Sorry, but saxophones do resonate. Resonance is what determines the kind of tone an instrument produces.

I believe the idea of the change of sound with the removal of lacquer is more in the mind of the person who is concious of a lack of lacquer. Even if there was no difference, their mind would create one out of expectance. Perhaps it could change the sound on a particular note/horn. I personally wouldn't believe anything unless it's justified and from a credible source. All I do know is DON'T re-lacquer horns, and even worse-buffing them. I've seen way too many horns destroyed by people who don't take care of them, and then want them to look new. It's not removing lacquer that changes sound, it's buffing, and that doesn't particulary have a good effect on the sound. It's just removing metal from the horn.

jazzer, In an odd way we kind of agree. As a repairman, I've relauquered many horns. Done correctly it helps the horn. Not one horn that I have laquered has ever been perfect except for bad lacquer. They all have dents, dings, bent posts,bent keys, bad pads... If the horn were kept in perfect condition by the owners I wouldn't relaquer it either. Matt

I believe relacquering would be a poor choice. my selmer markvi has less than 20% and I sometimes wonder if a newer or fully lacquered horn would be more resonant?? sometimes I feel that i have to "muscle" the sound out and it doesn't bounce as I would like it to but then I play my wife's king super20 and it has no issues with bounce?? Here in STL I utilize the advice of Tim repairman up at St. Louis woodwind and brass..he sez to use Lemon Pledge every so often to keep the buildup to a minimum and also to keep the brass off of your fingers. A moderate amount on some paper towels and then elbow grease..It will take the greenish copper oxidation off. Off the recommendation of repairman Blaze down at Nottlemans music I used a product called Flitz to a high level of success. I removed that gooked up patina of many years to a healthy proper shine! supposedly flitz does not remove metal? I had poor luck replating a metal otto link. It lost many of the desirable qualities about it. A crying shame to ruin a vintage super tone master NY. I believe it was doing my health and fingertips no good though......