Leather Wrapping around the horn

[Paul S]

I would think that wrapping ANYTHING around a horn would have some affect on the timbre.... just as heavy lacquer does as opposed to raw brass.

Maybe I am missing something but I have always wondered if having your your arm wrapped around the horn, your hand gripped on a slide or your thighs supporting the bow would affect the timbre far more than a protective wrap or lacquer...

[Dan Schultz]

I would think that wrapping ANYTHING around a horn would have some affect on the timbre.... just as heavy lacquer does as opposed to raw brass.

Maybe I am missing something but I have always wondered if having your your arm wrapped around the horn, your hand gripped on a slide or your thighs supporting the bow would affect the timbre far more than a protective wrap or lacquer...

You are correct. However.... some things, like holding the horn, must be accepted as 'normal'. In my opinion, those things as are considered necessary or normal are considered as characteristic to the horn. Adding protective pads, half covers, heavy valve caps, extra braces, etc. are another argument. Even if you had two identical horns.... one wrapped and one not.... or one lacquered and one raw... there are still enough variances in the horns themselves to make a difference (with or without the wrap or lacquer). Soooo... this is one of those things that can be argued forever with no concise answer other than 'yes it can make a difference'.