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Re: key metals

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2008-08-05 09:50

"I'm sure you're right, but why the difference?"
I really don't know. Cupro-nickel is a fair bit stronger than brass, and a fair bit more expensive and hard on tools, I suppose.

Perhaps there is just no point in having that strength and rigidity in sax mechanism, because the mechanism is mounted on posts which are mounted on very flimsy metal. There's no point in being stronger than the archilles heel.

Student flute keys are all cupronickel. Professional ones are typically silver (usually "sterling)", but sometimes gold.

Oboe keys are cupronickel or silver. (Oboes are not as up themselves as flutes get :-)

Bassoon keys: Cupronickel (or brass?)

"I have not yet figured out what the Chinese are using for their keys, it mostly looks like poorly plated pewter because of the uneven surface."

Perhaps they are (roughly) cast, reather than being (for strength) cold forged.

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key metals new

Phil Pedler

2008-08-03 00:28