Leather Guards

[XtremeEuph]

Im not looking for any rants over obsession or anything, but leather guards around the hand areas on my silver horn interest me, to save some time wiping it down. I ran into this site http://www.lscoguard.com/index.php?main ... bc75fc8b87
and was curious if the Yamaha 642 guards would fit my Yamaha 842 ( I think they might). If they did, do you think it would fit in the case fine with the guards on?..........opinions? ANyone try these? I dont think they look that bad at all.


Kevin

[evan]

This isn't really an answer, but I'd watch out for true leather handguards. (Perhaps those handguards in your link are not real leather)

There was a discussion on this recently:
viewtopic.php?t=15628&highlight=

In that thread, imperialbari pointed out that the acids in leather are really bad for a horn's finish and

The hand guards most often sold for trumpets and horns may have the US sales name of naugahyde. We, depending on nationality, call it kunstlæder or Kunstleder meaning artificial leather. It basically is some sort of nylon supported by a woven fabric. It works perfectly until the first crack in the nylon layer. As I understand it, heat and sunlight are the main factors in stiffening up the nylon and hence inducing cracks.

[Water Music]

I know for a fact that LSCO uses real leather and they hand make everything. They told me their leather has 3 layers to it, and they use velcro to hold on the Tuba ones. I also know that it takes forever to get one of the Tuba guards, because I've been waiting 2 months and still haven't even gotten a final price.

Call and see what they offer.

[XtremeEuph]

Good to hear it actually is real leather...........Looks about 50 dollars for the whole set . Anyone know if the 642S should fit the 842s? I think they have near Identical Dimensions ( I think ) Anyways, I think the leather looks sharp.

[Rick F]

Kevin,

I'm pretty sure the handle guard for the 642 will fit your 842.

FWIW, all LSCO guards are made with 3 layers of material. First there is thin leather that your hand comes in contact with, under that is a layer of plastic to stop persperation from your hand soaking through, then there's a layer of thin velour type material that comes in contact with the instrument. I have 3 guards on my horn... the handle for my right hand, and 2 other guards where my left hand holds the instrument near the 4th valve.

[XtremeEuph]

I think I found a birthday gift ...........but yeah, I wonder how it will fit in the case and how long their labour/shipping is

[Rick F]

But yeah... I wonder how it will fit in the case and how long their labour/shipping is?

Why not call them or email them that question. Here's their contact info:

contact info

As I remember, it took about 4 to 6 weeks to get my 'special order', about 10 days to get the handle protector. As far as fitting in the case, no problem.

[XtremeEuph]

K thanks, yeah of course the handle one would work......not sure about the side one.

Ill give em a shout.

[imperialbari]

evan kindly quoted me in the first reply on this thread. This made me re-read my postings on that older thread. I still stand behind every letter I wrote.

My main point was and is, that the factors making the guards feel friendly to your skin are the very same, which are most dangerous to the walling of your brass instrument.

The really rotten fact is, that if you do not employ a totally ion-tight sealing layer, then most hand-/arm-guards will act as an acid deposit creating disasters on your instrument also during the many hours while you are NOT playing your instrument.

There are very different philosophies about instruments. Some organisations, bandish, orchestral, or military, count the life cycle of a brass instrument from anywhere between two or ten years.

I differ very much on that point. If an instrument has passed my scrutiny, then it is going to stay with me to the end of my days. I have sold very few instruments. Some went with students making better use of them, than I did. Absolutely no regrets on that matter.

One especially fine tenor trombone had to go for financial reasons 21 years ago. 15 years ago I wanted to buy it back, but it had been grossly abused, and the price demand was the same as my original sales price. No way!

My rant is about respecting instruments as expressive tools of ones artistry, mental legacy, or whatever applicable term. I know musicians, which I consider fine players, counting their instruments nothing more than money generators. I beg to differ on that point.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

[XtremeEuph]

If I had the money generator covered up by one of these,



I'd be very sore, but very rich.

Doc

Favourite Tubenet Attire Appearances: 10 521

[windshieldbug]

I wouldn't think anyone would need a leather guard unless their leather is extremely valuable

Speak for yourself

[XtremeEuph]

Now, I finally understand the guy!