Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to worry about damaging my new carbon fiber slide on gigs?

Not at all!

Durability is the primary benefit of carbon fiber, and TromboneLAB’s carbon fiber slides are built with thick wall carbon fiber tubing to ensure your new slide will hold up to the rigors of any gig!

Play with confidence knowing your slide won’t get dented or damaged!

Why does my slide feel worse when I spray it with water?

Water is the enemy!

Carbon fiber is a unique material that offers a plethora of benefits, but it has one Achilles Heel, WATER!

The surface tension of water when combined with the molecular structure and smooth surface of carbon fiber creates a lot of friction. This results in a “draggy” feel when playing a carbon fiber slide with no lubricant because the condensation created from warm, moist air moving through the cooler carbon fiber tubing causes water to accumulate on the bearing surfaces of the slide.

This is an obvious problem for players since moisture naturally accumulates on the slide as we play.

To counteract this, we recommend using lubricant to help displace the natural accumulation of moisture on your slide while playing. We also recommend you adopt a regular swabbing/cleaning routine for your carbon fiber slide to routinely remove excess moisture or lubricant residue from your slide. This process is quick and easy, and if done regularly, will keep your slide performing at optimum consistently.

What lubricants should I use on my new carbon fiber slide?

While any lubricant will work on carbon fiber, we have found the following lubricants to provide the best results:

1. Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant (Purple Bottle, AKA Yama-Snot)

Why we like it: By far our favorite and best performing, this lubricant has proven to consistently deliver great results on carbon fiber. This is largely due to the fact that it can be used very effectively without water (a massive bonus for carbon fiber) and has a medium-thin viscosity that suits the tolerances of our slides quite well. It is very durable and long lasting and will not separate or degrade when exposed to hot temperatures, like the trunk of your car in August.

2. Monster Oils Trombone Slide Cream

Why we like it: This lubricant is new to the market, but in our limited testing it has performed extraordinarily well on carbon fiber! It is listed as a “cream,” but it is actually more like a thicker version of Yama-Snot or Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort. We have found the thicker viscosity to enable us to use an extremely small amount on the slide-applying it to the stockings as you would with slide creams-and gradually wiping off the excess as we work it into the tubes.

It’s thicker viscosity makes it very durable, even in small quantities, and enables us to apply a thinner coating than most other lubricants we’ve tried.

Please note: This lubricant will sometimes cause a faster residue build-up on your carbon fiber slide. This can create a more frequent need to clean and swab your slide than with other lubricants on this list.

3. Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort

Why we like it: This lubricant is a slightly thicker viscosity version of Yama-Snot, falling neatly between the Yamaha Slide Lubricant and Monster Oil Trombone Slide Cream. It functions exactly like Yama-Snot in almost every way, though will require slightly less lubricant than with the Yamaha due to it’s thicker viscosity.

Please Note: The biggest drawback to this lubricant is it’s general sensitivity to hot temperatures. When exposed to heat, this lubricant tends to separate and will not reconstitute when it returns to room temperature. This can trash a perfectly good bottle of lubricant in a hurry. If you use this lubricant, take care to store it away from heat, like keeping your instrument in a trunk during summer months.

4. Carnuba Wax (Food Grade)

Why we like it: This lubricant is unique, but can work well on carbon fiber if applied properly.

We recommend applying a finger tip size amount to a soft, lint-free cloth, and using the cloth to massage the lubricant onto the inner slide. Remove excess by wiping tubes with your bare hand (a cloth will remove too much). Spritz with water as needed while playing.

5. Rubbing Alcohol Spritz

Why we like it: This is, by far, the most unique lubricant method we recommend. In fact, rubbing alcohol hardly fits the definition of a lubricant at all!

It works because it removes all moisture that accumulates inside the slide while playing. Since carbon fiber slides perform best when clean and dry, rubbing alcohol effectively cleans and dries your slide as you play!

Please note: For best results, use a less diluted variant of rubbing alcohol. Most household rubbing alcohol is 70/30, or roughly 30% water. We suggest using 90/10. The less the alcohol is diluted, the less water it introduces into the slide and the drier your slide will be as it is applied, keeping the slide more dry as you play.

This approach will likely require frequent applications while playing, and individual results may vary.

For more information on lubricating carbon fiber slides, click HERE.

How much lubricant should I use on my new carbon fiber slide?

Use the lightest application of lubricant necessary to displace moisture.

Lubricating carbon fiber slides is the trickiest aspect of your new slide. A bit of trial and error is required to find what you like best.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] is you need more assistance with the lubrication process.

