Description
C.G. Conn – Trombotine Trombone Slide Lubricant
Price: $9.99
Brand: Conn-Selmer
SKU: 338S
Condition: New
Product Description
The Cream That Defined a Generation.
For decades, Trombotine has been the cream lubricant trusted by professional trombonists, repair technicians, and players of vintage instruments. Its traditional cream-based formula is reminiscent of the cold cream lubricants favored by many players in the early 20th century, yet it remains one of the most effective slide lubricants available today.
What makes Trombotine special is its ability to create an exceptionally smooth, even bearing surface inside the slide tubes. It excels on worn slides, damaged slides, and instruments with plating wear by helping fill minor imperfections and create a smoother, more consistent bearing surface than thinner lubricants can provide.
At the same time, it performs beautifully on well-maintained slides and remains a favorite among players who prefer the feel of a traditional cream lubricant.
Trombotine is exceptionally stable and durable. Once applied, it creates a long-lasting lubricating film that resists breakdown and can continue performing for weeks or longer with only the occasional addition of water to keep it working at its best. A tiny amount goes a remarkably long way, making a single tube capable of lasting for years of regular use.
Trusted for generations and still going strong, Trombotine remains the cream lubricant by which all others are judged.
What Makes Trombotine Trombone Slide Lubricant Stand Out?
- Traditional cream-based formula
- Smooths wear and slide imperfections
- Extremely durable lubricating film
- A little goes a long way
- Refreshes easily with water
- Long-lasting performance
- Trusted by professionals for generations
Traditional formula. Timeless Performance.
Feel & Function
Feel & Function
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WE TESTED IT, AND THIS IS WHAT WE FOUND…
What’s it like?
Trombotine is a traditional cream lubricant, and it feels noticeably different from modern liquid lubricants. Instead of creating a thin, slick film on the slide, it forms a smooth, stable bearing surface that many players describe as controlled, consistent, and dependable.
One thing that stands out immediately is how forgiving it is. Because the cream helps fill minor wear and imperfections, it can make older slides feel noticeably smoother and more predictable. This is one reason Trombotine has remained popular on vintage instruments and well-used slides for so many years.
Another characteristic unique to cream lubricants is the ability to fine-tune the feel. Since excess cream is removed during application, players can easily adjust how much lubricant remains on the slide. A lighter application generally feels quicker, while a heavier application can create a more cushioned, stable feel.
Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of Trombotine is its durability. Once the lubricant film is established, it remains remarkably stable and often requires nothing more than an occasional mist of water to keep it feeling fresh. It’s the kind of lubricant that tends to stay put and keep working.
If you’ve never used a cream lubricant before, Trombotine offers a very different experience than modern liquids—but there’s a reason players have relied on it for generations.
How do I apply it?
Clean and dry the inner slide tubes first. Apply a small amount of Trombotine to each stocking and work it evenly across the surface with your fingers.
Assemble the slide one tube at a time and rotate each tube through a full 360 degrees several times to work the cream evenly around the entire inner tube. Once both tubes have been treated individually, fully assemble the slide and move it through its full range several times to establish an even bearing surface.
Next, disassemble the slide and wipe away the excess cream until you’ve reached your desired coating level. Leaving slightly more lubricant behind can create a more cushioned, stable feel, while removing more lubricant generally results in a lighter, quicker response. This ability to fine-tune the feel is one of the biggest advantages of cream lubricants.
Reassemble the slide and apply a liberal mist of water. If the slide feels heavy, sluggish, or draggy, remove a little more cream and try again. You’ll usually find that Trombotine works best with far less lubricant than you might expect.
Once the lubricant film is established, reapplication is rarely needed. In most cases, a fresh mist of water is all that’s required to keep the slide performing at its best.
Trombotine plays well with others. While we always recommend starting with a clean slide, we’ve found it can often be applied successfully after simply wiping down the inner tubes.
Many players enjoy pairing Trombotine with products like Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort or Yamaha Slide Lubricant. The cream creates a smooth, stable bearing surface while the liquid lubricant adds speed and responsiveness, resulting in a unique feel that’s difficult to achieve with either product alone.
If pairing with a synthetic liquid lubricant, simply add the liquid as needed. Reapplication of Trombotine is rarely necessary, as a single application can last for weeks or longer.
TromboneLAB’s Take
Why we like it:
I’ve learned over the years that you can never have too many lubricants—every trombone slide has its own “personality,” and sometimes it takes the right match to make everything click. That’s why TromboneLAB offers the most complete lineup of lubricants anywhere online. So you can always find the one your slide responds to best.
Trombotine is old-school, and I mean that as a compliment. While modern synthetic lubricants have earned their place, there is a reason Trombotine has remained a favorite among serious trombonists for generations. It creates a smooth, stable bearing surface that many newer lubricants simply can’t replicate.
As a repair technician, I probably use Trombotine differently than most players. When I encounter a severely worn slide, plating loss, or damage that can’t be corrected by other means, Trombotine is often what I reach for to give an old slide a new breath of life. It can help smooth out imperfections and dramatically improve how a troubled slide feels. I also use it as a cleaning tool from time to time because it’s remarkably effective at lifting old lubricant residue and helping establish a fresh, stable lubricant film.
While I generally prefer modern synthetic liquid lubricants for their convenience and ease of application, Trombotine still earns a permanent place on my bench and in my case. When a slide needs a little extra help, when a player wants to fine-tune the feel, or when I’m working with a worn instrument that can benefit from a more forgiving lubricant film, Trombotine is often the tool I reach for. It continues to prove why it has remained a trusted favorite for generations.
I love this stuff, and I really think you will too!
— Colter Weatherholtz, Founder of TromboneLAB
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