Re: Red Spots...


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Posted by Chuck(G) on July 11, 2001 at 12:14:18:

In Reply to: Red Spots... posted by Whitney on July 11, 2001 at 11:11:44:

There is a slight chance that you have what is called "red rot", the leaching of zinc from the brass in your instrument, leaving nothing but spongy copper behind. But I doubt it, since you describe the spots as being "all over". Red rot tends to develop on leadpipes and slides where water (and saliva salts) can accumulate.

As part of the manufacturing/refurbishing process, an acid dip is usually used to clean the metal before lacquering. The acid is supposed to be thoroughly washed off before proceeding, but it sounds like this didn't happen in your case, so you're getting a progressively spreading rassh. It probably won't hurt your instrument in the long run, but it's not good.

If this is a new tuba, take it back to the dealer for replacement. There is no excuse for this sort of sloppiness. If this is a used tuba and a shop refurbished it, take it back to the shop get tough with them and tell them to put it right--strip the lacquer, clean and buff and relacquer. Again, there's no excuse for this kind of thing.

Good Luck!



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