Posted by Tim Chen on December 05, 2003 at 01:44:10:
In Reply to: Raw Brass Tubas posted by turbod on December 04, 2003 at 17:51:19:
A few years back I read a research on this topic by Ronald Schilke, I remember the conclusion was that of all finishes, silver being most consistent because it's very thin and quite durable. Lacquer being least consistent because the thickness was somewhere like seven times thicker than silver so if wear occurs (very likely going to happen), thickness can vary quite a bit. I think lacquer also dampens the sound somewhat. My F is has no lacquere and I think raw brass tubas sound literally "raw", the sound uncovered but not as smooth though. Isn't it how tubas are suppose to be if there isn't any finish used to protect the instrument?