[carvingcode]

Curious if anyone has experience with or suggestions for disinfecting a sax? I purchased a sax and it will be arriving tomorrow.

Wiping it down with disinfecting wipes OK? What about the inside of the neck and body?

Thanks.

 

[ZootTheSim]

The virus can live on cardboard for 48 hours and stainless steel for 72 hours; not sure about brass. Best just leave it in its packaging for a few days before unboxing.

What horn did you buy?

 

[GaSax]

I wondered about this the last time I reviewed the auctions online.

I got some ideas but don't know if it is fool proof.

 

[johnebravo]

A recent report suggests that while it may persist on stainless steel or plastic for 2-3 days, that period was limited to about 4 hours on copper.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces

"But the NIH study found that the Sars-CoV-2 virus survives for longer on cardboard - up to 24 hours - and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces.

The findings suggest the virus might last this long on door handles, plastic-coated or laminated worktops and other hard surfaces. The researchers did find, however, that copper surfaces tended to kill the virus in about four hours."

Since brass is copper and zinc, it's pretty likely that it's not longer than the 2-3 days for stainless steel, and probably closer to the 4 hours for copper. Seems logical to me, anyway.

If it were me, I would disinfect it like crazy and let it sit for at least a couple of days.

 

[1saxman]

I received a neck from China that was bought right before their Lunar New Year which also brought in the COVID-19 problem. Shipping was delayed because of the extended holiday they get plus by the time they returned to work on 2/10, their quarantine was in effect. I finally received it after about a month. I was somewhat concerned about the virus given the origin of the package so I planned a procedure of opening it and getting to the neck which consisted of first spraying the outside of the box with Lysol spray and each piece of bubble wrap as I got to it, plus spraying my hands and drying them after disposing of the box and packing materials. When I got to the neck, I sprayed it inside and out and wiped it dry. I put it aside and didn't begin to fit and play it for about a day.
For a whole sax I would basically do the same thing. Lysol spray doesn't harm lacquer or anything else on a sax although I would want to oil it after it dries. On a used sax, especially one over a year old, you are going to be faced with a 'slime' build-up in the neck and body that really should be washed out as I think this could harbor a virus for a long time. Of course the sax has to be torn down to do this.
This is not a casual thing considering how sick you can get with this bug.

 

[adamk]

The virus need hosts not slime.
It should be washed out but would be dry slime in a short time.

 

[carvingcode]

The virus can live on cardboard for 48 hours and stainless steel for 72 hours; not sure about brass. Best just leave it in its packaging for a few days before unboxing.

What horn did you buy?

Bought a RS Berkeley Virtuoso model tenor. Virtually brand new. Fellow sold it due to back problems.

 

[Dr G]

FWIW - and I am NOT a medical doctor - I am leaving packages sit a few days before opening. Read up on the subject from several different sources, then determine the path with which you are most comfortable. I include the BBC, CDC, W.H.O., and WebMD.

 

[carvingcode]

Would swabbing the neck and horn with a swab doused in isopropyl alcohol be a good idea? Will the alcohol be detrimental to pads if it happens to leak onto them?

 

[ZootTheSim]

Since brass is copper and zinc, it's pretty likely that it's not longer than the 2-3 days for stainless steel, and probably closer to the 4 hours for copper. Seems logical to me, anyway.

If it were me, I would disinfect it like crazy and let it sit for at least a couple of days.

Though unless it's the unlacquered model of RS Berkeley Virtuoso (the VIRT2007NL), the virus would never touch brass. The question is how long can it live on lacquer or plating? I believe that colloidal silver, at least, has some anti-viral properties, but wouldn't trust a horn's plating to protect me. As you say, disinfect the heck out of it first. Or just leave it for several days before unpacking, difficult as that may be.

 

[Dr G]

Would swabbing the neck and horn with a swab doused in isopropyl alcohol be a good idea? Will the alcohol be detrimental to pads if it happens to leak onto them?

I would not depend on it for your intended purpose, and it may be detrimental to the horn.

 

[megwenda]

Would swabbing the neck and horn with a swab doused in isopropyl alcohol be a good idea? Will the alcohol be detrimental to pads if it happens to leak onto them?

I would at least disinfect the neck (even in normal times, but especially against corona)

If possible, remove the octave key (if not, wrap the pad in a piece of cling foil), plug the vent hole, and then fill with a light vinegar solution for an hour or so. Afterwards, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

I would also leave it for a week before unpacking it.... you have plenty of time to try it out later, you will be stuck at home for a while yet, so why take a risk

Chill, and enjoy the chance to do nothing

 

[KennyZ]

Put some alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it inside and out.
Wait for it to evaporate or wipe it off with a handkerchief...

 

[whaler]

Disinfect from the inside out with bourbon.

 

[Dr G]

Disinfect from the inside out with bourbon.

I agree with the sentiment, but must warn that bourbon falls below the 60% minimum concentration needed to be effective.

Save your bourbon for when it really counts.

 

[Hassles]

My advice would be to ignore your new horn for a few days and / or source yourself an ultraviolet light, slide this down the bore and switch it on for a prolonged period. The intensity of the light will determine the ideal time period. This could be done with the horn in its case IF the light does not create enough heat to cause a potential fire eg: ignite the case lining.

 

[johnebravo]

Though unless it's the unlacquered model of RS Berkeley Virtuoso (the VIRT2007NL), the virus would never touch brass. The question is how long can it live on lacquer or plating?

Good point! Doh.

 

[Arundo Donax]

Ultraviolet light from the Sun kills viruses. Put the sax in sunlight if possible.

 

[saxspy]

CDC listed hydrogen peroxide and we know that is a standard reed cleaner.

 

[megwenda]

Disinfect from the inside out with bourbon.

Trued that with a bottle if bourbon. Now my insides are well disinfected.
Not sure if it cleaned the sax, but now there appear to be two of them