It’s something that happens to everyone at one point or another. Getting a pull-through swab stuck in your instrument can be a traumatic event. You’ve diligently cleaned your instrument and just as you start to pull the swab back out, it gets caught and then before you know it, totally stuck. Here is a step by step guide what you can do to avoid causing any damage.
Don’t pull
So now the swab is stuck, the most important thing to NOT do is to keep on pulling on the swab. The more you pull on the swab the tighter the swab is going to bind together, making it even more difficult to remove.
Check the location
If the swab has got caught in the instrument body, check to see where the swab has stopped to a halt. You can do this by looking down the bore of the body or peering through the keys, or, if you are technical remove some of the keywork. I would recommend taking the G key off a saxophone as it allows you access to the middle of the instrument – but only do this if you are confident placing the key back correctly.
If the swab is caught in the body, this is good news as it should require taking the associated keywork off to access that area of the body. If you are not confident with this, take your instrument to your nearest repair and servicing specialist.
If the swab is caught near the top of the body near the octave, you should take the instrument to your nearest repair and servicing specialist who can inspect further, as it is common the swab will get caught on the octave pip/tube that protrudes into the body. In some cases this tube/pip will have to be removed to allow the swab to move freely again. Do not try at home.
Don’t cut
Often people will attempt to remove the swab by cutting it out. Although this method does have some merit, it’s not advised to do at home, as you can damage the keywork, and instrument body. Also in many cases a technician can save your pull-through without destroying or damaging it.
Conclusion
Most importantly you’re not the first person this has happened to and you certainly won’t be the last. If you’re unsure at any point, phone your local repair and servicing specialist who can assess your instrument and remove the pull-through swab safely.
Remember:
Don’t keep pulling the pull-through swab.
Do check to see if you can see where the swab has become caught.
Don’t cut the pull-through.
Do take your instrument to a trained technician to safely remove the swab.
