Posted by It depends... on December 04, 2003 at 18:05:07:
In Reply to: Raw Brass Tubas posted by turbod on December 04, 2003 at 17:51:19:
are you a non-corrosive individual? No kidding--there are some whose skin oils and perspiration can orange-peel a shiny brass finish in nothing flat. Since this is going to be your own horn, that's something to think about. If you're pretty neutral, then I'd leave a nice patina build up over time, or put one on yourself (Bismuth sulfide works pretty well).
Forget bead blasting--on a raw brass tuba, it won't look that great and it'll thin the metal. If you let the brass age, the shine will disappear with time.
C(G)