Why are silver euphoniums more popular?

[mikebmiller]

There is a kid in my community band that has about a 5 year old Mack euph in silver and it looks pretty bad. I don’t know if that is because he doesn’t take care of it or if the finish is just wearing out.

[peterbas]

Deleted

[LowBrassNYC]

It's a premium finish. As for lacquer, it's not a matter of if it's going to come off, it's a matter of when.

[bbocaner]

two secrets to keeping silver looking brand new:

1. 3m silver protector strips in the case, impedes tarnish.
2. windex after you play. takes all the fingerprints off before they get to the point where they are difficult to remove.

[tbonesullivan]

Washing hands before playing is also a definite help, and wiping contact points with a microfiber cloth helps as well. This goes for lacquer, plated, or even raw brass.

[Wyvern]

Just a random observation after visiting TE yesterday and seeing the Cory band last night. It seems like every euphonium you see has a silver plated finish. Although you can buy most models in silver or lacquer, silver seems way more popular, even though it is typically several hundred dollars more expensive. Is it just tradition? The only non silver instruments in the Cory band were the 3 Rath trombones.

Just wondering.

In the UK it has been tradition of lacquer for orchestral instruments and silver for band instruments - and euphonium are usually band instruments. The reason for this may be because in the UK they are predominately owned by brass bands - and silver instruments are easier to repair and the finish lasts better over the long term

[mikebmiller]

.

In the UK it has been tradition of lacquer for orchestral instruments and silver for band instruments - and euphonium are usually band instruments. The reason for this may be because in the UK they are predominately owned by brass bands - and silver instruments are easier to repair and the finish lasts better over the long term

Are instruments usually owned by the band or by the players?

[Wyvern]

Are instruments usually owned by the band or by the players?

Most instruments used in British brass bands are owned by the band. Nearly all bands own a complete set of brass and in my experience only a small percentage of players buy their own.

This tradition goes back to when they were poor workers in a factory and the instruments were bought by the business owner who sponsored the band.

[mikebmiller]

So the factory owners bought them cornets instead of giving a pay raise Good business plan!