In theory, seeing as metal plating bonds with the underlying metal it would allow an object to have more resonance, or have less of a difference than a non-plated instrument would normally have. But we also take the time to put braces at certain locations to dampen less desirable noise outside of structural reasons.
Perhaps, we should get a company to make us instruments in the same material or molecular structure. It would be very expensive (not it), but having a tuba made out of certain Stainless Steels, Platinum, Rhodium, Carbon Fiber, maybe Titanium, Gold is too soft, or better plastic could work.
The flute world already has that, with fancy metals, as mentioned in this forum at times. We already do with Steel and plastic mouthpieces too. Heck, some instruments are made of bone/actual horns.
Plus, nicer or more expensive plastic can probably work out nicely if some effort was put into redesigning a tuba to better match the way the plastic would resonate.
And, who knows, just people do with cases, bags, bottles, etc. maybe people would be more into showing their "creative expressions" ie stickers or bling on their instruments too.
Can I talk
@bloke into getting a silver plated instrument? Probably not, I don't enjoy being a sales person. But I would probably have an easier time to convince someone to get a tuba made out of the materials above, if the price is right!
. Kinda like lacquer on sliver.