Aluminum properties for musical instruments

[GyroCFI]

Ok, all you metalurgists out there...

I'm looking to find information on which type of metal would be good to be used in making parts for musical instruments. Specifically bridges for stringed instruments. Is there any aluminum that would transfer vibrations better than others? would other metals be more desirable than aluminum?

I have an aluminum bridge that was made by a guy near Oklahoma City. he apparently had some molds made and not sure if he poured it or had a foundry make them for him, but he has passed away several years ago and his family doesn't want to make them any more. I asked and they have given me permission to continue making them. I LOVE this bridge and it really makes my bass project out really well and is very adjustable.

the two pictures are the bridges I'm talking about, however the gray one has been modified from the original black style.

I have also seen a bridge made by a guy that appears to be some flat sheet aluminum that is made to the profile and then welded together which is the third pic.

Obviously making a flat bridge and welding the joint would probably be the easiest, but not sure it would yield the best results. And again I'm back to what metal would be the best choice for this.

Thanks !

 

[gyrojake]

Brass and gold are your two best conductors of sound made of metal.
Castings resonate better than forged metals also.
The proper alloy of aluminum should transfer sound well at the frequencies you generate.

Hard woods are great for low frequency sounds.
The wood has a richer sound .


Brass is great for high frequencies but has a tin sound at low frequencies.

I use a brass nut on my 12 string and it is much more crisp then the bone or plastic.

Here is some thing to look at
https://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/jom/0708/roncone-0708.html

 

[jcarleto]

Brass is good...steel or tin in a pinch. Gold, silver and platinum, if money is no object.

Aluminum is OK, but you can hear the difference. Also, aluminum is generally too soft for strings and tension devices that are often part of the instrument. It is likewise too brittle for rolled bells and the like. Also, in brass/woodwind implementations, it is tricky to attach to the other bits.