MFfan

I like the raw brass look of my Czech trumpet and Besson 8-10, both of which I stripped. I use a neoprene guard on the Besson. I have car waxed the Czech after a polish with brass stuff. The raw brass bell pipe of the Besson has a beautiful , rich gold luster. I have been working on the Getzen cornet, but haven't completed that yet. No ill effects so far and no green stuff.

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Dave Rafferty
07 Barrington Trumpet, 1972 Reynolds Medalist
55 Besson 8-10 trumpet
55 Roth by Reynolds Cornet
73 Olds Ambassador Cornet
30's Czech small bore Trumpet
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66 Olds Ambassador Trumpet
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Dave Mickley

don't let raw brass turn you away from a horn, you can always get a finish of your choice put on. I bought a Lawler C7 in raw brass and after I knew I was going to keep it I had it silver plated and it played and sounded just the same plated as when it was raw brass. Buy the horn that works best for you and worry about looks later. just an old man rambling. Dave

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formerly known as old geezer Dave
C7
Yam. 231 Fl. 15383
King Master Cornet 295628
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wiseone2

Raw brass tastes yucky.................... Don't ask, trust me on this one.
Wilmer

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Vulgano Brother

Violists taste even yuckier, and if you should hit one over the head with your trumpet, you can pound the dents out without any damage to the finish. Well, I think they taste yuckier....never tried anything other than clarinet players, horn players, pianists and singers. They taste ok.

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MrA2You

Not only tastes yucky but makes ya hands smell as well!!!! Now aint the raw brass supposed to make the sound a little mellower? ( or should that be "a little more mellow"? mmmmm now THERES an english grammar lesson in the making ).

rowuk

Walter,
The original post was about the ADVANTAGE of raw brass, to which I believe there is none. The disadvantages for many are the green hands. As far as being poisonous, I also think that a chemist or handguard salesman would make a bigger deal out of this. I don't see oldtime players with unlaquered horns developing any brass related diseases. It was popular in Germany years ago to play on raw brass mouthpieces. Those players in many cases reached 80 - 90 years without any particular sicknesses. I think the health issue is negligible for most. If in doubt, go see a doctor and let THEM worry about it.

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Walter

Hi Rowuk

I did realize the op was looking for advantages but the drift seemed to be heavily weighted against....at the end of the day there may be no benefits. Having said that some people like the look of raw brass and think it is "cool"....and as difficult as it is to quantify it may resonate more freely.....

As far as eating, licking and smelling..... don't, don't and wash your hands

Walter

B15M

I have three raw brass Monette trumpets and one gold plated.

As far as how they play or sound, I don't think the plating has anything to do with it. I was told when I bought my first Monette that Lacquer was not good for the sound. I am not a good enough player to know. I assume that they did tests with some great players before deciding not to offer lacquer.

I do notice that on the raw brass horns I can see a little ware spot on the valves. If it were lacquer it would save the brass.

I also notice that when I play the raw brass horns I get a funny smell on my hands. I haven't figured that out yet.

I have another trumpet on the way. It is raw brass. The only reason I picked raw is because I can't afford the plating.

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JuJu Horn

Soundwise:
Raw brass is as natural as it gets (solder, braces, compound, thickness, flare design etc aside)
Gold as close to raw brass of all finishes
lacquer - darker than raw brass (even thin lacquer)
Silver - brighter than raw brass

Your sound - body, palate, blow, mouthpiece, sound concept - These are more important and influential over the sound you get than all of the above.

Play the style of horn that works for you and your sound concept. Of course it could take years to work this out.

Try the flugelhorn if you love it buy it and have it checked, worked over plated, lacquered or just polished by a top repair person.

Gold, silver, lacquer or brass they all come off when we sweat and play. The contact areas on my horns wear quickly. It does not matter what the finish or horn is. When i finally purchased a gold plated horn I was very surprised when the contact areas showed loss of plating so quickly but hey play a lot get sweaty and something has to give. Most platings are thin so they have as little impact on the horn resonance as possible (other than the student range).

Even (contact point) patchy my horns still sounds great which is all you worry about after it has left the horn and is on tape or in the audiences memory.

Want to work towards a brighter sound concept - practice outdoors, want to darken your sound concept - practice in a medium to small reflective space.

Want to play better practice in every type of acoustic space with focus, intent and a plan on the horn that you have.

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1958 Selmer K Modified - Silver
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Monette B4S prana FLG

B15M

I don't understand this. I have heard it said before by top shelf guys too (but):

To plate a horn with gold, you have to plate it with silver first. Gold doesn't stick to brass. When you do the first silver plate, doesn't that change the sound?

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