Posted by Gerald on January 16, 1999 at 09:43:53:
In Reply to: Benefits--Laq. removal posted by Jon on January 15, 1999 at 21:23:54:
The topic has been discussed here in the past couple months. Dig a little.
Some believe that the laquer dampens the metal resonances, and so remove it. In most shops repeated relaquering destroys the horn because the polishing process thins the brass to the point it gets too thin. Silver or nickel plate should do a lot less to the metal resonances than laquer dobbed on with a mop. Thin laquer shouldn't do much to a horn's sound other than preserve the brass. The horns I see without laquer are not being kept clean. Without some protective coating brass accumulates grunge and oxides and presents an appearance of something rescued from the salvage yard. In my opinion those accumulated oxides and grunge will dampen the horn a great deal more (except where they eat holes in it) than a properly applied and maintained laquer finish. Brass is not a metal resistant to atmosphere and liquids, its a metal that works conveniently. A horn made of stainless would stand up a lot better without cleaning or coatings, but the shop guys would never complete building one because it wouldn't draw, spin and bend with the tools they have.
Gerald