[Dixielandjazz] Re: Cryogenic treatment for brass - more

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

I know a lot about metals also (I taught metalworking at a High school) and
was somewhat skeptical.  I think that freezing was a fad about five or six
years ago (maybe longer) and that some musicians were having it done mainly
to brass instruments.  I  saw an ad for it a couple of days ago on the net
while looking for a particular horn and that raised the question.  I just
never heard one way or another if it did anything.  I could see that it
would cause all your corks and pads to pop but probably wouldn't harm a
trumpet much..

I was just wondering if anyone had had it done on any instrument and what
the results were.  I wonder what effect gold plating the inside of the necks
of saxes would do other than prevent pitting and possibly minimize gunk
buildup.  I don't know if I could even tell if anything wax changed.  Again
I was wondering if anyone had it done.

Sometimes we as musicians think that something is great but really isn't.
Right now Mark VI alto saxes are going for $2375 - $4700 on e-bay which
means true believers still exist.
Thanks for your input

Larry Walton
St. Louis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Smith" <robert.smith at mitransport.no>
To: "Dixieland Jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 9:47 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Cryogenic treatment for brass


As a metallurgist I regard cryogenic treatment as highly unlikely to relieve
any residual stress in any metals or alloys. Sress-relieving ('tempering')
is done by increasing the temperature. Room temperature also relieves
residual stresses, but usually takes a long time (depending on the metal or
alloy). Lead for example tempers rapidly at room temperature, whereas brass
takes several decades before the effect is noticeable.
It would be impracticable to stress-relieve musical instruments because the
temperature involved would damage non-metallic parts including the lacquer.

Cheers

Bob Smith
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