Removing lacquer on flugel

Schilkeshaker · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:17 am Post subject: Removing lacquer on flugel

Just one question:

How would it effect the tone etc. to remove the lacquer from an old Getzen Eterna flugel?

Marty*

Schilkeshaker · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 12:09 am Post subject:

Anyone?!

cujazztrpt · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:54 am Post subject:

Some folks will say it make it a little darker, some say nothing will change.
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DCB1 · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 6:03 am Post subject:

improver · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Posts: 1455

it wont affect it

Solar Bell · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 11:05 am Post subject:

Why would want to do that?
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Chuck Willard

Robert Rowe · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject:

Go for it ! (Take it all off !).
Your're more likely to have L-S-S ("Loose Sphincter Syndrome") than to get brass-poisoning.

Robert Rowe

DCB1 · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject:

Dale Proctor · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject:

I don't think taking the lacquer off a horn does much of anything except make it tarnish.

Sooner · Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 7:55 pm Post subject:

If anything, removing the lacquer will brighten the sound. Some people claim that it really changes the sound, some people don't think it does anything.
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Robert Rowe · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 5:41 am Post subject:

There is a difference; although I am hard-pressed to characterize it, or quantify it.

Consider: I have three (3) sets of almost identical horns; in each case, one (1) is in original condition and with the factory-applied lacquer, and it's identical "twin" has had the lacquer removed. All the horns have never had modifications, nor repairs. These are not mere "pedestrian" horns ... 1940's vintage Martin Committees, late 1950's Conn Connstellations, and 1960's Getzen Super-Deluxe Artists (S. Silver bells).
I enlisted the aid of another musician (non-horn player) with a fine "set of ears" to assist in discerning any audible differences in tone or sound characteristics. The results of a "blind test comparison" indicated very, very slight noticeable "cleaner, warmer tone" from the un-lacquered horns. The sense that I (the player) got, was a feeling of better response and centering (the direct and sympathetic harmonic vibrations transmitting through the horn, both in my hands and against my lips).

Just wanted to "shed some light" on this controversial issue -- at least from my perspective.

By-the-way, the un-lacquered horns were not highly polished to a "fair-thee-well". I occasionally (about every 3-4 weeks) give them a 15-minute superficial polishing, followed by a wipe-down with an oily rag (soft Tee shirt used for catching excess valve-oil run-out). I've been doing this for years, and it an easy "no-hassle" maintenance program ... dispelling the myth of high-maintenance on un-lacquered horns.

Keep tootin' !
Robert Rowe