Pros and cons of Gold Plating top section of bell

[Locky]

I am interested in views on the following please.

Hard working three year old Miraphone 1261 Eb in lacquer. The overall condition is first class. The top bell section is prone to cosmetic lacquer bleed to a small portion of the rim, assorted dings, blemishes and scratches from the scratch fairy. I stress all cosmetic and if removed to return in three years no doubt!

So what are the pros cons of sorting out the blemishes, without introducing a buzz by upsetting the wire in the rim, and gold plating externally & internally the top section of the bell to its join with the body at about six inches depth?

What is likely to be involved in the workshop and what in your collective experience might be the difference, if any, in the way the instrument speaks? It already has a broad sound for a 4/4 Eb and it would be a desired aim to further “darkenâ€

[Alex C]

Gold plating the bell will make the notes come out smoother.



I heard somebody say this. They may have made it up.

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Daniel C. Oberloh

[Chuck(G)]

Don't worry about the bell wire buzzing if the bell is cleaned up--should it happen, your repair tech should be perfectly capable of locating the offending area.

Gold-plating, however, is a different matter. Be aware that with the thickness of plating commonly used, any blemishes in the surface will show right through the plating, so preparation prior to plating is more painstaking--and, since it will involve removing the bell to be plated (since that's what you're asking for), substantially more expensive.

Given that you're going to ding it up again in a couple of years by your own admission, why bother? Just get it cleaned up and relacquered. It'll look fine--and you'll sleep better for not having sunk a bunch of cash in a ding-prone bell.

[TubaRay]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.
Daniel C. Oberloh

I always wondered why I got so many speeding tickets in my red truck.

[Rick Denney]

[quote="Locky"]What is likely to be involved in the workshop and what in your collective experience might be the difference, if any, in the way the instrument speaks? It already has a broad sound for a 4/4 Eb and it would be a desired aim to further “darkenâ€

[hbcrandy]

Cosmetic dents and scratches in the bell of a tuba, generally, do not affect the playing characteristics of the instrument. Don't worry about the physical beauty of the tuba. Be concerned with the beauty of the sound and music that comes out of the bell. That is what impresses audition committees.

[The Big Ben]

Gold plating the bell will make the notes come out smoother.

I grease the inside of mine with Vaseline. Seems to help get out those tight high notes.

Jeff "Wanna buy some oceanview property in Montana?" Benedict

[lgb&dtuba]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Daniel C. Oberloh

Especially if you also add quick shift floor mats and high speed bumper bolts.

[Mark]

Gold plating and lacquered, yellow brass usually do not look good next to each other.

[windshieldbug]

I've heard that the hot set-up for a dark sound is to use a bell made of ice, but that just may be the heavier sound waves, since the response really falls off quickly above 32°

[Chuck(G)]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Well, maybe. It depends on what the finish of your truck was before painting. If it was a rough, rusty finish, then sure, coating it with a nice glossy paint would reduce the drag, would it not?

[WoodSheddin]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Well, maybe. It depends on what the finish of your truck was before painting. If it was a rough, rusty finish, then sure, coating it with a nice glossy paint would reduce the drag, would it not?

no

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Well, maybe. It depends on what the finish of your truck was before painting. If it was a rough, rusty finish, then sure, coating it with a nice glossy paint would reduce the drag, would it not?

Finish?, glossy? Hell, its a truck and who has time for that when there are horns on the bench needing repairs. I'm talking barn paint applied with a broom. Yeah, Mark is correct, gold plate looks like crap when mixed with lacquered brass. Don't bother.

Daniel C. Oberloh

[windshieldbug]

I'm talking barn paint applied with a broom.

Hell, you want to make it slippery, just spray it with WD40!

[Locky]

Thanks all. In the main an anticipated dose of realism and a few laughs on the way. Red paint you think?

[trseaman]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.

Daniel C. Oberloh

Especially if you also add quick shift floor mats and high speed bumper bolts.

And... Don't forget the Yosemite Sam mud flaps!!

Tim

[Chuck(G)]

I'm talking barn paint applied with a broom.

Does a tuba play faster if it's painted with glossy red paint?

[Wyvern]

The thought has occurred to me - what about having a nickel silver band (garland) fitted around the top of the bell, to cover the damage and strengthen? But I don't know if that is practical, or how it would affect the sound?

Otherwise John, if it is worrying you, just have the dents knocked out and the tuba re-lacquered (or silver plated which I believe costs no more - at least at Mr.Tuba). Then use a tuba stand to avoid damage in future. I have found using one considerably reduces the chance of damage (only one very slight dent on my Neptune in two years use).

Jonathan "who only ever stands his tubas on their bells for maintenance"

[TubaRay]

...and painting my truck red will make it go faster.
Daniel C. Oberloh

Especially if you also add quick shift floor mats and high speed bumper bolts.

And... Don't forget the Yosemite Sam mud flaps!!
Tim

Absolutely! This is quite important.