Silver vs Lacquer? - but not what you think I'm asking!

[Donn]

Although not an option on the poll, the nickel plating (not silver) like what comes on these horns from India will, I think, outlast the insides of the horn.

Some of the on-line auctions claim chrome. Looks sort of odd to me in the pictures, like it might be a real thick blanket of plating.

[prototypedenNIS]

I am a highly uninformed source, but I believe I read somewhere that there are lacquers these days that are significantly more durable than the stuff that's falling off our old tubas.

I have never had a King tuba (sorry to say), but my 50's King bari sax has an uglier finish than you can imagine, a strange color that defies description.

modern lacquer is much better than it was... the silver is being skimped on and being applied thinner.

who knows what's better now.

[Dan Schultz]

One thing I have found from experience, is that bird droppings can remove silver plating -

So can something as simple as a rubber band Don't EVER use a rubber band for a temporary fix for a spit valve spring on a silver horn

[Dan Schultz]

Tubatinker,
I seem to recall that you were doing an experiment a few months back with a highly durable used on medical tools or something and you were trying it on brass instruments Was that you? did it work?

Yeah.... the stuff is a product called Coricone 1700. I've used it a little but can't seem to find the time to actually use it on a horn I used almost every day. That would be the true test. At the moment, I have used it on some small pieces and on an alto sax carcass that is hanging in my shop. One of these days I'll get the little alto together and turn my wife loose with it. I think in the final analysis, the Coricone will be a very good sealer but will look a bit like polished brass mid-way into the tarnish phase... not brilliantly shiny, but not with a patina, either.

BTW... someone mentioned nickel and chrome plating. I don't have any use for either one. Chrome has nickel under it and in order for nickel to be worth a hoot, it has to have a strike coat of copper. I doubt that the Indians aren't going to the trouble and I'll be surprised if the finish on the imports lasts very long. It won't be much of a test, though... because many of the horns that are being purchased today will never be played much... because THEY DON'T PLAY They're gonna just sit in the cases! Another thing... chrome does not like acid.

[SplatterTone]

because THEY DON'T PLAY

Oh SOOOOOO wrong!
In fact, every time one is played an angel gets its wings.

India euphonia are the official instruments of Bedford Falls.

[Dan Schultz]

because THEY DON'T PLAY

Oh SOOOOOO wrong!
In fact, every time one is played an angel gets its wings.

India euphonia are the official instruments of Bedford Falls.

[Kevin Hendrick]

because THEY DON'T PLAY

Oh SOOOOOO wrong!
In fact, every time one is played an angel gets its wings.

India euphonia are the official instruments of Bedford Falls.

"It's a Wonderful Euph"?

[imperialbari]

One problem with bare brass instruments is, that parade-type bands demanded them being polished regularly.

Some have been polished so much, that the engraving has been lost on very old samples, which now have very thin gauge metall especially in the bell area.

If only the bare brass isn’t polished it should last for a very long time.

Klaus, who is no buffing-buff either

[MaryAnn]

Here I am with my usual left-handed commentary; the problem is not the finish but the acidic sweat, if I am reading right. Except for the old lacquer that just cracks and dies.

So...you can approach it from the other direction, with added benefits. Acidic sweat indicates an acidic pH of your body; the more acidic you are, the more likely you are to get osteoporosis and break a hip. So, what to do? The more animal products you ingest, the more acidic you will be; the less animal and the more vegetable products you ingest (as a general rule) the more alkaline you will be. Green veggie foods in particular will make you more alkaline and less acidic. Foods that contain magnesium, calcium, potassium...the alkalizing minerals, will make you more alkaline. Of course if they also contain animal protein (like dairy) then that is negated to a degree.

So, to prevent acid sweat, go vegan!! I have of course experimented with this, and if I eat a lot of meat for some days in a row, I find my hands green after playing my horn. If I stay vegan for some days in a row, my hands and horn are unaffected. Interesting.

MA, who really should just go get that NMD degree

[MikeMason]

MA, just as a side note, females seem to have a higher acidity than males too.In my job as a school rep for a retail music store,i find more girls with plating problems(especially with black rings under the lips and black fingertips on flute players)than i do with boys with silver trumpets/trombones.I'm sure this is something to do with hormones and chemistry and probably not ditary concerns.just an observation...

[Dan Schultz]

females seem to have a higher acidity than males too...... I'm sure this is something to do with hormones and chemistry and probably not ditary concerns.just an observation...

I spent about 30 years in the automation and special machinery business. Sensitive equipment that was used by females was usually subject to special finishes like stainless steel, black oxide, hard anodizing, hard chrome, or the like. .... NEVER raw steel or aluminum.

[iiipopes]

To Rick "who has seen very little finish wear on the Yamaha, even after very heavy use" Denney:

I have seen Yamahas with the finish worn off, especially some euphoniums that definitely have seen their days in school programmes. To me they sound better once the epoxy is worn. I think their epoxy is a little "too good" and can damp the natural resonance of the horn.

BTW: a good combination I have seen for a beginning euphonist is a Yamaha 2 series with a Schilke 50. A little smaller, but with good even range and intonation, and provides a good basis for growing into something larger, both in horn and mouthpiece, later.

Just a different experience to post - Thanks.