Re: Nickel versus Lacquer


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Posted by Chuck(G) on June 12, 2002 at 15:42:51:

In Reply to: Nickel versus Lacquer posted by David on June 12, 2002 at 13:07:37:

Nickel plating is very tough. Conn did some of their Pan American instruments in a matte nickel and it's generally held up quite well. Nickel tarnishes more slowly than silver, so it's been put to good use on limited-life student instruments.

The downside is that nickel is much harder than brass and doesn't have the elasticity of brass, so it can flake and peel--and the edges are quite sharp. While silver can be buffed off, nickel is too hard for the same treatment, although it can be stripped off electrolytically.

Nickel plates well onto steel and is often used as a "strike coat" on steel for other platings. Nickel-plated hardware is known for its economy and resistance to corrosion; a standard term is NPB "Nickel plated brass". But on the thin metal of a tuba or euphonium, durability might be a problem.

Given a choice, I'd opt for the lacquer.



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