Tuba Relacquer

[Stephen Shoop]

I have acquired a nice clean and stripped Mirafone 186 four valve BBb tuba. Assuming nothing else needs to be done, what is involved in relacquering the instrument and about how much might it cost?

[Stephen Shoop]

Thanks for the information, Bloke. I sense that selling an unlacquered instrument to an individual is not normally an issue. (In fact, such a buyer might even prefer an unlacquered instrument). However, when selling to a school... the band director might prefer a lacquered instrument for the sake of cosmetics (now and as the instrument develops toning).

[Donn]

Where did the school band director thing come from? For me, the moral of the story is that refinish costs are rarely the only thing on the ticket, but rather tend to be part of a more expensive restoration, because otherwise the finish only highlights the ravages of time. Usually the conversation proceeds to what innovative treatments might create a finish that's stable and presentable but tolerant of defects and not terribly expensive. I think car wax comes up, sulfides that promote an oxide layer, etc.

[Stephen Shoop]

Great points! Thanks.

[Stephen Shoop]

I will probably not have this horn relacquered. I just need to match it up with a buyer who is okay with polished raw brass. It is a really nice tuba... 1980 or 1981 vintage! I'll polish it up, get it chemically cleaned, have reachable dents removed, and add a hardshell case.

[Stephen Shoop]

Sounds good. Thanks.