Hetman- Out of Business

[ZacharyThornton]

Admin Edit: Rumors of Mr. Hetmann's retirement have been greatly exaggerated!

[tbonesullivan]

Well that certainly is a bummer. Most of the oils that I use regularly are Hetman. The large range of viscosity really helped me get the exact valve action I wanted. I've probably got enough in my current bottles to last me years, but it is kinda sad.

[Burgerbob]

Apparently Meinlschmidt bought the assets.

I'll keep singing the praises of Ultra-Pure!

[ZacharyThornton]

I heard that about Meinlshmidt but who knows how long until they up and running. Will it be the same?

[harrisonreed]

I love hetmans, but ultra-pure is better. Give it a shot.

[Matt K]

Is ultra-pure water soluable? I loved Hetmanns because I could flush all of it with water if I needed to.

[spencercarran]

Oh that's not good news! Is there any equivalent that'll be available to Hetman Hydro-Slide? It really helps extend the life of a Trombotine application.

I'll be kinda sad to have to search for new valve oil but that's likely easier to find a tolerable replacement.

[Bonearzt]

Is ultra-pure water soluable? I loved Hetmanns because I could flush all of it with water if I needed to.

I wouldn't think that would be a positive attribute.

[2bobone]

Please don't every everyone panic !! There was a time, not so long ago, that the only choice for slide lube was "Pond's Cold Cream" ! You know ---- it worked perfectly well !

[officermayo]

Please don't every everyone panic !! There was a time, not so long ago, that the only choice for slide lube was "Pond's Cold Cream" ! You know ---- it worked perfectly well !

Screwed up my trigger though.

[Mamaposaune]

I thought the Hetman oils were now being sold under the Shires name. ?

[Matt K]

Is ultra-pure water soluable? I loved Hetmanns because I could flush all of it with water if I needed to.

I wouldn't think that would be a positive attribute.

You probably have more effective means of cleaning something than I do. I've had valves gunk up before when I was using stuff that didn't dissolve with water if it accidentally found its way down the tubing. I'm not super handy, so I prefer just to be able to flush with water if anything happens (which I can't remember that ever happening since I switched to hetmans like 10 years ago or so). I don't find it a big inconvenience to put a few drops of valve oil on my valves when I go to use them.

[Bonearzt]

My concern is more with the ability for normal moisture to flush away the lubricant easily.

I rarely find oils or greases REALLY gummed up in the tubing, and usually find that mineral spirits are a very capable solvent.

[GabrielRice]

I thought the Hetman oils were now being sold under the Shires name. ?

Shires was buying oils from Hetman, not producing them. I'm told they are now using UltraPure in the factory.

[GabrielRice]

I've been pretty happy with 5 Starr oils recently.

[droffilcal]

So what’s the alternative for Hetman’s Classic Piston valve oil? My bass trumpet and euphonium are both really old and those valves like the Classic valve oil……

[ParLawGod]

So what’s the alternative for Hetman’s Classic Piston valve oil? My bass trumpet and euphonium are both really old and those valves like the Classic valve oil……

I am in the same dilemma, and was thinking of giving the Ultra Pure Black Label Classic oil a try - since it's a little thicker and designed for worn valves. I'm not in a position to give advice (since I've never used that oil), but maybe someone here has experience with it and can give their two cents.

[GabrielRice]

So what’s the alternative for Hetman’s Classic Piston valve oil? My bass trumpet and euphonium are both really old and those valves like the Classic valve oil……

5 Starr makes one called RedZone that is intended for that purpose. http://fivestarrproducts.com/home/?p=54
I got a sample from my local store, and it seems good on my older Shires rotary valves.

[BGuttman]

I've had good luck on my Euph with Blue Juice and with UltraPure.

[Fridge]

I agree with Gabe. I’ve been using 5 Starr on my Greenhoe valves for a year.

Fridge

[harrisonreed]

Please don't every everyone panic !! There was a time, not so long ago, that the only choice for slide lube was "Pond's Cold Cream" ! You know ---- it worked perfectly well !

[MTbassbone]

Listen to the most recent episode of the Third Coast Trombone Retreat podcast. They mention oils from Meinlshmidt with the Hetman nomenclature.

[hyperbolica]

I bought a 64 oz bottle of ultra pure paraffin lamp oil for $10. Works as good as anything else, and I don't feel bad about dumping a lot in the valves. For me the oil helps clean valves as much as lube.

Hetmans actually caused my tight tolerance valves to bind.

[Mamaposaune]

I have heard the rumors but finally got the information from a reliable source. Mr. Hetman has retired and as of now Hetman is completely unavailable.
Maybe someone will buy the company? But for now no more Hetman.

Not true. I know Joe, and ran in to him tonight at a concert, so I was able to ask him directly. He is not going out of business, he is just experiencing some supply chain issues. His product will continue to be available. And I, for one, will continue to buy and use his valve oils!

[Posaunus]

I have heard the rumors but finally got the information from a reliable source. Mr. Hetman has retired and as of now Hetman is completely unavailable.
Maybe someone will buy the company? But for now no more Hetman.

Not true. I know Joe, and ran in to him tonight at a concert, so I was able to ask him directly. He is not going out of business, he is just experiencing some supply chain issues. His product will continue to be available. And I, for one, will continue to buy and use his valve oils!

Fake News has invaded TromboneChat!

Don't believe everything that you read on the Internet!

[Mamaposaune]

I guess I could have been less sparky in my reply. But Joe hears the rumors (some are far worse that what's posted here) and wonders how they get started..

Not true. I know Joe, and ran in to him tonight at a concert, so I was able to ask him directly. He is not going out of business, he is just experiencing some supply chain issues. His product will continue to be available. And I, for one, will continue to buy and use his valve oils!

Fake News has invaded TromboneChat!

Don't believe everything that you read on the Internet!

[ZacharyThornton]

People within his company (or distribution network) are telling retailers that their products are no longer available and that he is retiring… he should have an in house meeting then if that isn’t true. I love their products and I hope they aren’t going away! I want to be proven wrong!

[ZacharyThornton]

I called and asked some higher up people I know. I’ve been lied too. Hetman is NOT gone and Mr. Hetman is NOT retired. I am sorry. If possible I would like to tell Mr. Hetman myself that I am sorry.
This ruins any credibility I have ever had and now I know to do my own research and not listen to the people I did.
If possible, can an admin delete this thread but leave my apology up? I don’t want people finding this on a Google search when they are looking for Mr. Hetman’s products.
I am sorry, I messed up.

[Matt K]

I called and asked some higher up people I know. I’ve been lied too. Hetman is NOT gone and Mr. Hetman is NOT retired. I am sorry. If possible I would like to tell Mr. Hetman myself that I am sorry.
This ruins any credibility I have ever had and now I know to do my own research and not listen to the people I did.
If possible, can an admin delete this thread but leave my apology up? I don’t want people finding this on a Google search when they are looking for Mr. Hetman’s products.
I am sorry, I messed up.

Eh, in the grand scheme of things I dont' think this is that big of a deal. But I'll clean it up

[Matt K]

Locking thread, if anything not someone will see the first post debunking the rumor as well as the discussion about how it was debunked as well as the trailing comment, this one, indicating that Hetmann products will continue to be available for the foreseeable future!