Mouthpiece with plating worn off

[oldschooltromboneplayer]

With the horn I got yesterday came a mouthpiece with the plating worn off. Is it a bad idea to use it?

[LetItSlide]

I’ve read and heard varying takes on whether brass poisoning from a raw brass mouthpiece is cause for concern. Personally, I would avoid it.

[oldschooltromboneplayer]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

Thanks

[JohnL]

Raw brass causes skin issues for some people but not everyone. Why risk it?

[Doug Elliott]

1. It tastes bad
2. A very few people are sensitive to brass, or become sensitive to it.
3. I know people who have always played on raw brass for decades, with no issues.
4. "Brass poisoning" does not occur from contact such as playing a brass mouthpiece. As I understand it can be from long term inhalation exposure to brass dust. I have been working with brass for over 40 years and have no issues.
5. There are periodic scare tactics regarding lead content in brass. I recently got my blood lead level tested and it was quite low. After decades of daily handling raw brass including sanding and buffing.

[BGuttman]

If you feel squeamish about the raw brass, you can coat it with some clear nail polish.

If you just want to play it to test, just play it. If you like it, then worry about a more permanent solution.

[oldschooltromboneplayer]

Wise words Doug and Bruce. Thanks.

[MahlerMusic]

Mouthpieces are cheap... new or used.
If the pieces is special some how, keep it with the horn for resale but no reason to use an old mouthpiece. They have only gotten better over the years.

[tbdana]

... 5. There are periodic scare tactics regarding lead content in brass. ...

I have a memory of reading that the serious lead content problem is only with very old mouthpieces. But for the life of me I can't remember where I read it, so grain of salt and all.

[Doug Elliott]

As far as I know the lead content hasn't significantly changed but old mouthpieces had other various contaminants.. A long time ago Bruce had a bunch if old mouthpieces tested for metal content.
Current "non-leaded" brass still has some lead in it, just less.