Posted by Chuck(G) on April 17, 2003 at 12:50:54:
I know there are various opinions on yellow brass, red brass, gold brass and nickel-silver for leadpipes. And I can see that it might make a difference on higher-pitched instruments, such as trumpet or French ("Freedom") horn.
Given a leadpipe's tendency to corrode and accumulate crud from saliva, why not stainless steel or a nice high-tech polymer for tubas? Does anyone have some experimental evidence that a radically different material will substantially alter the sound coming out of the bell?