finish durability question

[SousaSaver]

The "chipped paint" look on the outer slides is probably just that: worn off lacquer.

Well that's what I have been thinking this whole time. I think the nickel-silver slides ARE lacquered along with the rest of the horn...

Here are a couple of examples of what I am talking about:

Notice the 3rd valve slide on this Yammy souzy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2463wt_753" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Notice the nickel-silver trim (esp. the first valve slide) on this Alex BBb:


http://www.tubaexchange.com/used-produc ... r%20163%20(McCaslin" target="_blank" target="_blank)

Let me be clear. The OUTER slides will be lacquered. The inner slides won't.

[Dan Schultz]

Some people develop a nickel contact allergic reaction, most often from jewelry.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&suge ... 33&bih=647" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/nickel-jewelry-allergy" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Oh yeah! I ran into a friend from college at a French Horn show a few weeks ago and he plays a nickel silver Holton French Horn. Over the past few years, he has developed a nickel allergy from playing his horn! He has put protective covers where ever he handles the horn, but he can't do it inside the bell. The answer (although it's still temporary) is to silver plate the inside of the bell. It will eventually wear down, but it will help him out in the mean time.

What an awful thing for a musician to go through...

I guess the player could easily wear one of those little white gloves for holding inside the bell.

[SousaSaver]

I guess the player could easily wear one of those little white gloves for holding inside the bell.

That is an interesting thought. My father used to tell me "Why do you always have to do things the hard way..."

[toobagrowl]

Let me be clear. The OUTER slides will be lacquered. The inner slides won't.

That is what I have been talking about this whole time and noone seemed to understand!!! So the larger/outer/female slides that are nickel-silver are lacquered as well as the rest of the brass tuba. The nickel-silver tubing isn't bare - it IS lacquered. Just what I thought from the beginning... Good. Now we are clear.