Posted by Rick Denney on November 20, 2002 at 16:32:43:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Seeking advice on protecting the shine posted by Erica on November 20, 2002 at 16:20:34:
If you want to wear gloves while playing it, go to a camera store and get "lintless cotton gloves." Photographers use these to handle negatives. A box of many pairs is a few bucks. They are disposable.
Sometimes you have to make the best of things. If the horn sounds okay and plays with manageable intonation, then other things can be fixed up to a point.
I'm wondering if this tuba is unlacquered or nickel-plated. If it was lacquered, you shouldn't be having this problem so soon. You might just go ahead and buff out the spatulas and paint them with brass lacquer or even clear fingernail polish. You'll have to do it frequently--most horns show oxidation here in pretty short order. Where your arm and left hand touch the horn will also be problems and will eventually wear through the lacquer (if there is any) and tarnish the brass. Lots of rotary-tuba players use a piece of vinyl wrapped around the bell stack to protect it from your arm.
Other tuba players just let their horns tarnish naturally and don't worry about it.
Rick "whose tubas are relaxing into a pleasant brown patina" Denney