Raw brass protection?

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
User avatar
TheHatTuba
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1150
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:00 pm
Location: Desert

Raw brass protection?

Post by TheHatTuba »

I've been honking on a raw brass Symphonie F for the past couple days, and my right wrist is bright red. What's a good way to prevent touching the brass without using long gloves or leather wraps?
User avatar
bort
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 11223
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by bort »

Someone here once suggested a yearly application of clear nail polish on the contact points. No clue if there are any bad effects, but if it's good enough for fingers... :wink:
User avatar
MikeW
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2012 2:44 pm
Location: North Vancouver, BC

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by MikeW »

  1. Lacquer
  2. Silver plating
The advanced search feature will get you information on the merits of each option.
Imperial Eb Kellyberg
dilettante & gigless wannabe
User avatar
Dan Schultz
TubaTinker
TubaTinker
Posts: 10427
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:46 pm
Location: Newburgh, Indiana
Contact:

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by Dan Schultz »

Unless the redness is debilitating... you might suffer with it for a few days until the brass develops a patina or your immune system adjusts to it. In the meantime... try applying a moisturizer to the red spot.
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
User avatar
Big Francis
bugler
bugler
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:47 am
Location: Lonsdale, MN

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by Big Francis »

Look up "Baby Legs" on the Google or Amazon (baby leggings). I only look for cute ones for my kid, so I'm not sure if they have any boring ones that will avoid a good teasing from the wittier members of your low brass section. Wear them on your right forearm. They fit on my forearm and I long ago stopped pretending I'm petite and dainty. There are probably more affordable brands that I don't know about too.

Frank
PMeuph
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1382
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:36 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by PMeuph »

I've used electric tape with great success. Clear packing tape also works but it won't last as long as the electrical tape and it might be slightly uneven.

I had a friend who used a tensor bandage on his wrist or on the horn.
http://www.latoplast.com/latoplast-prod ... -020-08051" target="_blank
Last edited by PMeuph on Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
User avatar
TheHatTuba
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1150
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:00 pm
Location: Desert

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by TheHatTuba »

PMeuph wrote:I've used electric tape with great success. Clear packing tape also works but it won't last as long as the electrical tape and it might be slightly uneven.
Sounds good so far, does it damage the brass?
PMeuph
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1382
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:36 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by PMeuph »

TheHatTuba wrote:
PMeuph wrote:I've used electric tape with great success. Clear packing tape also works but it won't last as long as the electrical tape and it might be slightly uneven.
Sounds good so far, does it damage the brass?

I haven't seen any damage. This following thread mentions bloke and J.c.Sherman both telling of wear under areas (using electrical tape).

YMMV.

viewtopic.php?t=38930&p=340552" target="_blank
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
Mark Horne
bugler
bugler
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:59 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by Mark Horne »

Check your local sporting goods store for compression sleeves. These are becoming quite popular in a variety of sports - they cover your wrist area and extend past the elbow. They are very compact when not worn and the fact that they provide a degree of compression might be beneficial to those who experience some forearm discomfort. It could also be useful for the left arm for those players who rest their forearm on the upper bow to manipulate slides.

Plenty of colors and styles to choose from. In fact, I may try one myself since my Neptune has the typical lacquer wear below the the thumb ring area.
Alexander 163 CC 5V, MW Thor, Mel Culbertson Neptune, B&S Symphonie F 6V
eupher61
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 2790
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:37 pm

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by eupher61 »

Dan will groan at this, but clear Contact paper works wonders. It is a pain in the a$$ to remove for any dent work, but it is cheap, lasts forever, and doesn't look bad on the tuba. You will be able to see the worn areas, which to me is a cool thing.
User avatar
MartyNeilan
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 4878
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:06 am
Location: Practicing counting rests.

Re: Raw brass protection?

Post by MartyNeilan »

FWIW, wrapping a large area of the tuba with electrical tape can have a major affect on the resonance of the tuba. I tried it myself some years ago, and was amazed at how "dead" the horn sounded afterwards. It only stayed on about a day.
PMeuph wrote:
TheHatTuba wrote:
PMeuph wrote:I've used electric tape with great success. Clear packing tape also works but it won't last as long as the electrical tape and it might be slightly uneven.
Sounds good so far, does it damage the brass?

I haven't seen any damage. This following thread mentions bloke and J.c.Sherman both telling of wear under areas (using electrical tape).

YMMV.

viewtopic.php?t=38930&p=340552" target="_blank" target="_blank
Post Reply