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I’m thinking about taking the lacquer off of my Mira 1290. A buddy of mine who I work with used to do instrument repair and taught me how to do it. I know that if it doesn’t work, it will be a costly experiment. I know that it will make the horn sound more “mellow”. Is it worth doing?

capt_tuba wrote:I’m thinking about taking the lacquer off of my Mira 1290. A buddy of mine who I work with used to do instrument repair and taught me how to do it. I know that if it doesn’t work, it will be a costly experiment. I know that it will make the horn sound more “mellow”. Is it worth doing?

I would be inclined to think it may make the horn just a "tiny" brighter. Removing a thin coat of material should liven up the horn, as opposed to deaden it.
The differences for a tuba are minute, and the 1290 is a dark horn with a big bell flare to begin with - it should be mellow enough with a decent sized mouthpiece. The differences between the 1290 and a 188 are night and day when it comes to mellowness.

It does make a difference, but only slightly and only to the player and his immediate area, not out in the hall. And then you're stuck polishing it forever, and the having tarnish rub off on your good clothes. That was the reason in the first place to have a horn plated or lacquered.

Any luck just cleaning these things up and clear coating over it??

Kinda like a tuba version of a rat rod??