SE Shires lead pipe

[ParkerBasstrombone]

On my SE Shires Q36 Bass trombone, I can't take my lead pipe out without my mouthpiece in the horn, and once its out I can't take the mouthpiece out. is there anything I can do differently?

[andesl10]

I've used a bit of slide grease on the threads. I also take the lead pipe out about once a week when cleaning my slide.

[harrisonreed]

There is no need to twist the mouthpiece in so hard in the first place.

Take the mouthpiece out. Use a rubber jar opener or soft jaw pliers to get the pipe out without using the mouthpiece.

When you do get them apart, next time you play just pop the mouthpiece into the horn without twisting it in.

[brassmedic]

Have your trombone professionally cleaned? There could be mineral deposits inside the slide tube that are causing the leadpipe to fit too tightly.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

As already stated, have the instrument cleaned/adjusted by a good technician. In the meantime, you can use a medium or small rawhide mallet and tap lightly and repeatedly on the leadpipe collar. The vibration will separate the mouthpiece from the leadpipe. Don’t miss! One inaccurate tap and you will end up with a dent in you leadpipe.

Once your instrument is cleaned/adjusted, make sure you put some tuning slide grease on the outside of the end of the leadpipe before putting it in the slide. You will need to clean it and reapply the tuning slide grease about once a month.

Also, a small amount of tuning slide grease in the leadpipe threads is a good idea as well. It prevents moisture from collecting in the threads. That moisture could eventually dry up in the form of chalky mineral deposits in the threads and that would make it much more difficult to remove the leadpipe.

[hornbuilder]

To piggy back on Brian's comment. When tapping on the leadpipe collar, you're wanting the vibration of the tapping to jog the mouthpiece loose. Many light, gentle taps will get it out, garanteed, as opposed to one or 2 big hard taps.