Often times in discussions with my wind musician peers, the discussion of lacquer and horns comes up. My director plays trombone with no lacquer on the bell. In addition, I have a friend who plays on a selmer series II tenor sax with a neck that is lacquerless. I`ve also read here and there about different types of materials and finishes being used for saxes. My question is what is the scoop with the lacquer?

lacquer can change the timbre of an intrument. from sounding very loud bright and often brassy which happens with a silver finish. to mellow and dark, that comes with a black lacquer finish. silver finishes r usually common in core marching bands such as DCI which requires all instruments to be silver. *DCI-Drum Core International that means only brass and drums, u won`t find a saxophone there*

I heard pretty much the same thing. It doesn`t have a big effect on your tone. The brand and the mouthpeice will affect the tone much more.

Yea I get DCI, my bro is working with the Bluecoats. What does the red brass/copper do to the tone?

i just got a busher 200 tener at a yard sale looked dull and i used MOTHERS CAR WAX on it man did it clean that horn nice lady at music store told me its worth 700.00 i got it for 45.00 happy saxing