Samples of old harsichord music wire that have been analysed are reportedly
exclusively brass (copper/zinc: between 7-30 percent zinc) or iron [Goodway
& Odell, Metallurgy of 17th and 18th Century Music Wire]. Phosphor bronze
has been used since the late 19th century, but any ideas why bronze
(copper/tin) without the phosphor wouldn't have made good music wire? Why
doesn't it appear to have been used in Europe?
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