myth busters help me with finish questions

[bort]

i'm not sure what gold brass bell lacquer is.

I'm assuming this means it's a lacquer-finish instrument with a gold brass bell. That would be in contrast to the standard yellow brass. This is the only one of the options that REALLY makes a difference -- it's a different type of brass, not just a different appearance. Gold brass will give you a warmer sound, with a little less edge and a little less projection. Yellow brass will be a little brighter, more potential to get edgy, and perhaps better projection.

If it were me, I wouldn't get the gold brass, something this small I would want all the projection help I could get. Raw brass, silver, or lacquer, everyone has an opinion about the actual effects, there's really not a lot of agreement on the subject. I think plain ol' lacquer makes the most sense for most people, unless you just like the way it looks in another finish.

[Donn]

Especially for an audience located farther from the bell - so I suppose as usual the ideal would be an evaluation that includes sharp eared confederates.

[iiipopes]

Schilke experimented with finishes. His observations are summarized here:
http://www.dallasmusic.org/schilke/Bras ... l#Finishes" target="_blank

That said, new "dry" or "epoxy" or "electrostatic" lacquer finishes are much, much thinner in their coatings, and so there really aren't any noticeable differences anymore. It's mostly a matter of taste, and what will wear well with the particular player's body chemistry.

[eupher61]

Frankly, if the gold brass does have the affect of holding together a bit louder. ..I'd go for that. The projection isn't going to be that different, they aren't really intended to fill an arena. Holding together at a list volume would be a huge plus in my book.

[tusabtuba]

At one time there was a "gold lacquer" that was used by Selmer (Paris) on their trumpets and saxophones. It had a deeper gold appearance than clear lacquer. When relacquering a Selmer Paris instrument shops used gold lacquer, and it could be specified for other instruments, as it was sprayed on the same.