Re: What are they?


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Posted by John Swensen on June 07, 2002 at 13:54:02:

In Reply to: What are they? posted by Clock Springs on June 07, 2002 at 12:30:51:

To Rick's comments I would add:
Wire springs are cheaper, lighter, and easier to replace than clock springs; the exposed wire springs dry quickly if they get wet, are easy to oil occasionally, and any damage or corrosion is readily visible.
Clockprings, when enclosed in barrels, must be disassembled to allow inspection, and can hold moisture and corrode secretly, waiting for an important solo or audition to break.

Some new clocksprings (on certain Russian-made tubas) have broken with only a few days of use, yet show no obvious evidence of corrosion or damage around the area of the fracture, but this is probably due to the use of inferior materials. High-quality, older, (probably German) clocksprings are likely to provide many years of trouble-free service, once they have been inspected and found to be free of corrosion.


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