Houghton Horns

High-quality repair, restoration, and custom services for brass players.

Maintenance

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How to Ship a French Horn

This information is provided as a public resource. Houghton Horns LLC assumes no liability for damage incurred during shipping or damage claims denied by your carrier.

We recommend shipping French horns (with or without a case) in a double-walled corrugated box (at least 250 lb. test). It should be sized at least 28″ x 18″ x 18″ (72 x 46 x 46 cm). A “dishpack” box will suffice. It can be found at most truck rental locations, self storage centers, and home improvement stores. Use a new box, it will be stronger. When packing the horn, make sure there are at least 3″ (8 cm) of space between the instrument/case and the wall of the box to allow for peanuts or bubble wrap. If these guidelines are ignored, the carrier may deny any damage claims. No matter who you are shipping the horn to, be sure to include a “packing slip” inside of the box with a detailed list of the items being shipped, the value of the items, your address, email, phone number, and the recipient’s address, email, and phone number.

Fixed Bell French Horns

Pack the horn bell up, towards the top of the box. The more peanuts you can squeeze into the box, the better. Use bubble wrap or peanuts inside of the case to make sure the instrument is secured tightly. If the horn is being shipped without a case, be sure to wrap it multiple times with bubble wrap. The wrap you use should have large bubbles (at least 5/16″ (8 mm)).

Detachable Bell French Horns

When shipping a detachable bell French horn in a case, make sure it is positioned so that the corpus of the horn is not on top of the bell flare. Use bubble wrap or peanuts inside of the case to make sure the instrument is secured tightly. When shipping without a case, wrap the corpus of the horn with bubble wrap multiple times. Wrap the bell flare separately. Make sure the wrap you use has large bubbles (at least 5/16″ (8 mm)). Place the corpus toward the bottom of the box and stack the bell flare above the corpus, being sure to allow at least an inch between the two. The more peanuts you can squeeze into the box, the better.

Insurance

You should always insure the package with the carrier for at least the dollar amount you paid for the horn. Note: The United States Postal Service (USPS) will only allow you to purchase $5000 of insurance.

Shipping Options

Houghton Horns currently utilizes FedEx Ground for most of our domestic shipments of instruments. We have found they have the best combination of speed and cost from our location. In addition, we have had no problems with damaged shipments when using them. As mentioned above, USPS will only allow you to purchase $5000 of insurance, so it is not a good option for more expensive instruments. If you use USPS, make sure to choose Priority or Priority Express. Packages sent via USPS Parcel Select Ground and other economy services spend a lot of time in shipping, significantly increasing the risk of damage.

 

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How do I Care for my Detachable Bell French Horn?

Some horns have a detachable bell for convenience, either to make traveling with a horn easier or to afford them the opportunity to carry the horn in a lighter, backpack-style case.

To attach the bell

  1. Hold the horn normally with the left hand on the valves, pinky finger in the pinky hook.
  2. Place your right hand inside the bell, palm flat against the metal, and use your thumb to rotate the bell on (away from your body).
  3. Be sure the bell ring is seated flush against the receiving ring on the horn.
  4. Avoid cross-threading by immediately stopping the rotation, taking the bell off, and trying again. Use patience.

To remove the bell

  1. Hold the horn normally with the left hand on the valves, pinky finger in the pinky hook.
  2. Using your right hand to grip the inside of the rim, pull the bell towards your body to loosen the bell without fully detaching it.
  3. Immediately place your right hand, palm flat against the metal, making sure your fingertips go past the seam.
  4. Holding the body of the horn higher than the bell, use your thumb to rotate the bell the off. This will ensure that if the bell falls, it will fall on your wrist like a bracelet, and not on the floor or body of the horn.
  5. Use powdered graphite to quiet the rotation of the bell if it becomes noisy.

DO NOT force off a bell that has become stuck. This will cause the whole bell tail to twist off from the rest of the horn, in a corkscrew-like fashion. In this event, please consult your repair technician for instructions on how to remove the bell.

Common ways a bell will become stuck

  1. Forcing the bell past the point where it naturally stops when attaching it.
  2. Spinning the bell on too quickly.
  3. Leaving the bell attached for too long, allowing the ring to oxidize together.
  4. External force to the bell ring, while the horn is either separate or together. This results in the bell ring becoming “out of round” and will not fit correctly on the horn.

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How do I Change the String on my French Horn?

All horns will either have the lever arm extensions below the rotor screw (see column A) or above it (see column B), depending on the rotor. Follow the diagrams appropriately. 

  1. Begin with a string that is cut to approximately 8 inches in length (available here). Tie a double knot at one end, then pass it through the hole as shown.
  2. Take the free end of the string partially around the rotor screw (counterclockwise for A, clockwise for B), having loosened the stop-arm screw to accommodate the string.
  3. Pass the string (clockwise for A, counterclockwise for B) under the stop-arm screw, and adjust the position of the lever to approximate height desired. Tighten the stop-arm screw temporarily.
  4. Carry the string (counterclockwise for A, clockwise for B) around the rotor screw, threading it through end-hole of the lever arm extension.
  5. Hold the stop-arm screw against the stop (as shown by arrow) and wind string clockwise around the end screw when taut. Tighten the end screw. The lever height may be finely adjusted by loosening the stop-arm screw and then re-tightening as needed. The end screw may then need a slight adjustment to take up any slack. Cut off the string leaving about 1 inch to spare for ease in subsequent rethreading.

Courtesy of Paxman Musical Instruments Ltd.

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How do I Clean My French Horn?

