Lacquer Protection For New Horns

[sloan]

I thought that most, if not all, leather wraps caused lacquer discolorization.

All I can tell you is that mine's been on the instrument virtually uninterrupted for about fifteen years and on the infrequent occasions I take it off (e.g., to reapply the velcro strips that hold it together) I can't see any discoloration or lines in the lacquer. I suspect this has to do with how the leather was tanned and what sort of (and how much) oil and dye is in it. But that's just speculation. I got my piece of leather from cutting up one of my wife's old hippy vests from the 60s. I don't have a piece on the top bow (which has a nickel guard on it), and there you can see a number of small "spots" of discoloration and some surface (or lacquer) degradation. There are a few of these elsewhere on the horn, which I can't really explain but I suppose may come from imperfections in the metal itself or from not wiping it down thoroughly after every use.

What protects the leather wrap?

[sloan]

What protects the leather wrap?

There was an old lady, who swallowed a fly
I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die

...

[Mark]

What protects the leather wrap?

There was an old lady, who swallowed a fly
I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die

...

Joni Mitchell (I know it's a slightly obscure reference.)

[ghmerrill]

What protects the leather wrap?

The leather wrap is protected by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

Beyond that, and unlike the lacquer it is protecting, it is easily replaced.