Re: tuba metals


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Posted by Chuck on February 18, 2000 at 16:10:29:

In Reply to: tuba metals posted by JRTapes on February 18, 2000 at 15:39:39:

A stainless tuba would probably weigh less than a comparably-sized brass one (steel has much higher tensile strength and weighs less per cubic foot). But manufacturing problems would be horrendous (stainless doesn't work very easily). Brass has the advantage that it can be spun (to make bells) and is very malleable.

Nickel-silver is occasionally used in low brass (a lot of French horns are made of it); I have a nickel-silver baritone and I believe there was the occasional tuba produced in it. While NS gives a brighter tone and works fairly easily (it's mostly copper and actually contains no silver), it's quite a bit heavier than brass.

Unless the world goes tuba crazy, I figure we're a long way from the first titanium tuba...


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