silver plated tubas in leather gig bags

[ckalaher1]

I'm just wondering if I'm remembering this correctly;

Do silver plated tubas tend to tarnish at a quicker rate in a leather bag rather than a cordura bag or a hard case? I could be remembering this incorrectly, but I'm considering a purchase, and want to be informed before doing so.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Rick F]

I have this problem with my euph. I have a Cronkhite leather bag, which is great, but the bell shows a bit of tarnish after a few days in the bag. As I understand it, it's the dye used to color the leather that actually causes tarnish. The inside of the bag is lined nicely, but there are exposed seams that touch the rim of the bell. I bought a terry-cloth-lined shower cap that I put over the bell. This works but obviously wouldn't work for your tuba. I also made a bag of Pacific Silver cloth that I use for longer storage periods.

[awaters]

My horhs don't live in their leather gig bags. The HB lives in its hard case with anti tarnish strips inside. The Willson lives in a giant bag designed to hold large pieces of silver(urns candelabras etc). these keep the horns looking good!

[Dan Schultz]

Interesting subject. ... something I've not noticed before. I see A LOT of euph and tubas but not a lot of leather bags. I got in a Yamaha silver euph shortly before Christmas for some valve work. I performed the work and cleaned the horn up shortly after it came in. It's been laying around here (in the bag) for a couple months now. When things are left here for prolonged periods, I always think to have a '2nd look' at them to make sure nothing requires more lubrication. When I took the euph out of the bag I noticed quite a bit of silver tarnish.

Soooo.... yes, I suspect that the leather bag is a factor. Sulfur is a major culprit of silver tarnish. My guess it's either the dyes used or the tanning process that generates the chemistry.

[Chadtuba]

My silver euph is quite tarnished and is primarily toted around in a leather gig bag (Cronkhite I believe). When I bought it, it was tarnished and I have done little polishing on it since. It also spends as much time sitting on the stand exposed to the air so I really couldn't say one way or the other if it has anything to do with the leather bag or not.

On the other side of it, my tuba sits in an Alteri gig bag and does not seem to show tarnish from storage in the bag.

[tokuno]

Cordura, too.
My horn tarnished quickly in a Cronkhite cordura (I don't have a hard case, so it lives in there)
I opened the bag to air it out, to seemingly no avail, so I bought a yard of silvercloth to line the bag.
Seems to make a difference.

[SousaSaver]

Trumpet players deal with this all the time with valve covers. Also, don't leave cut up apples in your case or gig bag...