Oboe, English Horn and Bassoon Maintenance Guide

DAILY MAINTENANCE

• Check your instrument daily for loose or missing screws, especially the top key stack and bottom key stack pivot screw(s).
• Joint and corks should be lubricated (sparingly) with cork grease to allow sections to fit together easily. Roberson’s technicians can replace cracked or worn corks to facilitate playability.
• Swab excess moisture from the instrument bore (inside) with a drop-through swab designed for your instrument. Wipe fingerprints, dirt and hand acids from the exterior surface with a treated polish cloth.
• Remove the reed and place it carefully in a Reed Gard^®or specially designed reed case, which promotes drying. Keep several good reeds in the case and alternate them so they will dry completely before the next use.
• Carefully place the instrument in the case, checking for weak or broken case latches.
• Avoid placing excessive amounts of “stuff” in the case that might damage the instrument.

DON’Ts

• Do not place the instrument on a music stand, chair, bed, or other surface from where it can fall. Most instruments are damaged from falling, being dropped or crushed.
• Do not leave your instrument in direct sunlight.
• Do not attempt to adjust the instrument. Adjustment screws become worn with constant tightening and loosening. If your instrument requires adjustment, Roberson’s professional technicians can perform the required repairs.
• Do not brush against the exposed pad surface while cleaning or polishing the instrument. The pad skin is easily worn and contact will cause premature failure of the pad.
• Do not use abrasive polish on lacquered brass, silver or nickel finishes.
• Do not allow the instrument to become water-soaked—rain water and excessively damp weather will cause pad failure and rusting of pivot screws and hinge rods.
• Key mechanisms should be oiled once a month. Do not over-oil the keys—excess oil can penetrate the pads and corks. Excess oil will dissolve glue and cause key corks to fall off the instrument. A small drop of oil at each pivot point is all that is needed. If your band director prefers that you do not oil the instrument, Roberson’s technicians will do it for you.

MAINTENANCE ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE

Appropriate swab(s) for cleaning the bore, cork grease, key oil, tone hole brush, Reed-Gard^® , and plenty of reeds, all available to purchase at Roberson’s Music in Fredericksburg, Virginia.