Black Tarnish quickly forms on mouthpiece

[Dom]

Hello all, I have an interesting issue, after practicing I usually notice a strong black discoloration on the rim of my mouthpiece. I brush my teeth before playing religiously, and I'm using an SM4U. I also wash my mouthpiece before and after playing. I'm fairly sure it's not the brass underneath poking through, since I can just easily polish it back. It seems to form in the same spots every time, one large spot and 2 smaller spots.

Thanks!

Edit: I should add that it's silver plate

[RickF]

Not sure but sounds to me like something in your body chemistry may be causing that. Do you have any black tarnish show up where you hold the horn? A possible remedy would be to have your mpc rim gold plated. I always like using gold plated rims myself -- not for the tarnish factor so much as it feels smoother or more slippery on my chops.

[davewerden]

I agree with Rick, that it is just tarnish. I have used Hagerty silver polish with tarnish preventative to clean and protect mouthpieces. I ASSUME it is safe for mouthpieces because it is used/recommended for silverware that one eats with.

Leather may cause tarnish. Do you use a leather mouthpiece pouch, or does your instrument case have any exposed leather near the mouthpiece?

3M makes Tarni-Shield strips that could go in the case. The strips "attract" tarnish and keep it from the horn/mouthpiece.

[highpitch]

Using Clearasil or some such complexion cream can cause that.

Any contact with a Sulfurous compound will tarnish Silver immediately.

DG

[Dom]

Not sure but sounds to me like something in your body chemistry may be causing that. Do you have any black tarnish show up where you hold the horn? A possible remedy would be to have your mpc rim gold plated. I always like using gold plated rims myself -- not for the tarnish factor so much as it feels smoother or more slippery on my chops.

Interesting, I actually do find small black dots on the bell in front of the lead pipe, maybe it is my body Chemistry. In a few months I may try the SMX or SMXR series mouthpieces and if I vastly prefer them I will probably get it in gold-plate. Ive always liked the idea of a gold-plate mouthpiece. (Maybe one day my dream of a gold plate satin sovereign will come true too ;D )

I agree with Rick, that it is just tarnish. I have used Hagerty silver polish with tarnish preventative to clean and protect mouthpieces. I ASSUME it is safe for mouthpieces because it is used/recommended for silverware that one eats with.

Leather may cause tarnish. Do you use a leather mouthpiece pouch, or does your instrument case have any exposed leather near the mouthpiece?

3M makes Tarni-Shield strips that could go in the case. The strips "attract" tarnish and keep it from the horn/mouthpiece.

I actually use the sunshine polishing cloths and I absolutely love them, I find them very convenient but they are a bit expensive up here in Canada. Maybe I should look into the preventative polish, I have the silversmiths spray since I had to polish a black imperial silver again, but I'm not sure if its preventative. I don't have anything made out of leather but those strips you mentioned sound really interesting, I think I may look into them! Another thing I should add is that my horn is just on its stand, I only really put it in the case for transport.

Using Clearasil or some such complexion cream can cause that.

Any contact with a Sulfurous compound will tarnish Silver immediately.

DG

This is intriguing since I'm still very young, so I wash my face religiously and I do have some products, I'll read the labels to make sure they aren't sulphurous.