Overall, lacquer will affect the tonal color. The more lacquer, or thicker "paint" on colored graphic horns, the less it will resonate or "speak." Some older horns with the lacquer worn off actually speak the most brilliantly, not always the case however. Plated horns, such as silver or gold will also act as the lacquer does in creating its own style of resonance, yet plating doesn't have quite the tendency to negatively detract or deaden the sound, as the sound resonates more freely. (not to say that lacquer is a negative thing! it's certainly not) It's just that a poor lacquer job can have negative affects on the sound. Hope that helps!