A Guide To Brass Finishes (Tuba/Low Brass)

Finishes for brass arguments without end. My friends and I were debating the merits of their effects on the tonal properties ever since we were Jr. High.This guide will present the most common three types of finishes, help to distinguish fact from fiction and list the advantages and disadvantages.Three main types of finishing are used. What are varnish lacquer, Silver Plate and Raw Brass.Silver PlatePros: * longer duration of all the finishes * for easy repairs * rumored to be stronger * warm SoundCons: * more expensive than lacquer * corrosion can be quite nasty * requires plated oftenSilver polishing tubas are very commonAlthough not as popular as the clear lacquer price. A question common, but no response concerning this finish with respect to volume. The rumour that the silver sousaphones are stronger. Just know that plated silver tubas are generally known for sound warmer than other types of finishing. Maintenance is more difficult than the clear lacquer, because it requires regular polishing to prevent nasty black corrosion.Silver plate too has issues of sustainability. Too much polishing or manipulation may be through money in places, making the instrument look much worse than it really is. Repairs will be easier and seems plues even if, as the heat may damage a lacquer finish. Finish is tied to the metal by electrodeposition, rather that sprayed on.Claire LacquerPros: * or brilliant Shine * easy to Clean * cheap to Re-coat * dark, low soundCons: * stifling light sound * will wear through placesThe most popular end of choice for many school groups is varnish lacquer, but this is not all the means in this way. Previous lacquer finishes were founded and pulverized on solvents. To get good coverage, it was very thick. It seemed like "throw a blanket on the thing", muffling the sound. Improvement of lacquer finishes have this considerably reduced, but even now painted tubas have a little more quiet sound that similar silver plated one.The lacquer is just a coating such as coating on your car, on the brass on the tuba. This finish can have a brightness of bright gold and is the most sustainable commune ends. This finish characterized by its deep tone, dark in the lower sounds. Lacquer also has easier maintenance of the standard and more durable finishes.Gross BrassPros: * unparalleled sound - for some * better responseCons: * vulnerable to corrosion * will be your hands green * Looks uneven finish * cheaper - no finishFrom that I have read, brass raw not a good option for most of the players. This lack of finishing removes all protection qualities that other products of finishing. RAW brass will tarnish, but this is really a good thing; the discolouration will help protect a little for the metal underneath. Sweaty hands are another thing to monitor with this finish. Contact must remain at a minimum, except if you want to leave footprints of permanent hand. The acidity of your hands can eat accelerate oxidation, continuing to metal below.Also, holding on these will turn your green hands.Raw brass however has an advantage. It is said that they have a better answer and its better than other finishing products.Of course it is not the only types of finishes available. There are many more, all with different tonal properties. However; These are probably what you run.