Bobert -

It`s great to see someone else who knows about instruments on a technical level. I admit I don`t know as much as you, but I have the basic stuff down and I think what we have is a clash of experiences.

It`s obvious that there is some sort of foundation to what Reynold Schilke and Dave Monette thought/think about lacquering horns and it detracting from a good sound. I can think of few instruments that play better then Schilke`s line of instruments, and though I`ve only briefly used Monettes, I realize the play very well, too. However, I`ve found that I like the overall feel of lacquered horns over silver plated, and especially gold plated horns. That`s not to say that if I lost my C and Bb to some accident, that I would be so ignorant as to not even try silver plated horns. I just happen to like my two horns.
I`ll grant that I have played a fair amount of horns, especially Bach Strads, and there have been more silvers that I liked then lacquered, and that is problably for the reasons you stated. Still though, when I pick up my horn(s), I find myself liking their response and overall playing style more. Obviously this would be, inpart, due to my knowing my horn`s quirks and having played it forever, but there is still something about them.
I should point out though, when I bought my horns, I actually went to Dillon Music`s store and played around...oh, twenty-five of each instrument before choosing mine, so I think I just happen to get to especially great horns.
Honestly, if I had to suggest a horn for someone to buy via the internet or something, it would a Yamaha Zeno, silver plated horn. They`re really fantastic instruments, and though I though they`re a bit zingy, you can`t go wrong with them, whereas with a Bach, it`s hit or miss (more often miss, I think.) That is of course, unless you`re buying a picc, in which case I`d suggest a Schilke P5-4, or Kanstul CCT-920.
As you said though, it all comes down to preference, and I don`t believe any horn manufacturer is good enough to produce a perfect horn every time, so everyone should pick their horn out of a broad line of `identicle` instruments. Thats what I did, and I`m more then happy, and so is my audience (usually...), and thats all that counts.

Cheers,
Aaron

Aaron...you seem to be very well versed with trumpet design, as do a few others here. I hope some of the less learned, including myself, can learn from what you have taken to time to type.

Someone said "Just keep in mind that Dave Monette doesn`t lacquer his instruments."

Is the Dave Monette sound the only `right` trumpet sound?

Also, did I also read that lacquer increases the thickness of the brass by 100%!!!? (doubles the thickness?). Maybe I misremembered that, but I believe that`s grossly incorrect.

http://joeleymard.free.fr/Smith/IOA/material.htm

There is an interesting website concerning the thickness of material used for the bell.

We could argue about this all day...or rather, discuss. Would it help anything? Probably not. If someone has the chance to play, or pick between, a lacquered trumpet and a silver/unlacquer, please, play them both! If you don`t have a chance, then you`ll have to go with the one you get anyhow. If you have the chance to play both, then you`ll be able to discern which one works best for you.

I`m open to thinking in a new way about lacquer vs brass, but it really comes down to how well it plays. If you come across a trumpet in brass that plays much better than another one in silver, don`t let brass vs lacquer be the deciding factor.


Bonnie

Bonnie -

You bring about great points. Yes, on some very cheap horns, the lacquer can nearly double the /bell`s/ thickness, but on decent horns (Zeno, Strad, Getzen), it`s no where near that. My belief is that you should just play a bunch of horns with a teacher or someone who knows what to listen for, listening to you, and have them tell you what you sound best on. Then take a look at the one you like the most playing wise, and take some time to play both (or all). It`s not easy to pick up a horn and play it to it`s potential - you have to get to know it a bit.

As Dr. Sievers says, "Forget about the paintjob and just play." - I`m all for doing just that. I own lacquer because they were the horns I liked best out of the twenty plus I played at Dillon Music. That`s it

Cheers!
Aaron

I think the original idea about the lacquer was, if you`ve found a horn you like, don`t get it painted. I agree. Get a junker painted and play it for kicks.

I guess we all agree

Bonnie