How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Flute History and Instrument Purchase

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MidnightKat
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Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:09 pm

How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by MidnightKat »

How do you get rid of a metallic-like smell from one's flute, as well as saxophone from leaving it sit out too long.? I don't know if anyone else experiences this too.

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Zevang
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Re: How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by Zevang »

It's usually caused by oxidation on plated flutes. Doesn't happen normally on solid silver or gold instruments.
I think there is not much that can be done in this case, sorry.

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pied_piper
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Re: How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by pied_piper »

Ah yes, the smell of golden oldie (sometimes moldy oldie) musical instruments. Nothing like it...

It's usually a combination of factors that create that smell. As Zevang pointed out, oxidation or tarnish can be a part of it, but also things like human sweat and saliva residue contribute to it too. Brass instruments like trumpets and saxes suffer from it more, but flutes, especially plated ones, can also suffer from this malady.

Trumpets and other brasswind instruments can be helped easily by having them cleaned with an ultrasonic bath treatment to remove the "crud". Larger music repair shops are equipped to do this. Flutes and saxes can get the same ultrasonic treatment, but it requires removing all of the keys and pads. Usually, that's only practical during a complete repad or overhaul service.

The other thing is that the smell also gets into the case lining and that's difficult to get rid of. Sometimes, replacing the case is the only answer. Short of that, to make a case smell better, remove the instrument, spray the case lining with Febreeze, and leave it out in the sun for a couple of days. Be sure that it's not going to rain when you do that. :roll: I've seen cases (especially rentals and school instruments) where someone left food to spoil in the case over the summer. :!: There's nothing like a rotten tuna fish sandwich to ruin a case and instrument. That's when you get a new case and probably overhaul the instrument.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

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MidnightKat
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Re: How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by MidnightKat »

Hmm, well this is a band new Yamaha 681 and a brand new Yamaha 875 EX alto sax so I know it's not a matter of being old. Both are silver however...

fluttiegurl
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Re: How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by fluttiegurl »

The Yamaha 681, though it may be a new flute, could very well have been setting for a while. The 681 has not been produced for quite some time (last made in 2000). If it was unplayed in a storage room for any amount of time, that may explain the smell, probably from outside sources. I would love to get my hands on a 681! They are not easy to find these days.

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pied_piper
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Re: How to get rid of metalic smell from flute/sax

Post by pied_piper »

MidnightKat wrote:Hmm, well this is a band new Yamaha 681 and a brand new Yamaha 875 EX alto sax so I know it's not a matter of being old. Both are silver however...
There are a couple of other possibilities. Are you sure that the smell is coming from the instruments rather than the cases? Some new cases have an odor from the glue that is used to hold the case lining in place. If so, leave the cases open for a while, outdoors if possible. I've also noticed that some key oils can give off a slight odor that might be described as metallic.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

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