Posted by tommo on January 10, 1999 at 20:56:53:
In Reply to: Lacquer vs. Silver Plating posted by Santos on January 10, 1999 at 20:08:38:
On advice from a friend who plays horn, silver instruments tend to be heavier and thus create a darker sound. Within laquered instruments, there are also differences (gold brass, rose brass, yellow brass) with yellow brass instruments having the brightest sound. Horn players tend to go to extreme lengths to make sure their instruments have what they perceive to be the ideal combination of finishes (silver bell with gold brass body etc.). As tuba players, we don't have pockets deep enough to accomodate such lavish ideals so when I shop around for a new tuba, the type of finish is often the last thing on my mind.