[Trombone-l] H.W. Brass Saver cleaning brushes

[George Butler]

Hello from far northeastern Europe, where Spring has almost arrived.
   
  For the end of the school year, I'm shopping now for supplies to clean my school's inventory of low brass.  Some are modern Weril and Amati three-valve (piston) baritones.  Some are ancient Soviet-era oval-shaped rotary-valve alto horns and baritones.  There's also a couple of Eb rotary tubas (with the original price in rubles stamped on the bell.)  Oh, and a couple of trumpets as well.  
   
  I don't have a repair budget to send them out.  Gotta clean them up myself, maybe with help (ha, ha!) from the kids.    
   
  I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried the H.W. Brass Saver cleaning brushes:
  http://www.padsaver.com/BrassPage.html
   
  Do they pass through rotary valves?  Or, should I disassemble the rotary valves anyway for a more thorough cleaning?  (I dread that.)
   
  Or, is there a better way, with things available online?  Hardware stores here don't have much variety in bottle brushes and such.  Even picking up a flexible brush at a local music retailer here is hit-or-miss; they mostly cater to the guitar/keyboard/sound systems crowd.
   
  Sorry to bother you all with a nickel-and-dime question, but if I order all four versions and pay shipping to here, and pay customs, it all adds up.  I'd like to get "the right things" and be done with it.
   
  Thanks!
  George Butler
  Tromboon Opetaja
  Lasnamae Muusikakool
  Tallinn, Estonia
   
   

       
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