TubeNet

If you ever owned a conn 56j witha satin silver finish, or just any tuba with that finish, were you pleased with the finish or was was it hard to maintain
?


Sawyer Davis
"Mansfield Windsymphony"

I don't have a 56J but I have several other tubas and sousas that have satin silver finishes. The only reason I own horns with satin silver finishes is because I like the horns.... NOT the finish. I would not consider buying a new horn with a satin silver finish because I am not willing to spend the time to keep it clean. I like the way they look when they are clean, but I just think it's too much trouble compared to the other choices of finish.

I have a King 2341 with the same satin silver finish as on the Conn 56J (they're essentially the same horn). I have had it for at least 3 years and find the finish very easy to take care of. I bought it because it was the best playing of the ones I had to try, but I like the way the finish looks. The bright silver finish shows fingerprints much more easily although I imagine it is easier to polish. I think that a lacquer finish is probably the easiest to maintain, but the satin silver looks cool.

I use a liquid silver polish to clean it up, but have only had to do that once in about 3 years. It is a pain when it needs to be done, but not any worse than cleaning any of my other silver plated horns.