Cleaning inside the horn

Cleaning the leadpipe is an effective way to keep the inside of your horn clean. The best way to do this is to use a cleaning snake.
To use a cleaning snake, remove the mouthpiece and the main tuning slide. Push one end of the snake into the tuning slide end of the leadpipe and carefully feed it through until it comes out of the mouthpiece end (from the larger to the smaller diameter). Then, gently pull from the leadpipe end until the whole snake has come through the leadpipe. Rinse the snake and repeat until it comes through clean. If the leadpipe has not been cleaned for some time, beware the sludge! This is an indication to clean the leadpipe more regularly.

It shouldn’t be necessary to wash out the rest of a horn which has been properly cared for, but if a horn has been neglected over a long period then washing it through with warm water and mild dish soap should be followed immediately by thorough draining and a complete re-lubrication to avoid the formation of corrosion in the valves. Likewise, a horn being placed in storage for any period should have the valves well-oiled and operated regularly to ensure they do not become seized.

It is generally recommended to ultra-sonically clean a horn once every year. Most shops will also check for any unsoldered braces, holes, or dents at this time. Usually, new rotor strings and bumpers are included in an ultrasonic cleaning.

Use of a leadpipe snake

Cleaning the outside of the horn

If your horn is lacquered then all that is necessary is to wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Over the years, the lacquer will deteriorate where the hands are most often placed. This is largely because of perspiration, so wiping the instrument after playing will help maintain the lacquer in good condition for a longer period. If the horn is not lacquered then it will normally have a dull appearance. It is quite safe to polish an unlacquered horn with normal brass polish but, since this has an abrasive action it is wise not to do this too often.

Courtesy of Paxman Musical Instruments Ltd.

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How do I Lubricate my French Horn?

The following notes and diagrams will tell you how to ensure that your instrument stays in top condition, avoiding expensive repair bills and allowing you to focus on making music.

MAINTAINING THE VALVES 

All modern horns are fitted with rotary valves which, by their nature, are more complicated than the simple piston valves fitted to trumpets. To keep them working properly and to prevent wear, one needs a simple but regular maintenance routine. Different grades of oil are needed and the diagrams show where they are applied. 

The bearings at the top and bottom of the valve spindle need regular oiling with a medium oil – (we recommend Hetman Light Bearing & Linkage #13.5 for most horns). Remove the valve caps one at a time, wipe away any old oil with a tissue and put one drop of oil on the top surface, where you can see the spindle turning in its collar. Then replace the valve cap taking great care not to cross the very fine threads. Don’t over tighten the cap, light finger tightness is all that’s needed. The oil under the top caps isn’t going anywhere except where it’s needed, but the bottom bearing is a different matter. Here a drop of Hetman Light Bearing & Linkage oil #13.5 is needed in the small gap between the fixed collar and the rotating part of the valve; because this is exposed to air and open downwards, oil naturally runs away from its correct place, allowing the bearings to run dry. Apply oil to each bearing by squeezing a small drop into each gap; then turn the horn on its back and move the levers for a few seconds until the oil is well into the bearing. It is particularly important to oil these bottom bearings regularly. 

While you are oiling under the valve caps check that the marks incised at 90 degrees line up when the valve turns. If the marks do not line up it will mean that the corks or rubber stops underneath have worn and that the valves will not be opening properly. It is possible to carefully replace these yourself, but you may find it easier to have a good repair technician do it for you. 

Mechanical actions, whether hinged or ball & socket type need to be lubricated as well (again, we recommend Hetman Light Bearing & Linkage #13.5 for most horns).  There are three types of valve linkage in use, two of which are illustrated below. Not shown are articulated string action levers which only need oiling on the pivoting joint in the linkage (eg: Yamaha horns), in which case follow the advice for the other types. Even if your horn has the three main valves operated by string action, you will often find a mechanical linkage operating the thumb valve. 

Proper oiling will reduce wear to linkages, along with reducing the noise, which is a symptom of wear. Apply a drop of oil onto each joint. Don’t worry if the oil doesn’t appear to get right into the joint immediately, as capillary action will soon take it where it is needed. 

Over time slide grease and dust tend to collect in the valves, making them sluggish and sticky. Thin oil (Houghton Horns recommends Hetman Light Piston #1 or Hetman Light Rotor #11 for most horns) should be poured down the slides, and also onto the valves, will wash the residue. Begin by removing all of the valve slides, except the main tuning slides. Hold the horn so the open slides are vertical and apply one drop down each. Try to get the oil straight down the middle to avoid washing any slide grease left in the slides onto the valves. Then, still holding the horn up, move the levers until you feel the valves improve. Carefully discard the waste oil. This treatment should be done at least once a week.

LUBRICATION OF THE VALVE MECHANISM

Mechanical Linkage: Ball and Socket Connecting Rod
Mechanical Linkage: Hinged Connecting Rod

Slides 

It is very important that the slides move easily and are not allowed to become stuck. This is achieved with a suitable grease (Houghton Horns recommends Hetman Slide Gel #7 for most horns). Wipe off any old grease with a tissue – a drop of thin oil on the tissue helps this – and ensure that there is no old grease building up in the ends of the slides. If the grease is applied to the whole length of the slide it tends to get pushed straight down to the end and onto the valves rather easily. Instead, take a dab of slide grease on the end of a finger or applicator and wipe a band of it round the middle of the slide, this will spread up and down the slide as it is inserted into the horn. Slides should be properly greased every couple of weeks.

Courtesy of Paxman Musical Instruments Ltd.