How do I clean my new carbon fiber slide?

Cleaning your new carbon fiber slide is easy!

Simply take any standard trombone slide cleaning rod wrapped with a soft, lint-free cloth, and spray liberally with rubbing alcohol. Swab the inside of each carbon fiber tube generously and allow to dry for 1-2 minutes.

Wipe excess lubricant residue from the outside of the inner tubes using a soft, lint-free cloth and you’re ready to go!

We recommend doing this quick and easy maintenance routine 1-2 times per month or any time you’re slide feels less than awesome.

What does a TromboneLAB carbon fiber outer slide weigh?

Our small bore carbon fiber outer slides weigh around 7oz on average. This is roughly the same weight as most brass and nickel slides.

Weight varies slightly depending on a variety of design factors and models specifications.

Your slides are listed as "Standard Weight," but what does that actually mean?

Our slides are built for a variety of player benefits, including being a very comfortable, and traditional “Standard Weight.”

This means our slides will feel very similar to an all metal slide, which we have found many players prefer and which helps players adjust more quickly and easily to their new carbon fiber slides.

For perspective, our carbon fiber outer slides weigh around 7oz on average. This is roughly the same weight as most brass and nickel slides.

At this weight, we are able to produce a much more durable carbon fiber slide and optimize the balance of weight to enhance the feel and response of the slide.

Additionally, our slides will feel lighter and faster to most players, even at the same weight as a metal slide, because the perfectly smooth interior bearing surface of carbon fiber outer tubes combined with our superior craftsmanship an attention to detail results in a slide that is built exactly square. This eliminates drag caused by misaligned tubes and creates a balance and feel like no other slide we’ve tried!

How do I return my carbon fiber slide for a refund?

Refunds and Returns

At TromboneLAB, we want to make your entire experience easy! While we hope that your new slide becomes an integral part of your instrument and artistic voice, we know that sometimes change is hard, new ideas don’t suit everyone, and sometimes what you’re used to is what you like best. That’s okay!

Because carbon fiber is a unique material that can take some time to get used to, we ask that you give your new slide 90 days to prove itself. During this period, play the slide as much as you like, in any setting, and begin to learn the nuances of cleaning and lubricating your new slide, as well as discovering the benefits it has to offer. Feel free to contact us with questions during this period so we may assist you in making your experience exceptional.

If after 90 days you still want to return it, simply email us at [email protected] to start the returns process.

Please see below for complete details on our Return Process.

Please note, slide must be in good working condition and undamaged to be eligible for a refund. Buyer is responsible for all return shipping charges.

Overview of Our Returns Process

Our refund and returns policy lasts 90 days. If more than 90 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be clean, and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.

There are certain situations where refunds cannot be granted:

Any item not in its original playing condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
Any item with signs of excessive wear, cosmetic damages, or abuse.
Any item that is returned more than 90 days after delivery

Starting the Return Process

Email us at [email protected] to start your return process.

Please provide a detailed description of the reason for your return, along with with the date you received your item, and receipt or proof of purchase. In certain instances, photo evidence of issues may be required to approve your return.

Please note, returns cannot be initiated within 90 days of delivery of the item.

If you have problems within the first 90 days after receipt of the item, please contact us for additional support in using your product.

If you suspect a manufacturing defect that renders your slide unplayable, please contact us immediately for support and additional information.

Refunds

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. If your return is approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be initiated to your credit card or original method of payment within 3 business days.

Please note, the actual application or availability of your refund is subject to the processing time of your credit card company, financial services provider, or bank.

Late or Missing Refunds

If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.

Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.

Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.

If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at [email protected].

Sale Items

Only regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.

Exchanges

We offer exchanges only on items deemed unplayable due to manufacturing defect.

In these instances we will replace defective items at no cost to you. We will do our best to expedite the exchange of your item and communicate accurately with you through that process.

If you believe your item is defective and unplayable, and needs to be exchanged, please send us an email at [email protected] to begin the exchange process.

To approve an exchange, evidence of defect will be required and may include photos, videos, or both, along with the date you received your item, and receipt or proof of purchase.

Shipping Your Return

If your exchange or return is approved, please pack and ship your item in its original packaging to:

TromboneLAB

Attn: Customer Service and Returns

316 Old Creek Rd

Edmond, OK 73034

Buyer is responsible for all return shipping costs.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you may vary.

We recommend using a Fedex and purchasing shipping insurance. Please keep your tracking number and shipping receipt as we cannot guarantee that we will receive your returned item.