10 Recommended Piston Oils for Brass Instruments

Hello everyone! My name is Makino, and I am in charge of wind instruments at Sound House. I am sure that many of you have started playing trumpets or other instruments during the new term. This time, I will focus on piston instruments and introduce my recommended piston and valve oils!

① Yamaha

This is Yamaha's valve oil, one of the most popular standard products. Anyone who has played a brass instrument has probably used this at least once. It is characterized by quick response and smooth operation that lasts for a long time. Available in four different viscosities to suit your instrument.

Super Light

This oil has the lowest viscosity of all Yamaha valve oils. Because of its ultra-low viscosity, it is suitable for playing ad-libs and other specially fast passages. It is also recommended for special pipes such as piccolo trumpets.

Yamaha / VOSPL3 Valve Oil Super Light

Light

This oil has lower viscosity than regular valve oil. It is recommended for instruments with small piston clearance, such as jazz players and Yamaha's Xeno model, which require exceptionally fast movement.

Yamaha / VOL3 Valve Oil Light

Regular

The most standard viscosity oil. It is ideal for a wide range of instruments from trumpet to alto horn, euphonium, and tuba. It also has a higher viscosity than light and other oils, so the effect of the oil lasts longer. If you are not sure which type of oil to choose, I recommend using the regular one first.

Yamaha / VOR3 Valve Oil Regular

Vintage

This is the most viscous Yamaha valve oil. Recommended for instruments with wide piston clearance. Instruments that have been used for a long time often have a wide piston clearance. If the effect wears off quickly with regular oils, using vintage may show improvement.

Yamaha / VOV3 Valve Oil Vintage

② Hetman

A brand of wind instrument oil for professional players and repairmen. The lineup includes key oil, valve oil, and a variety of other products according to application and viscosity. Hetman offers three different viscosities to accommodate a wide range of instruments in various conditions.

#1 Light Piston

#2 Piston

#3 Classic Piston

➂ UltraPure

It is colorless, odorless, non-toxic, safe, smooth, and long-lasting.
UltraPure is characterized by its resistance to air bubbles, which can be seen when the oil is shaken. It is also available in three different viscosities, making it suitable for a wide range of instruments.

Ultra Light

Professional

Black Label Classic

There are still more types and manufacturers that I didn’t show here. If you are not sure which oil to choose, why not try different kinds? Sound House also carries a wide variety of piston oils. Please give them a try.

⇒ List of Oil/Grease