Saxophone Finishes: Lacquer and Plating

Most saxophones are made from brass or bronze brass and are then either metal-plated or lacquered. The main purpose of lacquer is to protect the metal from deterioration and corrosion but it also helps maintain the original aesthetic of the instrument for longer.

The most common lacquers are clear and gold, giving the saxophone a timeless, gold finish. Coloured lacquers are available, such as black or amber, which is applied more thickly and wears more slowly than the clear and gold lacquers. There is, of course, the option of an unlacquered instrument, which is particularly popular amongst the jazz community. The raw brass material of these instruments naturally form a patina which gives them a matte finish.

Aside from lacquer, saxophones can also be plated, most commonly in silver or gold. This plating can be polished to brilliance and protects the brass very well.

Aesthetic is one aspect to consider when determining what finish you'd like on an instrument, however, the more controversial consideration is the impact it has on the sound. Some musicians believe that the tonal difference lies solely in the instrument underneath the finish yet we can't discount the influence of the lacquer or plating, which adds weight and a variety of materials to the instrument. Those people who believe the finish changes the outcome have described unlacquered instruments as brighter and louder than with a standard clear or gold lacquer, and plated instruments as having a darker sound.

What camp are you in - lacquered or unlacquered, plated or not plated - and does the finish change the sound?