.

2. Leave the sax fully assembled and worry about cleaning it another day.

I disagree with Stephen Howard when he says :
" However, it's it clear that nothing more complicated than hot water, detergent and scrubbing ( with a suitable mouthpiece brush )",
Like others, I'd avoid hot water on hard rubber mouthpieces, I have a few that are discoloured, even from a very brief exposure to hot water.

The (half) sentence you quoted was taken from an article relating to mouthpiece hygiene - the rest of the sentence clarifies the point - "will have a significant and measurable effect on the multitude of bugs".

The article then goes on to reference http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Testing/Cleaning_mouthpieces.htm - which relates more to cleaning.

I can understand your confusion, personally I disagree with Einstein when he says E=M.

Regards,

I'm not confused, thanks, & stand by what I said about hot water causing
hard-rubber discolouration very quickly, even if you think you're only removing bugs at the time..
Been there, done that.
Very nicely done article on cleaning, btw.